First Things First Begins at the Front Door

Published: April 10, 2020

When it comes to choosing just what kind of front door you want to buy, there is one absolute rule: Buy whatever door makes you truly happy. This is a good rule, and you should always follow it! Still, there are some special factors to consider when you are buying a new front door.

In every home the front door is special. That is where the realm of the house and home socially, and culturally, begin. This is where the building stops being just a pile of wood and concrete and becomes an extension and reflection of the people that live inside it. When a guest or visitor shows up for the very first time, it is almost always at the front door. When a groom is inclined to carry his new bride across the threshold, its not the garage door he has in mind (unless he happens to be very, very proud of his garage and his new bride is similarly inclined or exceptionally understanding). The front door matters.

So when you are shopping for a new front door the style of that door matters quite a bit. In most cases, you will want to think about a more formal or traditional style. Again, this might not always reflect your own sensibilities. Maybe you're more casual or trendy. Consider carefully before going that direction with your front door. You want your front door to make a great first impression, even when you might not always be able to.

What exactly qualifies as traditional will be influenced by the architectural style of your home. Your Front Door should match that style, or at least not be too far removed from it. Visually, the front of your home is the part that people will most often see, either when they are visiting or just passing by. This matters in considering what sort of impression your home creates based on its style and the elements you add to it. The front door is a big part of that for the obvious reason that it's up front. You might be inclined to pick a style of front door that clashes with the rest of the house to add some visual interest, but be careful of that impulse. You want people to look at your home because they like what they see, not because they can't believe what they are looking at.

Balancing the importance of the front door with the style of your home can seem to be daunting, but it actually is not too difficult. In most cases, as I mentioned, a more formal style of door will do the job very well. At Estate Millwork we offer the raised panel doors as an excellent, formal style that makes a very good choice. Especially if your home is more elaborate and detailed. Victorian and Tudor homes really do need raised panel doors to be complete.

A more spartan style like Colonial, Ranch, or Cape Cod could use a flat panel style of front door. Formal and classical, yes, but not overdone. A flat panel door works very well for most any front door, as will a French door for that matter. Though, with French doors, do not choose a style that uses too much glass, as privacy and security are a more pressing concern at the front door. Louvers also tend to be a problem for that reason, and while they make excellent inner doors, as a front door a louvered style tends to be rare for a reason.

More strongly artistic styles with regional feels tend to work well with mission or custom doors. A Pueblo Revival does very well with a solid custom door consisting of thick wood beams, for example.

As always, follow your own taste when you choose a front door. Just make sure you show the world that you do, in fact, have some taste, and choose something that makes a good first impression. And a solid, well crafted wooden door from Estate Millwork will do just that.