| When picking a front door for your house, for either | | | | 3. Glass - There are an endless number of glass |
| a new home or to replace the one on your current | | | | combinations that are available. The amount and type |
| house, there are some key items to consider. | | | | of glass that you choose will have a large impact on |
| Technology has provided us many different styles | | | | the price of your front door. Owners will usually |
| and designs to choose from, so here are 5 things to | | | | choose from a half-glass or full glass model with |
| consider when picking a new front door. | | | | sidelights to match. Another important factor is |
| 1. Size - When building a new home, you usually have | | | | privacy when choosing glass. Choose what you like |
| the ability to choose a standard 6'8" front door or | | | | the best - the more glass in the door, the more light |
| you may have the room to do an 8'0" front door (or | | | | it will let into your house. |
| even taller). Just because a door is taller does not | | | | 4. Hardware - You will want to know what finish your |
| mean that it is going to be visually appealing, so be | | | | door handle is going to be because you will want |
| sure to think about scale when making your selection. | | | | your hinges to match. Schlage makes very good |
| You can also choose how wide you would like your | | | | handsets without being overly expensive. If doing an |
| door to be. Most front doors are 3'0" wide and have | | | | 8'-0" high door, it is highly suggested that you do a |
| one or two sidelights that may be 12" or 14" each. | | | | three point locking system on the door. This will cost |
| The width of your foyer area will determine how | | | | extra money but it is vital in getting the door to latch |
| wide your door can be. | | | | properly over time. |
| 2. Materials - The material used in construction is the | | | | 5. Finishing - Paint or Stain, that is generally the |
| #1 determinant in the price of a front door. Steel, | | | | question. If you are doing a steel door, you will want |
| Fiberglass (stained to look like wood), and real wood | | | | to paint both sides of the door. If you are doing a |
| doors are all options that you will find in the | | | | fiberglass composite door, you have the option of |
| marketplace. Steel is generally going to be the | | | | staining or painting your front door. Some owners will |
| cheapest type of door. They look good, but if you | | | | stain one side of the door and paint the other. When |
| get a ding in it, there is little than you can do to fix it. | | | | using a real wood door, it is most common to stain |
| Fiberglass composite doors are a product of | | | | the door. If you stain the door, make sure you put |
| technology. They are durable and hold up to the | | | | several clear coats over the stain to seal the door. |
| elements very well. Real wood doors (oak, cherry, | | | | The front door of your house has a big impact on |
| mahogany, knotty alder - etc) can be very visually | | | | the curb appeal and first impression of those visiting |
| appealing. The fact that they are wood means they | | | | your house. Take your time, do your research, and |
| contract and expand with the weather. This also | | | | choose a door that fits your personality and the |
| means they will work great one day and may not | | | | character of your home. |
| work very well the next day. | | | | |