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Dress up the front door
Your home’s front entry is the focal point of its curb appeal. Make a statement by painting your door a vibrant color, installing a custom wood door or upgrading to a door with decorative glass.

Accessorize
House numbers, the entry door lockset, oversized potted plants, and overhead light fixtures are all elements that can add style and visual interest to your home’s curb appeal. 

Add a finishing touch
Even with a small budget, there are simple ways to draw attention to your front door and improve curb appeal. Molding, for instance, acts like architectural eyeliner when applied to the sides and top of the doorway. 

The most important thing to consider when looking for a new Entry Door is finding something that coordinates well with the architectural style of your home.  For instance, a Colonial style home generally calls for a more traditional door with a higher level of detail, while a Craftsman door is designed to work best on a home with Craftsman-style trim and details. A Modern door on either of these home styles would simply look out of place. When the style of the door and the style of the home don’t work well together it throws off the cohesiveness of your home’s overall design and can negatively impact your curb appeal. An Internet image search using key words like Colonial, Craftsman, Midcentury Modern, etc. will help you determine your home’s style. Once you determine your home’s style, take note of the more popular doors being used with that style of home. If you want to do something bold and out of the ordinary, use paint to add an unexpected pop of color; paint is a quick fix that can easily be changed down the line.

When choosing an Entry Door it is also important to determine whether you want to incorporate glass.  The decision shouldn’t be based on aesthetics alone.  Is the hallway leading to the door long and windowless?  You may want a panel and glass combination to help invite sunlight into the space.  From simple and modern textures to more ornate designs, there are many styles of glass to choose from. As with the door itself, choose a glass design that complements the architectural attitude of the home.  For instance, don’t mix an ornate glass design with a modern home.

When choosing Interior Doors, it is also important to consider the architectural style and level of detailing, such as millwork and trim, that is used throughout the home.  A home that is heavy on millwork, like base trim, chair rails, and ornate crown molding, will most likely require a more traditional door to balance out these features. Conversely, a home with simple baseboards and little defining trim is open to a wider range of styles.

Popular architectural styles tend to vary by region in the U.S. While Cape Cod and Colonial styles are still very popular in the Northeast, Mediterranean and Spanish Revival styles are trending in the Southwest. Craftsman homes are currently the style that seems to defy these odds by maintaining their popularity across all geographic regions. 

No matter what the style, the focus today is on paired down and simplified designs with reduced detailing and an eye toward easier maintenance. A good example is the Farmhouse architectural style, which is experiencing resurgence in popularity, but with a simpler, more modern look when compared to Grandma’s house in the country. Contemporary and Modern designs continue to gain in popularity; however, they are frequently making use of natural and reclaimed materials that lend a warmer, more lived-in feeling to these streamlined designs.  

You can dramatically change the overall feel of your home simply by replacing your front door. The possibilities are endless and with so many Masonite doors to choose from, it may feel overwhelming. In general, it’s best to keep the following in mind:

Style: Start by taking a look at your personal style. Matching characteristics of the current style trends to your own sense of style will help you narrow down the type of door you are looking for. Do you crave wide-open spaces and clean lines? A modern design may be the right fit for you. Or do you prefer a warm, inviting home with authentic accents? Then, a Craftsman style may be the best fit. Masonite offers a quick and easy tool to help you discover your personal style and find your perfect door. Get started here. 

Color: Whether you like bold colors or subtle hues, there are plenty of color options to choose from. See what colors are currently trending on the next section.

Material: The type of material you choose will also influence your style choice. Steel and smooth doors have a naturally sleek, simplistic appearance and work well with Modern, Industrial and Transitional designs. If wood textures appeal to you, Mahogany gives a rich, Classic feel, while Oak or Fir work well with Craftsman and Modern Farmhouse homes. Unique, custom wood designs work well with Urban Eclectic style.

Privacy: If you like the look of glass and want to let natural light into your home, you may choose a panel and glass combination. If privacy is an issue, opting for a textured or opaque glass design could be a good fit.

The industry’s top trends right now include Industrial, Modern Farmhouse, Transitional, Craftsman, Classic, Modern and Urban Eclectic.  Below we highlight the characteristics of each of these trends:

Industrial style brings a raw, edgy feel to your home. Combine exposed brick, distressed wood or concrete with the warmth of natural elements to achieve this look. 

Modern Farmhouse embraces rustic touches with a “lived-in” feel, such as farmhouse sinks and mason jars, while incorporating elements of simplistic modern design.

A Transitional home represents the new “classic” American home by combining the clean lines of modern design with the richness of traditional elements.

The Craftsman home has an authentic look that embraces the heritage of American style. Vintage details, unique accents and earth tones set the stage for a welcoming environment.

Classic homes are filled with rich details and elegant touches that radiate an unmistakable air of refinement.

The Urban Eclectic home draws inspiration from around the world – bold textures, cultural influences and cherished mementos create that sophisticated, well-traveled look.

We have created a visually dynamic and fun tool to help you figure out your style and find complementary door designs just for you!   It’s easy, fast and super short.  You are just minutes away from finding the style in you… Take the Style Quiz

The number one thing to keep in mind when it comes to color is there really aren’t any rules.  Some people lean towards brighter colors, while others prefer something more muted.  Then there are others who opt for wood tones because they love the warmth it brings.  Find something you love and go with it!

Classic colors such as white, black or navy are all options that stand the test of time. Bold choices such as a vibrant red, spicy orange or lime green give a confident or edgy appeal. Fun, cheerful colors that are becoming more popular are aquas, turquoise blues and sunny yellows. Earth tones, such as greens, browns and tans, are also a popular choice for a warm, inviting feel.

When pairing exterior and interior doors, it is better to think in terms of coordinating rather than matching.  For example, using 5 panel shaker doors on the interior of a Craftsman style home and 3 panel shaker doors for the exterior will create an interesting, sophisticated, and coordinated look. 

In some cases, purposefully and carefully mismatching doors can create a unique sense of style that reflects your personality. 

Absolutely! It has been proven that installing a new entry door does generate a positive ROI*. Your front door is the first and last thing people encounter when visiting your home – so you want it to have a lasting impact. Curb appeal is key whether you are simply entertaining or looking to put your home on the market. According to Dallas interior designer, Barbara Gilbert, “The door is like the cover of a book. It should attract people so they want to open it.” If you are looking to improve the look and feel of your home, updating your front door is a wise investment.

*2016 Hanley Wood 2016 Cost value report

Masonite offers both steel and fiberglass doors that are insulated with a polyurethane foam inner core. This foam core acts as an insulator, enabling Masonite Steel or Fiberglass doors to insulate 5 times better than a standard wood door. 

Masonite also offers a wide variety of glass lite designs, both decorative and standard, many of which are available with Low-E coatings to promote energy efficiency. In addition, Masonite offers a selection of glass lites that are filled with Argon gas, which has better insulating properties than clear glass or standard Low-E.

As a homeowner, you will benefit by saving on heating bills in the winter months and cooling bills in the summer months. Additionally, Masonite products that are Energy Star certified may qualify for government sponsored tax credits.

Masonite offers laminated glass that is ‘break through resistant’. This glass is available as part of the Masonite StormGuard ™ offering, a product line that complies with the most stringent building codes in North America. Additionally, Masonite offers a range of security doors at major retailers that feature Multipoint hardware. Fire doors are also available in our steel door product lines (20 minute and 90 minute), as well as our fiberglass doors (20 minute).

Masonite offers a step-by-step guide to finishing your Fiberglass Entry Door that can be found by clicking here.