front doors: help a homeowning newbie out
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Anonymous
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First time coming to this forum. We bought our first home over a year ago, and even then the front door was not in good condition. Recently, it seems to be uttering its death knells, so we need to be on the market for a new door and/or storm door.
I don't really know what style my home is--realtor said Dutch colonial, but not sure--it looks something like this (not really, but the closest I could find just now): http://www.searshomes.org/index.php/tag/dutch-colonial-kit-house/ As for the door, I've always liked modern decor, and I also like that these MCM doors lets in a good amount of light. Also, and I feel silly, I'd like our dog to be able to look out (he gets great enjoyment from watching the goings-on in the neighborhood). http://www.houzz.com/photos/2205957/Arlington-Ridge-modern-entry-dc-metro http://www.houzz.com/photos/535897/Cavalcanti-Entry-Porch-modern-porch-dc-metro Would something similar to these doors be really tacky on a 1940 home? If so, any other recommendations? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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If your home is a Dutch Colonial, and that's what it looks like, I really think those doors are not consistent and are not a good pick. It would be very jarring.
If you want something more modern that gives a good light how about something like this: http://www.houzz.com/photos/71525/Front-Doors-of-Dutch-Colonial-eclectic-exterior-other-metro It's a double door here but you get the idea. |
Anonymous
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Sorry, OP. It sounds as though you ended up in a house that's not really your style, but you won't like it better if you tack on things that are your style.
You can probably fudge things with a door like this: http://ogtstore.com/architectural-antiques/antique-doors/antique-entry-doors/beveled-glass-french-entry-door.html (don't buy the old one; have House of Doors make a new one for you) |
Anonymous
| OP, please, get a traditional door that matches the house, and then do whatever you want with the interior. Like pp said, those doors are not going to look good on your house. |
Anonymous
| I agree with PPs, those aren't the right fit for your house and will look bad. The doors that they suggested are better, but a panel door would be best. Do you have sidelights the dog could look out of? A chair in front of a window? |
Anonymous
| You could get a traditional door and an all glass storm door, then leave the primary door open so the dog can look out the storm door. ... At least when you're home. |
Anonymous
| Why not get a door with sidelights? That's enough window for a dog. |
Anonymous
Door with sidelights and transom |
Anonymous
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Hi all, OP here. Thanks for the suggestions--guess I won't get a modern door, oh well. I'll probably just go with a PP's suggestion to get an all glass storm door, and go with a more traditional main door like PP at 10:57 suggested.
Another question--I would still at least like to give the front some pep with a bit of color. Right now, shutters and door are black. What are the "in" colors for doors right now? Something that's current, but not so trendy that we'll be kicking ourselves in a couple years for painting our front door such an atrocious color. We could go standard with like a dark red, but any other options? Dark blue? Medium blue? Periwinkle (blue/purple)? I thought of a muted orange, but I think it'd look like a Halloween house with the black shutters. Thanks again for any suggestions! |
Anonymous
| God. Do what you like. You don't have an HOA and you can swap in a replacement door from a tear down somewhere down the street when it's time to sell. |
Anonymous
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OP,
For an exterior door with glass, check out the companies on the TW Perry website: https://www.twperry.com/MainSite/Store1/Content/SiteContent/1/main/home/specialorders.aspx You'll find something with glass so your dog can look out and that will meet your aesthetic, e.g.: http://www.simpsondoor.com/find-a-door/?view=detail&doorType=Exterior&BaseSpecificationID=3417&architecturalGroup=All#DoorDetail In terms of colors for the shutters, figure out what color door you'll get. |
Anonymous
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Thanks, PP. OP again. We're pretty clueless--we've never once watched HGTV, and I looked on Houzz a bit when we first moved in but that was over a year ago. Both busy working FT w/kids under 5, so not much time for home projects (not to mention, limited budget, so we're planning on doing small improvements here and there). But, I really think this front door is now on its last leg, so would love to decide on something relatively quickly.
Another embarrassing detail re: front door--one of the sidelights looks directly into a coat closet, which was added at some point by a prior owner. The dog can't get to the other sidelight because right now it's blocked by an entryway bench, which we use frequently and would prefer to keep. What should I do with the sidelights in this situation? Fill them in (I've seen that on a couple homes)? |
Anonymous
PP, of the list of door companies on the TW Perry website, are any of them known as making especially high quality, weather-resistant doors? |
Anonymous
Definitely. Also regarding the side transoms, you can replace with tinted or textured glass. In terms of the bench that you use, you may want to find a smaller piece of furniture that functions the same way. I got a single ottoman with a slow-close lid for my kids to store and put on their shoes. You can put up hooks if your bench is the tall kind with that. |
Anonymous
NP here. Not sure where you live, but TW Perry has a showroom in Chevy Chase (maybe at the Gaithersburg location, too) where you can see some doors and get some help. They don't only serve contractors. We bought our front door there (solid wood from Rogue Valley - special order through TW), and did a DIY install (my husband is a good carpenter but I'm guessing you don't want to go that route). I think TW Perry can recommend contractors as well. |