Choosing the Right Exterior Door for Your Home

One of the very first things people see when they approach your home is the front door. New visitors will make a first impression about a homeowner’s style and what awaits for the interior spaces of the home based on the overall curb appeal but, more importantly, by the front door.

Wood doors have a sense of character and beauty that simply can’t be replicated by metal or glass. As most doors are available in darker woods like black walnut or red oak and lighter woods such as oak, ash and hemlock, you can find the perfect wood door to suit your home and your taste. Although they require more maintenance than other materials, their natural grain and heavy, durable feel make a stunning statement that’s sure to spruce up your entry way.

To start determining which style of wood door is right for your home, ask yourself these questions:

  • What look and feel do I want to portray? Decide if the style of your home would better suit a traditional look, such as a victorian or colonial style door, or more modern, contemporary designed entryway.
  • Do I want solid wood door? Solid wood exterior doors stand out from the standard issue factory model front doors that are found on most homes in the neighbourhood. However, fiberglass doors could be finished to mimic the sought-after characteristics of a wood door at a reduced price while also requiring less frequent maintenance.
  • Do I want to include glass inserts in and/or around the door? Whether simply for aesthetics or to brighten the interior of your home, windows add a warm, welcoming vibe to any entryway.

Once you have an idea what you’re looking for in a door, consider one of these four common styles for inspiration:

Plank Doors

For a more rustic look, a wood plank door can be found with either vertical or horizontal lines to compliment the rest of your home’s exterior. Modern plank doors are often styled with rounded tops but more traditional arched top or flat top designs are also widely popular.

A very traditional take on a plank door with side lights

Panel Doors

There are several panel door configurations, from two to as many as eight panels. Quite often a window or several windows are placed inside the panels to let in light and add some flair to the door. Side lights are a great addition to panel doors and are a beautiful way to frame the door and add interest to the entryway.

A plank door compliments the modern exterior

Shaker Doors

One of the most elegant and simple designs for an exterior door is the shaker style. From single panel to multiple panel and even plank designs, there are a generous number of styles for homeowners to choose from. Generally, this door type does not have windows but that doesn’t mean you can’t customize it with one if you like. Like most wood doors, they come in a wide variety of finishes from very light to very dark wood.

This beautiful shaker door has been customized with a window and side lights

Wood Bar Doors

These styles are reminiscent of an old, farmhouse entry door, but they are far from rustic in appearance. Some styles incorporate both panels and windows for a hybrid mix that fulfills the need for privacy and elegance all in one. Others are full of windows either in clear glass, frosted glass or a combination of the two, to let just the right amount of light into your entryway.

Wood bar doors style perfectly for a cozy chalet

To get an expert opinion on what type of wood door is best for your home, visit us in store in Victoria or Nanaimo. We offer a great selection of exterior doors and hardware from Alliance, Masonite and Wescon to create the entrance way of your dreams.