Are you in the market for a new front door for your home? If you’re a first-time entry door buyer or it’s been a few years since you’ve upgraded, you might be surprised at the wide range of beautiful styles available today.
With so many options, choosing a front door style can be as challenging as it is exciting. Finding the right product that complements your exterior decor and fits your budget isn’t easy, but our team is here to help. Exploring popular front door styles can help you find the design that’s right for you. Enhance the look of your home by investing in a decorative front door, or create a durable and unique aesthetic through Dutch or craftsman front door styles.
Whatever you decide, a new front door can improve your home’s look when perfectly matched to the house’s aesthetic and architecture.
Helpful Tips for Choosing the Right Front Door Style
When choosing suitable exterior door styles for a home, you may want to consider the benefits of each specific design and how they may enhance the design of your house. Many different door styles may fit your home, but others may not match your current aesthetic. Explore these six popular entry door styles to help you make an informed buying decision.
Rustic
The rustic door style has been in vogue for centuries. It’s a top choice for homeowners who prefer a more rural look reminiscent of a mountain cabin. Rustic doors offer a clean presentation that doesn’t include glass or excessive ornamentation. The result is a simple design that fits well with many exterior decor packages.
A rustic-style front door can enhance homes with American Southwest architecture or Mediterranean-inspired designs. Many rustic doors come with distinct paneling that creates a historical and traditional feeling while allowing homeowners to add unique additions like glass, creative hinge designs or colorful hardware. If you own a cottage or cabin, you may consider a rustic entry door as a charming inclusion to your property.
Modern
This contemporary door style provides a sleek, streamlined look that tends to polarize prospective buyers — some love it, while others quickly move on to another option. Many modern doors have characteristic high-end and clean lines and glass additions to include natural light or bold colors that make the home stand out among others in the neighborhood.
Glass is a distinguishing characteristic of the modern style. The doors typically contain either one large glass panel or a series of smaller panels in the middle. Modern entry doors pride themselves on having minimal details while being sturdy and safe.
Besides adding distinct glass panels, many homeowners consider adding sidelights or grille patterns to their doors to give them a unique finishing touch. With narrow sightlines and glass that allow for privacy and natural light, those who enjoy clean and uncluttered designs will like the modern door the most. Your color choices and hardware designs can enhance your home’s aesthetic and architectural style. Choose the right color for you, from muted whites and grays to bold colors or pure black stains.
Craftsman
This front door style exemplifies a carefully designed exterior and close attention to detail. The defining trait is the glass that comprises the upper third of the door. The glass panes are typically rectangular, although their number can vary. Craftsman doors also feature flat wood panels underneath the glass consisting of durable hardwoods such as oak, cherry or maple. A piece of ornate trim or molding separates the upper and lower portions. Homeowners like to pair their craftsman door with a pre-finished stain to enhance the design. Some colors that match well with
The craftsman entry door has a rich history that many homeowners may be interested in learning. Doors with ornate details and distinct glass panes became popular during the American Craftsman movement in response to the Industrial Revolution during the 1800s. Many carpenters and woodworkers grew weary of mass-produced products, including front doors, and decided to build hand-carved doors with intricate details instead.
Americans grew to love the hand-made style typical of Craftsman doors, which can be seen today in many front door styles. Craftsman doors typically fit home styles such as bungalows, naturalistic homes and cottages. Customers also enjoy the versatility of the Craftsman door, adding unique hardware like dentil shelves, wrought iron nails or hinge straps. A dentil shelf acts as a ledge below the glass planes, while iron nails or hinge straps create a classic, handcrafted look that many other door styles don’t provide.
Traditional
Also called classic, this entry door style features up to a dozen raised panels made from wood, fiberglass or steel. Many customers enjoy a solid, wood-paneled door due to its tendency towards detail while providing excellent security for those inside the home. These doors also offer ample customization options to meet unique style preferences.
A traditionally-styled front door may be suitable for those who appreciate authentic materials and genuine craftsmanship. Many traditional types of front doors take their inspiration from European regions, where the designs and architecture are meant to evoke feelings of classic features. Old World craftsmanship influences today’s carpenters to offer traditional-style doors with wrought iron designs, sidelights or transoms to create a timeless and luxurious feel.
Remember that traditional doors are made from solid wood. They may often appear heavy and require quality hardware to last a long time. Classically-styled homes look best with a conventional front door, symmetrical sidelights, soft lines and European accents. Consider darker colors for a heavier and more sturdy look or bright colors for a sleek and modern feel. Because traditional entry doors have ornate details with sophisticated features, their charm and character remain timeless no matter the front door trends.
While traditional doors are typically solid and contain no glass panes, some buyers add glass inserts or sidelights that allow natural light infiltration. The glass can often be clear or detailed with grille patterns. Decorative glass may vary depending on the homeowner’s preference, but traditional front doors often contain glass inserts ranging from plain, clear glass to obscure details specific to the owner.
Dutch
The Dutch entry door style dates back to the 17th century and remains a popular homeowner preference today. These doors contain a horizontal split, allowing for the separate opening of the top or bottom half. They provide a practical solution for connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, receiving packages or letting pets in and out without opening the entire door.
Some benefits of Dutch-style front doors include the following:
- Additional character and personality: Dutch doors offer a fun way to see the outdoors while staying safe in your home. They also provide some personality to your home that other entries may not. Friends, family or guests will see your home as a welcoming and relaxing place with unique country charm.
- Fresh air when you want it: Stay inside and let the fresh air flow through your home. Perhaps you can enjoy the sunshine on clear days or the breeze during slight winds.
- Pets and children stay inside: If you have pets or children in the home, a dutch door can help keep them inside without worrying about them leaving the house. Dutch doors also offer peace of mind to enjoy the breeze while keeping those inside safe.
- You can easily interact with delivery drivers: Interact with your delivery people while taking packages or mail into the house. You can also prevent children or pets from escaping while picking up your delivery.
Decorative
These doors appeal to residential property owners seeking to add an ornamental flair to a newly constructed or older home. Typical features include metal grilles and expansive panels of patterned glass. Wrought iron and glass panels match well with Spanish or Tuscan-inspired dwellings, while other variations of the design pair well with New Orleans or French country-style houses.
A decorative door can include anything from elaborate iron details to simple designs depending on your preference. You may also find that a new decorative entry door offers greater curb appeal and increases the value of your home. Keep in mind that some decorative doors may appear heavy or less welcoming if the quality of the material or design is not up to par. Make sure you invest in a well-made door.
Whether you’re looking for privacy with beveled or frosted glass panels or the inclusion of natural light with clear or glazed glass, a decorative door provides many opportunities for customization. They pair well with homes on the coast, farmhouse-style homes or Victorian-inspired architecture.
Explore Our Beautiful Entry Door Collection for Inspiration
Quality Overhead Door is your one-stop headquarters in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan for a wide selection of attractive entry door styles. For more than 40 years, our company has assisted homeowners in Ohio and Michigan to find strong, durable front doors that fit their needs. Browse our front doors online and request a quote online today. You can also contact us for advice on picking a front door style for your home.
Additional Resources on Entry Doors:
- How to Choose a Front Door Color
- Entry Door Buyer Guide
- What Are the Parts of a Front Door
- What Size is a Standard Front Door