The front door to your home is often one of the first things that family members, guests, and
passersby notice. Even though it is such a focal point, many homeowners forget about it when renovating, flipping,
or designing their home for the first time. Rather than letting it be one of the last things you update, consider
placing it a bit higher on your priority list. By updating your front door to a wooden one, you gain the benefits
of:
5 Reasons to Buy Wooden Front Doors for Your Home
- Natural Beauty
- Durability
- Security
- Customization
- Return on Investment
Wooden front doors are elegant yet modern, sophisticated, and always impressive. They are often the perfect
complement to the unique architecture of your home. There’s no reason to settle for ordinary or boring when the door
to your home could place a smile on your face, instead.
5 Reasons to Buy Wooden Front Doors
1. Natural Beauty
When it comes to exterior and interior doors, there’s nothing that matches the natural
beauty of wood. Homes that boast a large entryway and elegant architectural work can capitalize on the look and feel
with double wooden front doors with glass. The natural beauty of wood is made even more elegant with inset glass
panels. Wooden front doors with sidelights also provide a heightened sense of elegance while allowing more light to
shine through to the interior of your home.
Wood doors with glass inserts and wooden
front doors with side panels both contribute to a stylish appearance. The natural beauty of the wood combined with
glass panels can help make the front of any home look distinguished and maximize the impact of your architectural
style.
Whether you decide on a
custom
door,
wooden
craftsman front doors, or carved wooden front doors, the wood grain—and chosen stain—will shine through and
create a sophisticated front entrance.
2. Durability
Choosing a
front door should
be done with several key components in mind, including the architectural style and amount of use the door will
receive. Exterior and front doors often serve as the primary entryway. This means you need a door that will stand up
against the elements, repeated use, foot traffic, and the passage of time.
Custom
wood doors made with expert craftsmanship can easily be on par with the quality of solid wood
mahogany doors.
Whether a single or double door, real wood provides durability that is only paralleled by metal doors.
If
you’re replacing an existing door or purchasing a new door for a high-traffic area, a
Dutch door can provide
the perfect mix of durability, functionality, and decoration. The solid wood bottom half provides exceptional wear
while the top half contains a decorative glass window or multiple glass pane patterns.
Homes with irregular door widths can take advantage of the Dutch door style with custom sizing and
measurements.
3. Security
Not only are wooden doors durable, but they’re also incredibly secure. A solid wood entry door
will present a significant barrier to any potential intruder. While some wood species are stronger and more durable
than others, a well-crafted solid wood door will present a level of security second only to a steel door.
Security is a significant concern these days, and though a fiberglass door will
generally provide enough protection, families with children might feel safer with an exterior wood door to create a
secure barrier.
Many families appreciate the look and safety of a wood entry door
combined with a wood sidelight with glass panels. Sidelights allow light in while minimizing potential intruders
breaking in, as opposed to a door that is mostly made of glass with a wood surround. Sidelights aren’t large enough
to allow a person to get inside, even if they break the glass.
4. Customization
One of the best features of wooden front entry doors is the fact that they can be
completely customized. Modern homes can benefit from contemporary wooden front doors while sprawling ranch houses
and farm homes look incredible with rustic wooden front doors. French chateau or Victorian homes can benefit from
white wooden front doors or wooden front doors with glass panels.
Mahogany wood
looks best with Mediterranean and Tudor-style homes. A
French door works
incredibly well with country French,
Colonial, and Victorian
houses. A rustic wood door design with glass inserts is ideal when matching the exterior of craftsman homes. Homes
that require a storm door for added protection against the elements can benefit from a glass patio door layered over
top a wooden door while still maintaining the same level of elegance and architectural adaptability.
No matter the style of your home, there are wooden front doors that will complete
the look and architectural feel you’ve created. Wooden front doors with glass fit nearly any home style, whether
you’re remodeling an old craftsman-style house or updating a newly built home with your personal style.
Double wooden
front doors can be made in a wide variety of styles, from double Dutch doors and French doors to exterior
doors with
sidelights
and
transom
windows. The only limit to the
types of doors
you install is your imagination and the architectural style of your home.
5. Return on Investment
There’s no doubt about it: wood doors have curb appeal like none other. When it
comes to getting the most out of your remodeling, renovation, or flipping investment, wood doors boost the overall
value of the home and help maintain that value for years to come. Wooden front doors, unlike other available
materials, maintain a timeless quality that retains its value over time as your house ages. If maintained, even old
wooden front doors can retain tremendous charm, elegance, and value.
