Perhaps more than any other structure in a house, the entry door of your St. Louis home says a lot about the character of the overall house and the personality of those living inside. A door that’s outdated, visually unappealing, or mismatched from a home’s style will take away from the overall beauty of the home. However, the right door can boost your home’s curb appeal and generate a welcoming entrance for guests.
As is the case with most remodeling tasks, choosing entry doors can seem like a massive endeavor. But it doesn’t have to; prioritizing in the areas below can help make it much less daunting.
Aesthetic Appeal and Style
Your entry door can range from a basic rectangle shape to a large double-hung door, with sidelights, grand steps leading up to it, and dramatic decorative moldings. It’s always best to use your home’s overall architectural style as a guide: a small bungalow on the coast and a desert style house will require very different doors.
Questions to ask:
- Does the architecture of my home call for a specific style of door?
- How basic or grand should my entry doors appear?
- Do I prefer a wooden look to the door or will be painted to match elements such as the siding of your home?
Functional Needs
The second area is your entry door must serve your functional requirements. These are usually establishing privacy, creating security, and blocking the outside elements. For example, glass entry doors may look great; they don’t make sense for a home facing close to a busy road.
Questions to ask:
- What are my privacy needs?
- What are the climate conditions the door will endure?
- Is energy efficiency an important factor?
Budget
The price of your entry door will range based on what it’s made of, as will its size, windows, and molding details. Entry doors can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Questions to ask:
- What’s my budget?
- What features are “must-haves” and which are optional?
- What warranties might be available?
Selecting an entry door can be a big decision. If you’re still not sure, give contact Lakeside Renovation & Design to discuss your options or to get a free quote. For more information visit our Doors Center Resource page. We offer a range of top-quality entry doors, made from solid wood, stock wood, Fiberglass-Composite, Aluminum, and steel.