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The entrance door is generally the first and last thing people see when entering or leaving a house, so your door should give visitors a sense of your home's character and style.
Entry doors come in various styles, with the most popular being solid timber (all panels) and glass panels.
Choosing the correct door style can help you transform your home. The wrong front door can detract from your overall look and feel of your property, so it's a good idea to do some research first and rule out those doors that don't fit your style.
Firstly, consider where you live – are you on a busy road or street? If so, a solid panel door may work best to help reduce noise and aid in soundproofing. If noise isn't a concern, then a glass-panelled door is an elegant addition.
Now it's time to think about the position of the door. Unless you have overhead cover, like a verandah or portico to shelter the door, you may have to opt for steel, fibreglass or UPVC (unplasticised poly vinyl chloride). UPVC adds strength to the door with the bonus of being weatherproof and these doors are available in a wood-grain finish.
When it comes to security, solid doors may be the best choice or opt for doors with smaller glass panels to deter intruders. Of course, installing a security door can give you added peace of mind.
If the entry foyer to your home is dark, then selecting a door with larger glass panels may help to increase the flow of natural light.
While the majority of entrance doors sold in Australia are made from various species of timber, there has been an increase in steel, fibreglass or UPVC materials used for entrances that are exposed to the elements, due to their strength and weatherproofing abilities.
When choosing a glass-panelled door, remember that panels come in a range of finishes – clear, obscure or tinted, impact-resistant to energy-efficient glass, as well as leadlight or stained, plus coloured, patterned or textured glass.
There are also different types of door systems available, such as a slab door, where the installer will need to rebate for hinges, handles and locks, whereas a pre-hung system matches a frame and door with hinge and handle locations already rebated, amounting to a perfect fit and quicker install.
Here's your chance to get a bit playful. Colours can help define your home's personality.
You can go vibrant with bold colours and make a big statement, or keep it understated with neutral tones like greys and browns.
Ultimately, you want to be coming back to that first impression and what you want your curb character to be.
Finally, once you've found your perfect door, you'll need to install it. Here's some handy advice to get it right.