Front wooden
doors for homes will always contribute to your home’s value. It doesn’t matter whether the front doors are small and
single-panel or large wooden front doors with sidelights. A well-maintained wood door can boost the curb appeal of
your home, whether it’s a front door, interior door, or wine cellar door.
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| BEFORE |
AFTER |
How to Take Care of Wooden Front Doors
Purchasing a wooden front door for your home is a great decision, but
one you shouldn’t make lightly. While these days wood doors are much easier to keep up and maintain, there are some
things you should know before investing in a new door.
Taking care of your wood
entry door is critical to its life span, but if you do it right, your door could easily last as long as the house
itself.
How to Clean Wooden Front Doors
Wooden front entry doors will need some TLC and cleaning from time to time,
especially if the door is regularly exposed to rain, snow, and wind. The more dirt, debris, and moisture that is
prone to accumulate around or on the door, the more frequently you should attend to its cleaning and maintenance. In
general, here are the steps you should take to keep your door clean and free of debris.
1. Gather Supplies
You’ll need several supplies, whether you’re dusting, removing stains,
or re-staining your door.
Standard items you’ll need include gloves, soft and clean
rags, a bucket with warm water, mild soap, and your chosen stain or varnish. You’ll also want a tarp or painter’s
cloth handy to lay down in order to prevent the stain from accidentally getting on the area around your door.
2. Dust
Do a daily or weekly check for cobwebs and dust around the corners and handle. Dust
this away with a duster or microfiber cloth to prevent buildup and staining.
3. Soap and Water
Once a month or more, if needed, use mild soap, warm water, and a
non-abrasive sponge to clean off stains, dirt, and water spots. Ideally, perform this cleaning as soon as you notice
a spot or area of buildup, as this will prevent staining and damage to the wood. Be sure to clean the front, sides,
and edges of the door.
4. Remove Stains
If your door endures a beating during a surprise storm, it’s important to
remove any staining right away. To do this, apply a few drops of mineral spirits to a soft cloth and wipe the stain
or build-up. Go in the direction of the grain. When finished, apply a bit of liquid furniture polish to the door
with a new clean, soft rag. Again, go in the direction of the grain.
How Do You Refresh a Wooden Front Door?
Wood doors, especially exterior doors, should be periodically
re-stained to maintain a protective seal against the elements. Protection from wind, dust, rain, and snow is
essential to keep your entry door in prime shape and safeguard against damage.
Before learning
how to stain a
wood door, you’ll need to clean the door. Wipe away any dust or debris and ensure you’re working with a
clean surface. If your door is particularly dirty, thoroughly clean it and allow it to fully dry before moving on to
the task of re-staining it.
Depending on the type of door, you’ll want to choose a
stain specifically for an exterior door or interior door. Pick a stain color that is made for your type of wood or
one that matches your décor and architecture. If applying varnish, first scrape or sand away any existing varnish
that is flaking before applying a fresh coat.
If you have wooden front doors with
windows, use painter’s tape to create a barrier and keep the glass from getting stained. When finished re-staining
the door, make sure it dries thoroughly before using the door as an entryway. Wet stains will stain
clothing.
Wooden Doors Provide Beauty and Function
Wooden doors look amazing on any type of house, no matter the
architectural style. These doors stand out on their own and contribute to the look of your home, thanks to the
natural beauty of stained or varnished wood. Their durability ensures years and years of use, no matter how much
foot traffic the entryway sees. Wood doors provide a significant level of security and are the next best thing after
steel doors for protection.
Thanks to the nearly limitless customization options,
wood doors can be placed in nearly any home and fit into any size entryway. They can be crafted to complement
Victorian homes, French chalets, rustic farmhouses, and Mediterranean villas. They are incredibly adaptable to any
style of home and create a significant return on investment. As long as they are properly maintained, wooden doors
retain their value and boost a home’s curb appeal, as well. When regularly cleaned and re-staining, the doors are
protected from weather and will rarely need replacing.
If you want your house to look like it’s ready for a magazine photoshoot or simply
want to boost its curb appeal for yourself and the neighbors, you can’t go wrong by installing a wooden front
door.
