If you’re remodeling or building a new home, the way that the space looks to a passerby is important. Just as you want to consider the residents and their wants and needs, so too is it important to think about the exterior at a glance and the home as a whole. Thinking about the style of the home, the location, and the aesthetics all factor in to selecting each element of the design. If you’re also considering windows to increase curb appeal, we have those needs covered as well.
Selecting Doors for Specific Home Styles
There are specific door styles that will look best with certain home styles. For instance, a Craftsman style home looks best with a Craftsman style door. A good general rule of thumb is to match your new door design with the architectural style of your home. If you are not sure of the architectural style of your home, there are many good online resources such as this quiz from Masonite to help you determine the architectural style of your home. Once you’ve determined the architectural style of your home, shop for doors that have a good visual fit with that style of architecture to maintain and enhance its appeal.
Selecting Doors for Specific Locations
Because the architectural style of homes varies by region, there are doors that resonate better with regional styles of architecture than others. For instance, a Cape Cod-style home in the Northeast generally looks best with a more traditional style of door that is well integrated with a more traditional home design. The Southwest has many more modern styles of homes, so choosing a modern style of door that integrates well with the home will help increase the home’s curb appeal and maintain its value. Overall, it’s best to match your door style to the architectural style of your home.
Door Style Variations
It has been shown that the color of an entry door can potentially increase the curb appeal and selling price of a home. Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert says: “A front door is often the first thing that captures a buyer’s eye, and first impressions matter when buyers need to make swift decisions in today’s fast-moving market. This research shows how seemingly minor home improvements can make a big difference in the way a potential buyer views and values a home.” A 2022 study by Zillow indicated that on average, buyers are willing to offer up to $1,537 more for a home with a slate blue front door. The same Zillow study also said that buyers would be willing to pay on average $6,449 more for a home with a black entry door. The material of a door can also add to the appeal. A fiberglass entry door requires less maintenance than a wood door. Conversely, if a home’s exterior uses a lot of natural materials like stone, a wood door may be the best answer for that style of architecture to maintain the overall visual appeal of the home.
When recommending doors to increase curb appeal to your clients, always remember that style and color are going to have the biggest impact, as well as placement – whether it’s a front door or a patio door. These all contribute to enhancing the beauty of a home, and play a significant role in increasing overall appeal of the house and the neighborhood.
In Collaboration With:
Masonite Doors｜Member of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA)
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
Understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance your projects.
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
The Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification webinar is designed to help architects and remodelers understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance their projects.
