You should think of your front door as the key to your home's curb appeal. Since the front door is such a focal point and one of the first impressions that people will have of your home, those building custom homes tend to splurge for a unique front door that will make a statement.
Since choosing front doors for custom homes can be a daunting task, we wanted to share several factors to consider to help you make the best choice:
Types of Front Door Materials
Front doors primarily come in three materials: fiberglass, steel, and wood. While there are advantages to all three of these materials, they all have their weaknesses as well.
Fiberglass
There's much more to consider for the main entry door to your home than just the material that the door is made out of. Here are some features to keep an eye out for when selecting a front door:
Adjustable Threshold
An adjustable threshold will help to keep your door weather-tight over time. Without this feature, you would likely end up needing to add a sweep to your door to keep out air drafts and rain.
Glass
Glass inserts are a very desirable feature to add to your front door. However, if you purchase a front door with glass either near the door knob or with glass sidelights, you'll probably want to consider a double-cylinder deadbolt lock for safety reasons. While glass elements in your front entry can look attractive, it's important to note that it can take away from the insulation value.
Rails and Stiles
Rails and stiles are the horizontal and vertical aspects that brace a wood door. Because solid wood rails have a tendency to warp over time, it's best to look for rails made of laminated wood that have been covered with veneer.
We invite you to take a look at our online portfolio for front door inspiration from some of the custom homes that we've built around Central Florida. You can also contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about factors to consider when choosing the best front door for your home.
- Pros: A practical choice with options for both a smooth surface or an embossed wood-grain texture. Fiberglass doors can be painted or stained, and they hold up better to wear and tear than steel doors.
- Cons: Fiberglass doors have a tendency to crack if confronted with severe impact.
- Pros: About half of the homes on the market today offer steel front doors as they're more economical, but can also handle the security needs of pricer fiberglass and wood doors. In addition, steel doors are very low maintenance and are very energy efficient.
- Cons: Steel doors don't withstand harsh weather conditions in the way that fiberglass and wood doors can. Also, dents and scratches can be challenging to fix.
- Pros: Solid wood doors provide the high-end look that everything else tries to mimic. They can handle wear and tear well, and scratches are easy to fix.
- Cons: Wood doors happen to be one of the most expensive options for a front door. Additionally, they require regularly painting to look their best.
There's much more to consider for the main entry door to your home than just the material that the door is made out of. Here are some features to keep an eye out for when selecting a front door:
Adjustable Threshold
An adjustable threshold will help to keep your door weather-tight over time. Without this feature, you would likely end up needing to add a sweep to your door to keep out air drafts and rain.
Glass
Glass inserts are a very desirable feature to add to your front door. However, if you purchase a front door with glass either near the door knob or with glass sidelights, you'll probably want to consider a double-cylinder deadbolt lock for safety reasons. While glass elements in your front entry can look attractive, it's important to note that it can take away from the insulation value.
Rails and Stiles
Rails and stiles are the horizontal and vertical aspects that brace a wood door. Because solid wood rails have a tendency to warp over time, it's best to look for rails made of laminated wood that have been covered with veneer.
We invite you to take a look at our online portfolio for front door inspiration from some of the custom homes that we've built around Central Florida. You can also contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about factors to consider when choosing the best front door for your home.
