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Custom Front Doors to Give Your Home a Boost

Your entryway is the first impression you give to guests visiting your home. It can really say a lot about you and your lifestyle. The centerpiece of your entryway is the front door and it can make the biggest difference in your curb appeal. If you want to make a great first impression, you have to start by getting custom front doors.

Being able to customize your front door is huge. From hardware to the material it’s made from, everything matters. But where do you start? What should you be looking for in a front door? We’re here to help.

custom front doors

In this article we’ll give you some suggestions and things to think about when buying a replacement front door for your entryway. Let’s get started.

Single vs Double Panel Doors

When getting custom front doors, the first thing to consider is the number of doors you want. There are single and double panel doors available for your entryway. A single front door is a transitional door – one door slab that operates.

Double doors or French doors are two door slabs. Both can be operable or one can be operable and the other inoperable. These add a little more elegance and give you a grand entryway into your home.

blue french doors

One thing you need to consider before making a selection is the size of your door opening. If you currently have a single door for your front door, then you can’t get a double door without construction being done to make the opening wider. It can be done but it’s up to you if you want the construction.

The Material It’s Made Of Makes a Huge Difference

Part of making custom front doors is picking the material it’s made from. Each material plays a role in the door’s durability, beauty and energy efficiency. Some are better suited for certain weather while others can handle anything.

Below we’ll go over the three most popular front door materials: wood, fiberglass and steel.

Wood

If you’re looking for beauty, wood front doors are a good option – for a short time. While they’re synonymous for gorgeous looks and elegance, it comes at a price – literally. Wood doors are the most expensive of the three options.

Not only do wood doors have a high upfront cost, but they’ll continue to cost you money each year. They need to be painted and stained regularly to keep their good looks. You’re going to be wasting a lot of time and money.

Wood doors are also prone to warping and rotting when exposed to moisture. The Midwest is known for having heavy rains, snow storms and humid summers. With all that moisture in the air, your wood doors would be in big trouble.

If you’re looking for custom front doors, we suggest avoiding wood. Your wallet will thank us later.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are a much more affordable option than wood with many more benefits. There are many colors and styles available including wood grain finishes. That means you can have the same elegant look of wood without all of the problems. Your guests wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

Also, fiberglass is resistant to warping and rotting. Moisture isn’t a problem and your doors will be looking great for years to come.

One of the biggest benefits to fiberglass doors is their energy efficiency. While wood doors are no slouch, they can’t compare to the foam core of a fiberglass door. Heated and cooled air will be trapped in your home making it more comfortable year round.

fiberglass front door during the winter

Not only will you be enjoying more comfort, but this will actually save you money on your energy bills. Being able to regulate the temperature in your home removes stress from your furnace and air conditioner. They’ll use less power to reach your desired temperature.

Steel

Steel doors have many of the same benefits as fiberglass doors. They also have the foam core that makes your home more energy efficient. They’re also resistant to warping and rotting. So much like fiberglass doors, you’ll be saving money post-purchase as opposed to spending it.

The claim to fame of steel doors is their strength. Steel doors can take a beating without showing any damage. They’re resistant to bending, cracking and being kicked-in thanks to the 20-gauge steel that’s used in their construction. This added strength makes your home much safer.

Add Hardware to Your Custom Front Doors

Your door isn’t complete yet! There are still tons of cool hardware options available. From locks to decorative glass, you can customize your front door into anything you like.

Locks

The most important piece of hardware for your custom front doors are their locks. They’re what keeps unwanted visitors from entering your home. The most durable lock is a deadbolt lock which uses the frame of your home to keep your door shut.

Other options include latches, handle locks and padlocks. You can read more about entry door locks here.

Sidelights and Transoms

a door with sidelights and a transomIf you have the space and are looking to add a bit of elegance to your home, sidelights and a transom are the answer. Sidelights are found on the sides of your front door. They’re panels with windows and can be found on one or both sides.

Transoms are found above the entry door. They’re large windows that come in many shapes: circles, semi-circles, square, rectangles, etc.

Not only do that look good from the outside, but they also allow more natural light into your home. You can have a gorgeous entryway both inside and out.

Knockers and Mail Slots

There are other small pieces of hardware you can add to the surface of your custom front doors to give them a unique touch. While they no longer serve a practical use, knockers and mail slot have an old time, or traditional, feel that you don’t see too often anymore.

Both of these pieces of hardware can be made of bronze, steel, copper or any other metal. They can complement other features of your door or even be a focal point. Just because no one is using door knockers with the invention of the doorbell, doesn’t mean they can’t still be on your door.

Decorative Door Glass

Sometimes, a solid door slab can be boring, even with the addition of knockers, mail slots, sidelights and transoms. Maybe you need to so something specifically to the door to add pizzazz.

Decorative door glass might be the answer. There are many shapes and designs available that will surely gain the attention of the guests and neighbors. They’ll also help improve your home’s curb appeal and increase its value.

Find a Company That Will Customize Your Front Door

Not all companies offer custom front doors and even if they do, not everyone has the same options. You need to find a company that offers the best options and styles for what interests you.

Feldco has many different customizable options for your front door. From decorative glass to hardware to sidelights and transoms, we have them all. Plus, our steel and fiberglass doors are built to handle the Midwest’s erratic weather.

A front door means nothing without being installed properly – it won’t be as energy efficient, durable or beautiful. With Feldco, we guarantee your front door will be installed properly so you can enjoy all of its benefits.

Custom Front Doors Will Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Improving your home’s curb appeal, energy efficiency and safety is top of mind for many homeowners. What they don’t know is that custom front doors check all of those boxes. They even allow you to add your own personality into them.

Feldco offers many styles and options for their custom front doors. From sidelights and transoms to decorative door glass and everything in between, we have something to help you enhance your front door.

Over 400,000 homeowners have trusted Feldco with their home improvement needs. We’ve proudly served the Midwest for over 40 years and would love to help you with your next project. Get a free quote now and get a custom front door for your home.

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