One of the best ways to boost curb appeal and raise the value of your home is to replace your front door. In fact, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs Value report for 2024, replacing your front door ranks #2 in terms of getting a great return on your investment (second only to replacing your garage doors!). There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re in the market for a new front door. And because it’s one of the first things visitors to your home will see, you want your front door to be beautiful, sturdy, and to complement the style of your home. 

What Type of Door is Best for You?

Exterior doors generally come in three main types: wood, steel, and fiberglass. Each one has benefits and drawbacks.

Wood Doors

PROS

• Wood doors are warm and elegant. They can fit into any design and style, and they are always a classy choice.

• They come in a variety of wood types and designs. You can use anything from elegant teak wood to knotty oak–whatever suits your home’s style best.

• They’re durable and sturdy and last a long time.

• Wood can be shaved or otherwise modified to fit any size doorway.

• Wood is a great sound barrier, muffling traffic or other noise.

• They are also an eco-friendly choice.

CONS

• Wood doors do require some maintenance to keep them looking great. They need to be painted or stained, and regularly sealed.

• They’re not as energy-efficient as steel and fiberglass doors.

• In areas of high humidity, wood doors will eventually swell or warp.

• Wood doors are generally the most expensive option for your home.

Steel Doors

PROS

• Steel doors offer a high degree of security due to their strength and sturdiness.

• Steel doors are very energy-efficient. In fact, studies show that they can insulate your home up to five times better than wooden doors. This is because steel doors have an insulation foam core.

• There’s not a lot of maintenance needed with a steel door. The occasional paint touch-up is really all you’ll need to do to keep it looking its best.

• Steel doors can actually come with a wood grain pattern, giving you the look of a painted wood door with the durability of a steel one.

CONS

• Steel doors may eventually rust. This can be prevented by keeping them painted.

• They can also dent.

• Steel doors can’t be sanded or cut to fit the frame the way wood doors can. This makes precise measuring and careful installation a necessity.

Fiberglass Doors

PROS

• Fiberglass doors have a lot of similarities to steel doors, particularly in the area of energy efficiency. Like steel, fiberglass doors have a foam insulation core that helps regulate your home’s temperature.

• They are versatile–you can find a fiberglass door to complement any style of home from modern to traditional.

• They’re durable. Like steel, they can be dented. But overall, fiberglass doors are sturdy and strong. They won’t warp or swell, and unlike steel, they won’t rust.

• They’re low maintenance. Wipe with a damp cloth and your fiberglass door will be as good as new.

CONS

• Fiberglass doors generally cost more than steel doors. However, they are often less than solid wood doors.

• While they are secure, fiberglass doors can be broken more easily than steel or even solid wood. If you live in an area where break-ins are a threat, you may want a steel door instead.

• Whereas a steel door will give you around a 90% ROI, a fiberglass door will give you about 77%. This is still an excellent ROI–just a little less value.

Glass in the Front Door

Having glass panels in the front door allows light into the home and adds interest to the door. There are as many types of glass door features as there are styles of doors! Many homeowners are choosing privacy glass to balance the desire for light and a feeling of openness with a need for privacy.

Many popular door styles include glass panels either in the top quarter or top half of the door. Oval-shaped windows are an elegant choice. Modern doors often include narrow horizontal panels of glass placed all the way down the door. Glass can be frosted, wavy, etched, or clear. Doors that contain larger, single-panel windows can have blinds between two panes of glass, giving you the ability to raise and lower them as desired.

Double Doors, Transoms, and Sidelights

If the entrance to your home allows for double doors, count your lucky stars. Double doors are stately and elegant. Double doors give you a wider opening which is sometimes helpful and always appealing. They increase curb appeal and raise the value of your home, and they allow you to easily make a statement with your entryway.

Transoms are the horizontal window or architectural piece that runs over your single or double door. They are great for letting light in while maintaining privacy, and they also add a lot of visual interest to your door. If you have a solid front door without any glass, a transom will elevate the style. If your entry doesn’t have a transom window, they can be installed fairly easily and will look good with just about every style of home.

Sidelights are the narrow vertical windows that run alongside doors. They are usually on both sides of the door but where space is a concern, they may just be along one side. They are generally installed at the same time as the front door because they share a bottom sill or threshold. Sidelights can be clear or frosted glass and generally have the same look as the door itself. They’re great for letting in more light and for making the entryway more interesting.

Color

Unless you’ve chosen to stain a wooden door, you’ll need to decide on a paint color for your front door. Generally, you want it to both complement and contrast with the rest of your home’s exterior. Darker colors like navy and black can look dramatic and elegant while brighter colors like red or yellow look welcoming and cheerful. 

Traditional, can’t-go-wrong colors include black, white, red, deep navy, and dark green. But don’t be afraid to try a pop of color if you want to: golden yellow, deep teal, or even a pale pink might look great!

Screen Doors and Storm Doors

You may want to add a screen door or storm door to your entryway. While these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually serve different purposes. Screen doors allow you to open your front door and enjoy a breeze while keeping bugs and animals out. Storm doors are made of strong glass and are used to protect your door and home from weather. They add an extra layer of insulation for your home and keep rain and snow off your front door. Sometimes a storm door will have a glass panel that can be lowered to reveal the screen behind it, making it do double duty as both a screen and storm door.

Lots to Think About

If you need some help making decisions about upgrading your entryway, or if you’re in the market for a home renovation or addition, we’re ready to help! Remodeling can help you enjoy your home more and make it a better fit for you and your family. BOLT Builders serves the Virginia, Maryland, and DC area and we have the expertise you need to feel great about your remodeling decisions. Contact us today and let us get started making your home perfect for you.