Updating your property with a front door style that complements your home’s exterior is a quick way to increase curb appeal, add value to your home, and even update the security of your home.
This article will review common front door styles used in remodeling and construction today. From wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, and glass, we’ll review the pros and cons of each style and clue you in on what you need to know before you purchase.
Front Door Styles
There are many front door styles to choose from, but according to DIY Network, many people are choosing to update their entry door choose from one of these trending door styles.
Traditional
Traditional front doors are your standard entry doors and feature raised panels. There may be between 2 and 12 raised panels in a door. These doors may also feature glass inserts. Traditional doors are easily available, and many come pre-hung for easy installation.
Craftsman
Craftsman style doors have grown in popularity in recent years. Featuring sleek, straight lines, these doors look fantastic on many homes, from cottages to mountain retreats. Craftsman doors have a shaker-inspired look. They often have 2-3 panels, but are mostly solid. Adding windows for more light helps update the door even more, but may increase the price tag a bit as well.
Modern
Often looking like a door from a 1960s mid-century home, modern style doors are sleek and minimalistic. These contemporary door styles have increased in popularity with Millenials and other generations seeking a more modern, updated look that matches the minimalistic feel inside.
Rustic
Generally heavier, bulkier and made of solid wood, rustic doors convey a sense of “you’re not getting in unless I want you to”.
Due to the weight, they are generally accompanied by heavy-duty hardware. You’ll find these rectangle or arched doors on beautiful cabins and older homes, when the owners want to instill a sense of history and steadfastness to the residence or building.
Front Door Materials
Front door styles come in a variety of front door materials. Each has its own pros and cons, and some materials work better for some entry way door styles than others.
Wood
Wood doors are seen on a variety of homes and work with almost any front door style that you choose. Generally heavier, bulkier and made of solid wood, rustic doors convey a sense of “you’re not getting in unless I want you to”. Wood doors are seen on a variety of homes and work with almost any front door style that you choose.
Pros
1 – Versatile – works with any door styleSolid wood entry doors are easily customizable – from size, to shape, to adding windows and sidelights
2 – Typically these doors are heavy-duty and sturdy – making them harder to break into
3 – Can be painted or stainedVaries in price from economy priced to more expensive for more luxurious or highly sought after wood grain patterns
4 – Easy to repair scratchesSolid wood doors, with proper upkeep, can last 100 or more years
5 – Look great with sidelights
Cons
1 – Should be placed on a home where the front door entrance is in a shaded or protected area.
2 – Direct sunlight can fade the stain on wooden doors, but this is true of most materials.
3 – May shift, change, warp with fluctuating weather
Fiberglass
Fiberglass offers a low-maintenance, economy option that many homebuilders and homeowners enjoy.
Pros
1 – Easy to install
2 – Have a longer warranty period than many wood or steel doors
3 – Work well in extreme climates
4 – Can have a wood-grain texture to mimic the feel of a wood door
5 – Resist weather, scratches, and dents
6 – Fiberglass doors last over 100 years, like wood doors
7 – Provide terrific insulating capability and may help lower heat or air loss
8 – Usually available pre-hung for easy installation.
Cons
1 – Cheaper fiberglass doors can be hollow and will not hold over over the long term. Solid fiberglass doors are more durable, and are also more costly.
Steel
One of the most energy-efficient doors available.
Pros
1 – Many boast tighter-fitting frames and core insulation to increase energy efficiency
2 – Some steel entry door models with windows use double or triple-panel glass to reduce heat transfer
3 – Shrink-resistant, swell-resistant, and warp-resistant – this door does well in all climates
4 – Low-maintenance
5 – Can come pre-primed and ready to paint
6 – More insulation than wood doors
7 – Sturdy
Cons
1 – These doors can dent and require a handyman technique, including stripping the paint, to repair.
2 – Do not pair with an aluminum storm door
Aluminum
Aluminum may not be the best choice for a front door on a residential property, as they often require custom orders, are pricey, and generally come with a 20-year warranty.
Pros
1 – Baked on enamel finish
2 – Usually includes a 20-year warranty
Cons
1 – Aluminum door prices start around $600, the most expensive choice after solid wood
2 – Aluminum style doors do not rush, but they can pit, causing the powder coat finish to become damaged
Glass
Glass doors are an option if you want a lot of light and don’t need a lot of privacy.
Pros
1 – Allow a lot of natural light
2 – Can make a small space feel more open
Cons
1 – Do not naturally allow for privacy, but can be paired with blinds or curtains to help this
2 – Can be drafty – not the most energy-efficient choice in many areas, Energy Star classifies glass doors as a type of window.
There are a few classic colors that don’t go out of style, including white doors with a brick exterior or a more traditional stained wood look.
Front Door Color Ideas
Choosing a front door color that won’t immediately go out of style can be a consideration when updating your home’s exterior.
Your front door color scheme can be monochromatic, analogous, complementary, or even feature a triangle palette, depending on your tastes and color preferences. Have no idea what any of that means?
Check out the graphic below from Thermatru.com to help you identify the color palette of your home’s exterior.
Making Your Exterior Door Color Count
Want in on the latest trending colors? Check out this great post on exterior door colors by interior designer, Kylie M. Navy is a terrific color that can be steadfast through color trends, and classic, all at the same time.
Keep in mind, depending on the front door material you choose, you may need to paint some door materials more often than others.
Make sure to choose a door color based on your home’s color palette and your lifestyle.
For example, have kids and pets?
You may want to stay away from white. White doors will showcase every muddy paw print and all your kids’ beloved fingerprints.
Have a farmhouse?
Farmhouse doors can be any color, but many people go with a classic shade of blue or teal, modeling looks found in the French countryside.
Curb Appeal
Updating your front door is a quick way to update the curb appeal of your home, without investing a lot. Curb appeal modifications, along with kitchen and bath updates, offer a high ROI on remodel projects when preparing to stage or sell a home.
If you are considering renting out your home or selling in the future, choosing a front door than can be easily painted may be a upsell for your tenant or homebuyer.
Summary
There are many things to consider when choosing a new front door – from lifestyle (how busy is your life?), to door materials, to security, to your personal style, to your home’s color palette, to which doors can be easily painted, and yes, even price – all these things should be considered when you are looking to update your home and increase the curb appeal with your front door.
If all that sounds a little overwhelming, we’d like to help. Our expert team can help you determine the best front door for your entry space. Click HERE to have one of our team members contact you.
Considering updating your windows as well? Check out our article: “10 Most Common Window Installation Mistakes” and avoid costly mistakes in your installation process.
