Doors That Dazzle

From the front entryway to closets, doors say a lot about a home. Choosing the right one for each room may improve the overall look while offering increased energy efficiency and security at the same time it minimizes sound. Let’s take a look at the options available for each space.

If you’re interested in putting every inch of that square footage to work and want to make preparing for your day easier, consider these closet upgrades that will enhance your look and your life.

PROVIDING A WARM WELCOME

As one of the first things you notice about a home, a front door can make or break your curb appeal. If the front door is outdated or looks worse for wear, it’s making the wrong impression. Consider an upgrade that not only transforms your home’s appearance but may also supply added comfort and peace of mind.

Replacing an old door with one made of fiberglass or steel offers several advantages. Because both can be manufactured to look like wood, they’re attractive and come in an array of styles and wood grains. More durable than actual wood, these doors are better able to withstand the elements and won’t shrink, warp, split, crack or delaminate over time. Both are engineered to provide energy efficiency, keeping cold out during the winter and heat out in the summer, while offering increased security.

SIZING IT UP

Desiring to keep a home’s elements proportionate, the height of your ceiling may influence the size of your door. The standard size for an exterior door is 80 inches by 36 inches — or 6 ft, 8 inches by 3 ft — while 96 inches — or 8 ft. —is currently very common for newer homes, which often feature higher ceilings.

Another choice those building a new home face is single versus double doors. A single entry door is the most popular and affordable option, while double doors set the stage for a grand entrance — particularly if they lead to an expansive foyer. If you’ll be moving in large pieces of furniture, this feature will grant easy access to the home’s interior. Double doors also allow for more light to fill the entryway. But if your home doesn’t lend itself to this look, consider incorporating transoms and sidelights, which serve as a great way to add light and expand your view. Choose decorative glass to add visual interest, low E glass for increased energy savings, or obscured glass for privacy. Double doors are also ideal for master closets and toy cabinets in family rooms.

REDUCE NOISE, INCREASE PRIVACY

Those in the market for new doors will often hear the terms “hollow core” and “solid core” used. Your selection will depend on your budget and where you intend to use it.

Because they’re generally lighter in weight and more affordable than solid core doors, hollow core doors are a good pick for areas where sound transmission is less important, such as a closet or pantry. Typically heavier, solid core doors are more resistant to normal wear and are often used in rooms where more privacy is prized. If interior noise reduction is a priority, consider the JELD-WEN® ProCore The Quiet Door®, which reduces sound transmission by up to 50 percent when compared to a hollow flush door.

IMPROVE THE AESTHETIC APPEAL OF ANY ROOM

Few home furnishings look as outdated as flat brown wood doors. Fortunately, replacing them is an easy fix. Raised panel hollow-core doors and panel hollow-core doors are affordable and come pre-primed so you can paint them to match your existing decor.

Sliding barn doors symbolize the seamless blending of rustic and contemporary design. Used in kitchens for pantries or to hide a home office, this is a high-impact style that catches the eye in the best way again and again. From charming wood grains to bold splash of color, it’s easy to see why this outdoor look has won favor indoors.

While they don’t possess the wow factor of barn doors, pocket doors are an ideal way to save valuable wall and floor space that would typically be taken up by a hinged door swinging outward. Because they slide into the hollow or “pocket” of a wall, these doors make every inch of your square footage count.