How to Pick a Front Door that’s Perfect for Your Home

Your front door is an important feature of any home. It welcomes guests and serves as one of the focal points of any exterior.

It also needs to be tough. The sun will beat down on it and the rain will soak it. And if you live in a place with four seasons, the snow and ice will do its worst.

On top of all that, it has to keep the heat and the cold out so you stay cool in summer and warm in winter.

Needless to say, shopping for a door can get complicated. Here’s how to pick a front door that does everything you need, but looks beautiful, too.

How to Pick a Front Door: 3 Steps

These steps will lead you to the perfect front door.

1. Determine What You Need

Are you replacing your front door for looks, or are you doing it for practical reasons (i.e. the framing is rotting, or you need a door that insulates better)?

If you just want a different door style, you can probably remove the old door and hang another in its place. If you need a new frame, too, you can buy doors pre-hung, which hang on hinges in a frame with weather stripping. You can also buy a door replacement kit if you plan on replacing your door and frame yourself.

2. Choose the Right Door Materials

Depending on where you live, the security you need, and the climate you live in, the right front door material will be unique for your situation.

If you’re looking for beauty and durability and don’t mind a higher cost, a solid wood door offers all of the above. However, it may need to be refinished over the years.

If you need a cost-effective option, a steel door is your cheapest bet. It also won’t warp and will provide a ton of security.

For harsh climates, a fiberglass composite door is the most durable for the weather changes. This option can mimic other door materials like wood as far as looks, but won’t require any maintenance.

3. Consider the Style

The last piece of the puzzle is choosing the right style of door for your home.

To start, look at your home’s architecture, and consider when it was built. Do you own an old farmhouse? A midcentury build? Or is your home a new, contemporary construction?

Does your home have a minimal, modern style, or does it have exterior details like decorative trim, shutters, corbels, or a pitched roof? The front door you choose should echo your home’s overall look.

For instance, if you live in a century-old farmhouse, a solid wood door with decorative molding or glass would add to the character your house already has.

Choose a Front Door that Completes Your Home

Think of your front door as the final piece that completes your home’s look and feel. It should fit right in, but it should also provide durability, security, and insulation. These are the keys to a door that will last for years.