Front Door Ideas to Adore

Whether your priority is looks, security or energy savings, your home’s front door should make a lasting impression.

The front door of a home is part of what makes people want to come inside. A colorful door or a custom glass entry door design adds instant character and charm, while a dingy old door instantly drags down curb appeal.

But a front entry door is more than a home’s focal point — it’s also the entryway to your living space, designed to keep energy in and unwanted visitors out.

“Your entry door sets the tone for the entire home,” says Kathryn Cherne, owner of Design Inside, an interior design firm in Chicago. “It greets your guests and family to an environment that could be quaint and cozy, grand and lavish, or just plain fun.”

And you can use this home improvement project as a jumping-off point for the rest of your decor.

“If you want to reset the style of your home, start with the front door and incorporate the same design elements into other aspects of the house,” Cherne suggests.

Here are a few of our best front door ideas to get you started. Sears Home Services can help you make a great first impression, no matter what your priority is.

I’m all about looks.

When choosing a new front door for your home, start with the material. Traditional fiberglass doors are among some of the most common in modern home design. These doors are virtually maintenance-free and offer longevity over other options in terms of cracking and warping.

When considering front door designs, there are many options. Glass front doors provide a home with an elegant look while boosting curb appeal. Etched glass doors yield more privacy, but the subtle accent can make a not-so-subtle difference in price.

“The number of door styles available to homeowners has never allowed as much personal expression as before,” Cherne says.

Whether choosing a door for a new home or a replacement door, it’s important to choose a style that complements the decor of your home. And one way to do that is through color. Head-turning bold colors have gained in popularity, while there are plenty of classic and traditional finishes as well.

Security comes first.

While a good-looking door is great from the outside, it’s important to feel safe and secure from the inside. Choose a tough, reliable material.

Steel doors, for example, offer the greatest security against forced entry — with the added bonus of being rust-resistant.

Home security has come a long way from standard keyholes. Nowadays, electronic door levers and knobs only allow entry with a code. And while traditional deadbolts are a great option, electronic versions help provide top-notch security for your home.

There are more choices than ever to offer maximum security and peace of mind.

Can a new front door help save energy?

ENERGY STAR®-certified entry doors are built with a polyurethane foam core, designed to keep energy in while still looking great. These energy-efficient doors meet or exceed federal regulations and provide year-round energy savings. Available in both fiberglass and steel, the doors can be stained or painted to create your ideal look.

Installing ENERGY STAR-qualified windows, doors and skylights shrinks energy bills — and carbon footprints — by about 7% to 15% compared to non-qualified products, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Your savings will vary, depending on current heating and cooling costs in your region.

Replacing or installing a new front door can reinvent the entire appearance of your home. Just think about what matters most to you and weigh your options. Have a front door worthy of your welcome mat.