Front Door Upgrades to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Your front door is one of the first things visitors notice when they arrive, so make sure you make it count. Furthermore, an attractive exterior door is one of the best ways to welcome family and friends.
Not only will you impress your guests, but it’ll boost your home’s curb appeal too. Read on to see how you can refresh or upgrade your front door this weekend!
What are the front door materials that are commonly used?
Fiberglass, wood, steel, and iron are materials that exterior doors are made of. A wide range of architectural designs are available, ranging from contemporary to old-world styles.
Fiberglass
Quality fiberglass doors are almost indistinguishable from solid wood doors. They usually feature wood grain finishes, natural markings, and knot details of natural wood.
Wood
Natural wood is always an attractive option for an entry door. A wide range of wood species and finishes are available.
Steel
Front doors made of steel are strong, durable, and a secure choice for your entryway. This type of door is also budget-friendly and easy to maintain, making steel a smart choice.
Iron
Quality forged wrought iron doors may feature handmade decorative scrolls, vented glass panels, and durable, powdered coated finishes.
Additionally, some exterior doors’ extras’ include decorative glass designs and accents.
Which paint color is best to upgrade my front door?
A beautifully painted door is a budget-friendly way to add a unique touch to your entrance. In addition, this type of project can usually be completed in one weekend!
Start by choosing a paint color that highlights your home’s exterior and style.
Choose a light color if your entrance is covered or shaded most of the day. If your front door sees plenty of sunlight, a medium to dark color is a good choice. Although a front door is considered a focal point, it’s essential that every element works well together.
Blues
- Dark Blue: A front door painted in a rich, pigmented blue is subtle and yet bold at the same time. If you plan to transition your front door color to your interiors, dark blue is a good choice.
- Navy Blue: Like your favorite blue jeans, a classic navy blue is a neutral and versatile shade with plenty of eye appeal. A door painted in navy blue looks great, highlighting a white exterior.
- Teal Blue: A jewel-tone teal blue front door will liven up any entryway. Bold with a seaside feel, a teal blue adds a bright pop of color and blends well with neutral-toned exteriors.
Greens
- Dark Green: Elegant and mysterious, a deep green front door makes a dramatic statement and works well with most exterior home shades.
- Earth Green: If you wish to highlight your yard and surrounding landscape, an earth green front door provides a perfect backdrop.
- Muted Green: Painting your door a muted green, like sage green, adds a restful, soothing vibe to an entryway. Like earth green, a muted green provides the perfect accent to your yard and landscape.
Off-white and light colors
- Off-white: Timeless and versatile, a coat of off-white, cream, or light tan, imparts a calming, monochromatic effect. Furthermore, it works well with dark exterior siding to create a bold contrast.
- Pale Coral or Light Pink: For modern, cheery appeal, a coat of paint in light coral or pink will add a happy accent to your entrance. Pale coral and pink work especially well with a white exterior.
Reds
- Bold Red: If you’re looking for a focal point, a bold red door fits the bill. A red front door is a great way to add accent color without going overboard.
- Clay Red: If you like red, but prefer a red that’s a little more subdued, consider clay red. A warm, earthy red or terra cotta will brighten your door and entice visitors to enter.
What can I do to refresh my front door and make it look nicer?
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford says, “Upgrading the impression your front door gives the world can be accomplished for as little as a few hundred dollars. It’s really a matter of dressing up what you have with some strategic replacements and additions.”
With this in mind, here are three ways to upgrade your home’s front door and entryway to make it look new again.
Sanding, repainting, or revarnishing
Over the years, your new door may begin to look worn from exposure to the weather. The paint on wood or fiberglass doors may fade or chip due to sun damage or extreme temperatures.
A varnished or stained door will also need attention. Here’s how to bring your wood door back to life:
- Begin by removing the door from the hinges.
- Then, thoroughly sand away the existing paint, stains, or varnish.
- Apply a coat of primer and let dry.
- Once the primer has dried, brush on two coats of quality exterior paint while lightly sanding the surface between each coat.
- Lastly, apply a coat of polyurethane to protect the finish.
*Paint, stain, or varnish the door in a shaded location and when outdoor temperatures are mild.
Upgrading entry door hardware
Your entry door hardware, such as lockset, kickplate, or door knocker, may tarnish and fade over time. Switch out your door hardware for a new look.
First, remove the lockset and measure the door holes to ensure the new lockset will fit. Then, choose a style that will complement your door and home exterior as well as providing security.
Three of the most popular lockset configurations:
- Door handle with a keyed lock
- Door handle, lock, with a separate deadbolt lock
- Connected door handle and deadbolt lock
Door handle styles include:
- A “D” shaped handle
- Round handle
- Lever handle
Adding a kickplate
Adding a kickplate to the bottom of your door protects it from bumps and scuff marks. They also add an upscale feel to your entrance.
Kickplates are available in several finishes, including dark bronze, oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass, satin stainless steel, pewter, and antique nickel. So, if you plan to replace your lockset, choose a kickplate with a matching finish.
However, the best kickplates are ones made of solid brass and have a clear protective finish for protection against corrosion and tarnish.
Measure your door before you buy and choose a kickplate that is at least 2 inches shorter than the width. This ensures that the kickplate won’t get in the way of door trim and weather-stripping. For example, a 36-inch wide door requires a 34-inch wide kickplate.
There are many other ways to spruce up your front door and curb appeal. For example, you could add or refresh existing outdoor lighting fixtures, add a doormat, install a doorknocker, or set up container plants on either side of the door.
