Many older styles of homes feature solid wood, metal or other types of exterior doors. These doors, typically bought in large quantities by the home developer, are identical in all or most of the homes in a given neighborhood or subdivision. Changing out these old entrance doors for a new design can really open up a home and make it look newer, brighter and more welcoming.
One of the easiest ways to change the look of the home from an old style of solid door is to choose entrance doors that have a decorative glass component to the door. These areas of glass, known as lites, make a door look more open and welcoming while also allowing easy visibility from the inside to the outside and vice versa.
Bring in the Sun
While entrance doors with larger lites make the front of the home look more open and appealing, they also have a benefit to the interior of you home as well. Larger lites, even with a frosted or artisan type of glass bring in more natural sunlight, adding to the airy and bright look of an entrance.
To create even more natural light in the home, and to add to the look of the door and the entrance, consider adding sidelights or perhaps a transom. There are some manufacturers that make operable sidelights that can open, allowing a nice breeze while still keeping the home secure.
Glass Choices and Privacy
Depending on many different factors, people may not want to have a clear line of sight into the interior of their home. However, this doesn’t mean that lites aren’t possible on the door, or that sidelights are out of the question.
Look for a door manufacturer that provides options in the glass used for entrance doors and the sidelights if this is a concern. Different types of glass including Flemish glass, which is a beautiful rustic look, or rain glass, which adds an amazing textured look, provide privacy while still letting in full light.
Other options to consider that obscure direct vision into the home includes builder glass, craftsman or artisan glass, as well as Sierra glass. With caming, which is thin metal designs that create a pattern between the smaller components in the glass, different finishes are possible that add to the look of the door.
By choosing the right glass, and the right door style, entrance doors can make any home look much brighter and more open. Make sure to look at a significant number of door options to help have a clear picture of all the possibilities for door designs.
At Nick’s Building Supply we offer a wide range of entrance doors that allow you to open up the front of your home with style.
