Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Home Entry Door Styles

Stylish home entry door with glass inserts


Savvy homeowners know a stylish front entry door enhances the curb appeal of your home. A door style can be defined by its size, composition, configuration or surface material--your choices are virtually unlimited. Does this Spark an idea?


Size


Main entry doors are typically 36 inches wide and 6 feet 8 inches to 8 feet high. Narrower doors are available, but under 30 inches is inadvisable--passageways must be wide enough to accommodate the movement of furniture and other large household items.


Composition


Typically, home entry doors are either wood (oak, mahogany, walnut, birch or pine), fiberglass (wood grain or smooth texture), steel (smooth texture) or the combination of several of these materials.


Surface


Flush, paneled (moldings or recesses), glass insert, or panel-and-window combinations are some of the home entry door styles available. Paneled doors have anywhere from one to 10 panels and can be arch-topped, straight or rounded.


Configuration


Single or French doors (double doors), with the use of optional transoms, and sidelights (right, left or both) are a sampling of some home entry door configurations. Sidelights and transoms supply a good source of light into a foyer; and French doors provide a spacious, elegant appearance.


Inserts


Inserts can be as minimal as a glass fan-shape on the upper quarter of the door, to that of a full-glass door. Available as rectangular or oval shaped, glass is offered as clear, obscured, stained, beveled, decorative or patterned. Inserted grilles or muntins, brass or nickel caming or wrought iron are other options.







Tags: entry door, home entry door, entry doors, French doors, home entry