Front Door - Creating That Illusive View From The Curb

2. Creating that all important first impression that guests, visitors or even passersby see is so crucial to many homeowners but it requires a lot of hard work and artistic skill in transforming the visual appearance of the front of the house. The first impression is often crucial especially when trying to sell the property. Indeed a welcoming porch or entrance can add to the value of the house. This is why so many people invest so heavily in creating the right impression by trying so hard to create an ambiance and welcoming impression to the entrance of their home. After all a welcoming entrance along with a carefully planned feature will do wonders for a visitor or potential buyers first impression.

3. Today modern housing in the city’s suburbs and in towns and villages are built to maximize the efficient use of the land that builders have available to them. This means that builders will need to plan their projects to meet not only the requirements of their potential customers but also the planning regulators. Of course they will also need to make a profit. Therefore what happens is that to get planning permission they will plan for symmetry throughout the estate using a very limited selection of house designs. So they will use the same exterior design but with a selection of say 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom options. Importantly from the builder’s perspective in order for them to get the economy of scale that they need to generate profit they will incorporate into the design standard components such as the type of windows and front doors that they use. By using standard designs means that they can negotiate lower prices from suppliers and also greatly reduce the effort and training required in fitting them. The downside however from the homeowners or tenants perspective is that all the houses look the same. As a result many homeowners will go to great lengths to differentiate their property from their neighbours. They do this typically by using their artistic fair and acumen to decorate the property using plants or strategic lighting to accentuate the visual appeal of the front of the house usually focusing on the front door, entrance or porch.

4. Table of Contents Changing the view from the curb. Types of Front Door. Wooden Front Doors. Steel Doors. Fiberglass. Adding the Locks. Conclusion.

5. Changing the view from the curb Designers call this perspective the ‘view from the curb’ as it is the front entrance to the house that is the focus of attention as it is the first thing that catches someone’s eye when they view the property. For this reason proud homeowners will go to great lengths to create that good first impression. One of the most significant changes that can be made to capture the allusive best view from the curb is not through plants, lighting or a lick of paint but simply to change the design of the front door. Changing the front door has an immediate effect on the appearance of the property and is the single best way to differentiate from your neighbours. Also there are a wide variety of door designs and materials which will suit any taste or budget.

6. Types of Front Door Front doors come in a vast array of designs and standard colours and if there isn’t a design that meets your needs most suppliers have computerized design tools so that you can usually customize a design to meet your requirements. However whether you are buying off-the-shelf or customizing a bespoke design the first choice will be what material to use for the door. Front doors typically come in a choice of materials available for both residential and commercial properties. The choices are generally from using wood, steel, polyurethane or glass. Each material has its benefits and some drawbacks that you need to be aware of and of course the prices will vary as well.

7. Wooden Front Doors Wood is possibly the first material you think of when considering a front door as this is how doors have been traditionally made over the years. Wooden doors can be very attractive when they are stained to bring out the lovely grain and natural beauty of the wood. However they can also be painted if you prefer either at the factory or you could do it yourself if the colours you want aren’t available. The advantages of wood is that it is easily customized and fitted as it can be readily cut or trimmed to fit any door frame. Wood is also a good insulator for both temperature and sound and it is naturally strong with a reassuring weight. Wood is also readily customized so it can incorporate other materials such as glass panels to let in more ambient light or just for decorative purpose. Factory prepared doors using wood as the material are typically long lasting and require little maintenance. However, if you are painting and preparing the door yourself you must ensure that it is fully sealed before or immediately after installation. If you do not then the wood will absorb moisture in the air and swell or even warp over time. This is why wood is often not a good choice for very wet climates or those that have high temperatures and humidity. In addition, you will need to reseal the door every two years or so. Another consideration is that due to the wooden naturally solid build and heavy weight it will sometimes have a tendency to sag over time. This is nothing too drastic as it can be easily remedied by skilled maintenance and adjustments to the frame.

