Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with a New Front Door

Your front door makes a statement. It gives your guests and neighbors their first impression of your space. Front doors also have a tremendous impact on the value of a home, which is extremely important if you’re looking to buy or sell anytime soon. By selecting a front door that matches the exterior of your home and fits into your budget, you can ensure a smooth selling process—or maybe even decide to stay in your space once you’ve updated it! Here are three things to know before purchasing a new front door.

1. Consider the Cost

Installing a new front door can be a costly expenditure. However, the price of your installation depends greatly on the materials you choose, the amount of labor you use and the decorative elements of the front door being installed. We recommend speaking with several construction professionals or contractors to get a better understanding of the buying and installation process before deciding on a set budget. It’s important to remember that an updated front door is an investment that will greatly increase the value of your home.

2. Choose Your Materials Wisely

There are a few different options for front door materials, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with each one to find the best fit for your home and budget. These are a few of the most common choices.

Wood doors are beautiful and classic, but they also require some maintenance on the homeowner’s part. Wood is susceptible to moisture and sunlight and tends to warp, expand and chip. Because it can be difficult to protect your door from the natural elements, you might want to consider a composite wood option instead. Composite wood doors look like the real deal, but are sturdier and less expensive.

Fiberglass doors are relatively inexpensive and can go years without needing so much as a paint touch-up, which keeps long-term costs way down. Because most fiberglass doors have a foam core, they tend to offer more insulation than wood doors. They also resist moisture, which makes them great for homeowners in humid or wet climates.Steel doors are some of the least expensive options.

Steel doors are very popular due to their cost effectiveness and insulating value. However, they are susceptible to dents, though an auto body repair kit can fix any indentations that may occur. Steel also rusts, so it’s not a good option for homeowners who live in a climate with harsh rain or snow. However, steel doors offer an array of attractive options with fiberglass insets, decorative elements and a variety of shades and hues to suit the homeowner’s needs.

Whichever material you choose, use hardware recommended by the manufacturer to ensure it fits your door’s specifications precisely.

3. Round Out the Look with Color

Last but not least, the color of your front door—or the color surrounding it—has a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal. First, consider your home’s exterior before you select a color or finish. While you may love purple, it might not suit your home’s classic architecture. But if the exterior of your home is drab and needs a little pick-me-up, a bold front door is a great choice. For brighter homes, a subtle neutral texture or crisp white door does the trick. Do some research to find which color works best for your home and neighborhood and would appeal most to potential buyers.

Don’t forget to make sure that your new front door blends well with your porch or entryway. Frame your new door with decor like outdoor furniture, potted plants, and textiles that complement its color and style.

How are you planning to update your front door?