Choosing a Front Door For Your Home

Your front door may be the way into your home, but it also offers an insight into your personality. Here, Cobus Lourens from leading window and door manufacturer, Swartland, gives his tips on choosing the correct front door.

From early Chinese and Greek philosophy, through to modern times, front doors and entryways have always been upheld as a representation of the character of those living inside. “Your home’s front door plays a big part in its curb-side appeal, but it also says a lot about the people who live behind it,” says Cobus Lourens. “From style, colour, shape, and size – all these elements play a role in defining the first impressions of your home, as well as the homeowners.”

DOOR STYLES

One of the most important aspects of a front door is that it needs to complement the architectural style of the building in which it is featured. And, of course, the architectural style of the home you choose is a reflection of your personal sense of taste and personality.

DOOR SHAPES

Although there are definite exceptions, for the most part, front doors are generally rectangular in shape – as this is by far the most practical option for front door design. However, if you are an individual who values customised solutions, and appreciates ample light in your home and access to the outdoor vistas, it is possible to shape the installation using additional sidelights and toplights. These are glazed units that have been designed to be installed either on one or both sides of a front door, or above it. They add to the overall perceived size and height of the installation, and its overall aesthetic appeal. The glazing is very practical, as it lets in light and views from the outdoors, and its glazing can either be plain, or it can be opaque, etched, bevelled or use ornate stained glass.

DOOR COLOURS

Your front door can be finished in a wide array of colours and treatments – from bold neutrals, such as greys, blacks and whites, through to genuine timber tones, or literally thousands of bold Pantone-type hues. The colour you choose for your front door reveals a lot about your character.

DOOR SIZE

The size of your door should be in proportion to the size of your home. If you have a large home, then your front door needs to be adequately large, however, if you have a small home, a large front door will look out of place and make the home in which it is fitted seem even smaller than it is. Having said that, it is easy to see how large front doors create a bigger visual impact.

You can opt for a single front door, or a double front door to make a grand statement. If you own a small house, but you have your heart set on a double front door, then it is advisable to select a pair of doors with a narrow width to ensure that they don’t overwhelm your home’s entrance. Standard door widths range from 813 mm for a single door, and between 1 210 mm and 1 612 mm for a double door. The standard height for a door is 2 032 mm. Although, strictly speaking pivot doors are also single doors, they tend to make more of a visual statement, as they are larger than the standard-sized single doors, measuring between 1 200 mm and 1 500 mm wide, and 2 032 mm and 2 400 mm in height.