8. Steel Doors The first thought that springs to mind about steel doors are visions of heavy plated protective doors to keep out all but the most determined intruder. However nothing could be further from reality as steel doors are very surprising. Therefore you should clear your mind of steel doors being too ugly, too heavy and too expensive because surprisingly steel doors have none of these qualities. Indeed steel doors come in a wide range of designs and finishes and they can even incorporate glass panels into the design. They are also relatively light weight and less expensive compared to a solid wood front door. Also steel doors are incredibly robust and stand up to heavy frequent use so much so that they easily surpass wooden doors for low maintenance and longevity. In addition steel doors have other surprising qualities such as they have great sound proofing and temperature insulation characteristics. This might at first not seem intuitive at all but the secret id in how they are made. Steel doors are not as you might thing solid steel plate. Instead they are made using two very thin plates of steel around 20 - 24 gauge that sandwich a dense layer of polyurethane foam. It is this construction method that give steel doors that high-performance sound and temperature insulation qualities. What’s more steel doors come in a vast array of finishes and designs that make them visually indistinct from the other materials such as wood and fiberglass.

9. Additionally steel doors have more intuitive qualities that we do come to expect such as they are tough – the strongest of all the materials – have tremendous longevity and very low maintenance. Consequently, steel doors make an excellent choice for properties located in areas of inclement weather such as in hurricane zones. Of course, there wouldn’t be a choice of materials if steel doors didn’t have their faults so here are some of the flaws you need to consider. Steel doors are strong but can be dented and scratched which doesn’t affect their performance but diminishes their appearance. These aesthetic flaws are also not nearly so easy to repair as wooden doors which can be filled and stained to repair any surface damage. Another problem is steel is a great conductor of heat and in this case they will get hot or cold on the surface depending on the temperature the polyurethane cavity provides great temperature insulation but does nothing for the external temperature of the door’s surface.

10. Fiberglass So far we have seen that wooden doors look great and provide both excellent strength and durability as well as great insulation against sound and temperature but require significant maintenance. Steel on the other hand requires little maintenance, is strong and an excellent insulator but can be easily dented or scratched and have depending upon who you ask limited visual appeal. Fortunately there is a third choice, fiberglass, which provides the looks and aesthetics of wood and the temperature isolation, strength, longevity and low maintenance of steel. Using fiberglass to make external door is a relatively new choice of material but it is already becoming popular due to its inherent durability. Fiberglass can be used in any climate unlike wood or steel as it is impervious to water, or extreme temperatures or humidity. Moreover Fiberglass has superb insulation properties and is incredibly versatile so can be made into any size or shaped into any design. It can also be finished to mimic any finish even wood with intricate grains and is often said to be almost impossible to tell apart. Though the latter is perhaps more wishful thinking it does seem to adequately resemble a natural wood finish at least from a distance.

11. However fiberglass also has its issues. Fiberglass doors are manufactured to standard sizes so if your door frame is non-standard it might be difficult to source a door. Also as fiberglass doors are currently the most expensive type of door it is unlikely that a manufacturer is going to make a custom sized door as it would be cost prohibitive. Also as fiberglass is moulded and made to a factory design it is nigh on impossible to trim, cut or customize it in anyway so you must make sure it fits your frame.

12. Adding the Locks As we have seen the choice of material and design when considering a front door is perhaps the first and most significant step but we must not overlook fitting a secure and robust lock. After all a front door isn’t much use to you if it isn’t secure. Therefore we need to consider fitting a lock that is impervious to water, humidity and the elements while being highly resistant to intrusion techniques. Therefore we should consider using a multipoint locking mechanism as these have several bolts or hooks that latch the door firmly to the frame spread evenly across the entire length of the door. This makes it highly resistant to brute force attempt to force open the door. But a multipoint bolt lock also performs another task in that it prevents a door from warping as it creates a seal along the length of the door that also keeps out draughts. Making sure that your front door is protected by a multi-lock mechanism is essential for home security so make sure to order one as part of the door design. Not only will it keep the premises secure it will also ensure that sound and temperature insulation is optimized.

13. Conclusion When selecting a front door do make sure that you select the one that meets your criteria for the aesthetic design, quality and longevity you want. Therefore look to the beauty, strength, versatility and low maintenance that you require. Don’t just go for the cheapest or convenient make sure this is the door that will significantly change that view from the curb. It is often very important to contact and consult with professionals in the field. For example in Canada a country with very intemperate weather seeking out professional guidance is critical. An example of a company that delivers front doors fit for all purposes and environmental conditions is HomeTech Windows and Doors. They can provide a vast array of energy efficient designs, using the highest quality materials and fittings. But if you need a bespoke design then you can customize your own design. Based in Edmonton in Canada they have everything you need to make the front door that will ensure the perfect view from the curb.

14. The End For more details, please visit- • https://hometechwindowsanddoors.com/products/doors/