Front Door Ideas and Styles
1 What Type of Door Configuration Are You Looking for?
When choosing your new front door, you’ll start by selecting the door configuration. Would you prefer a single door or double doors? Would you like one with sidelights (glass panels on the sides of a door) or a transom (single panel above a door)?
You can choose from in-stock doors or customize a special-order door to fit your home perfectly. You can also choose a slab door, which is just the door panel, or a pre-hung frame, which includes the door frame as well.
2 Choose Your Door Style
Next, you’ll need to select a door style that compliments the look of the front of your home. There are many styles to choose from, including traditional, contemporary, modern farmhouse, and even craftsman designs. Depending on the style you choose, your door may include a large or smaller glass feature.
3 Choose Your Glass Design
Once you've established your door material, and depending on the style you've chosen, it's time to choose the glass. Glass designs range from simple and delicate to intricate and ornate, and are generally the most impactful design feature of a door. You can go with a single pane ("lite"), or choose a style with a grille that divides smaller panes of glass.
4 Choose Your Door Material
The three main door materials are fibreglass, steel and wood. Compare the characteristics of each to see which one meets your needs:
5 Make a Statement With Colour
Colour is a great way to personalize your door. With a variety of stain and paint options to choose from, you can opt for traditional black or white, match your door to your home's exterior, or go bold with a complementary pop of colour.
6 Lower Home Energy Costs
Most exterior doors carried at The Home Depot qualify for the Energy Star® rating*, with features like double or triple-pane glass with a low-emission coating and argon gas-filled glazing to significantly reduce heat loss and drafts. They also boast durable PVC door sweeps and foam-filled polyurethane cores for stable insulation.
*Rating may vary by region. Consult the Energy Star® website for more details.
7 Consider the Swing of Your Front Door
Consider the swing direction of your door when installing it and remember, there really isn’t a right or wrong way. If it swings inward, the hinges will be on the inside of your home, which is technically safer. You’ll need to make sure that you have enough clearance though. If not, your door can swing outward, but again, you’ll need to make sure you have enough clearance on the outside of your home for it to open unobstructed.
8 Take Measurements
Special Order exterior doors are manufactured to the size you order, ensuring a perfect fit for your renovation.
Here are some tips for measuring your front door:
1. Height
Measure the opening of the doorway vertically from the floor to the top of the door jamb.
2. Width
Measure the width of the doorway horizontally 3 times, top, middle and near the bottom. If the measurements vary, use the shortest distance.
3. Jamb
Measure the width of the door jamb, edge to edge distance of one of the sides of the door frame.
Have your installer double check their measurements before ordering your door to eliminate any surprises during the installation process.
9 Enhance Your Curb Appeal with Finishing Touches
Once your door is installed and painted or stained, you can personalize it with trim, hardware and other front-entrance accessories to increase your home's curb appeal. For a coordinated look, choose the same finish (e.g. brushed nickel) for your doorknob, hinges, handleset, mailbox and house numbers.
