May 12, 2016 / Your Home

A Great Looking Front Door Says It All!

Believe it or not, your front door says a lot about you and your home. Beyond having great curb appeal, a front door will protect you from the elements, intruders and help make a great first impression on friends, family and your neighbours.

According to ancient Greek architecture and Chinese philosophy, the colour of the entrance way reflects the character of the people inside. We thought we’d share some of the character/colour matchings just for fun.

  • A classic red door for example says that you are welcoming and denotes good energy. In colonial times, a house with a red door was home to a friendly family who would not mind putting up a tired traveler.
  • Black doors symbolize authority and strength, while white front doors symbolize neutrality and purity.
  • A grey door symbolizes dignity and knowledge, while a multi-colored door, according to Dionysian theory, suggests that this is home of creative happiness.

Regardless of the colour, a good paint job shows that you care about your home, and that says a lot to a potential buyer.

Looking for a new front door?

Mike Holmes, in a recent National Post article stated that ‘when it comes to performance there are some basic things your front door must do’.

First and foremost, your front door should be strong enough and have a solid frame to prevent intruders, including those that kick-in a door.

Your door should also open and close properly to prevent water from entering your home and air escaping. If the weather stripping at the bottom of your front door has seen better days, it might be time replace or upgrade the front door of your house.

In terms of materials, Holmes suggests that the top three materials best suited for doors are:

  • wood,
  • fiberglass
  • steel.

Holmes himself, says he favours wood doors because they are not only top-of-the-line but look great. The down-side is that they are often the most expensive and require regular maintenance. A storm door or an overhang can give a wood door a little added protection.

If your budget is a little tighter, Holmes recommends either a wood-looking fiberglass door which are less expensive but not as solid, or a “steel insulated door with a wood frame. They’re strong, durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance.”

Some residents favour glass in the door for extra light or for the pets. If you’re leaning towards glass, Holmes recommends safety glass that is also tempered. While glass looks great, it’s not as strong as wood or steel and doesn’t insulate as well.

Locking Mechanism:

A door is really only as good as the locking system. A multi-lock secures the door at three points which not only makes your door more resistant to home invasions but up to 45% more airtight – which is a real bonus. (See Justin Loncaric’s blog post on other ways to reduce home invasions.)

Lighting:

Is your front entrance as well as house number easy to spot at night? Will guests be able to navigate to and from safely? Adequate lighting, even lights programmed on a timer will tell people that you are concerned about safety.

Mailbox:

Is your mailbox large enough for your everyday mail, or is it a challenge for the postal carrier to fit your papers and magazines inside it? And if you have other deliveries on a regular basis, are there places for them to stow ‘stuff away’ when you’re not home.

A front door probably won’t make or break the sale of your home, but it can easily add to your home’s value and increase the curb appeal to potential buyers – say nothing of what the colour of your front door is telling your neighbours!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Interested in learning more? Send us a message here and we’ll be in touch with you soon after.

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