The curb appeal of your home can be dramatically upgraded by highlighting the focal point of the front of your home – the main entry. It sets the tone for guests, adds nuance to the feeling of your neighborhood, and will catch the eye of passersby. One study by a noted manufacturer finds that a custom door may actually add double to your home’s value what the door cost. Not bad when compared to common upgrades people make such as their kitchens that cost significantly more and only about 80% of the cost of the project is recovered as added value to the home.
If your front door is ho-hum, hollow core, sticks when you try to open or close it, or is covered with key scratches and foot kick marks, it may be the perfect opportunity for you to make a change. Bob Case from Castlewood Doors helped us to examine what a consumer needs to know about doors, design possibilities, and the functional requirements everyone is looking for.
Bob notes that “Wood doors are generally a bit more than steel or fiberglass versions, but the return on investment and advantages you receive from wood outweigh the costs.”
You can easily make a statement with your front entry in many different ways – a blast of color, a custom wood or metal design, and amazing hardware from funky to traditional style will truly wow the people that stand before it. There really is no limit to what can be done with a door. Materials can be mixed in many shapes and sizes and you can even have intricate carvings. Categories you may consider for door styles range from Rustic, Contemporary, Traditional, Wood & Iron, Iron, and Full Custom.
Hardware
There are many great hardware manufacturers offering embellishments for your door that you can select from. Whether it is a secure mortise lockset or an ornate operating wrought iron grille, Castlewood has experience in selecting and installing the best designs to go with your door. In the event you can’t find what you like as an example for them, Castlewood is able to custom fabricate wrought iron, steel, or copper to satisfy the artisan in you.
Finishing
To enhance the beauty of wood and increase the longevity of the door and millwork, finishing is an area you won’t want to skip on. Finishing with glazes and stains can also be used to highlight areas by drawing out contrast and creating a watertight barrier for protection. Other methods of finishing include distressing the wood or metal to make it look rustic or aged. Finally, a beautiful patina or oxidized effect can be achieved by using real liquid metal to create a unique look.
How Do You Judge a Quality Door?
Expect that the construction of the door be solid core, veneers are no problem at all and save quite a bit of money and still look amazing. Construction methods for joining the wood sections should be by dowel in addition to using mortise and tenon jointery. It is not common, but Castlewood goes out of its way to use Formaldehyde free glue. Popular wood choices that work well in Colorado’s climate, both in and out of the mountains include; knotty adler, walnut, cherry, maple, mahogany, fir, mesquite, and poplar.
The Process
So you have made the decision to upgrade your entry with a new door, how do you start the process and what needs to take place. A company like Castlewood Doors is able to talk with you and get an idea of what you like so that they can design a door from scratch by way of style, finish, and materials.
Detailed measurements of your existing entry will need to be taken. If you look through magazines and have photos, most doors can be recreated as well. Normally you are looking at six or more weeks for a door to be crafted. During that time period, you can be on the lookout for hardwarethat you find appealing. You may once again consider material choice, color, operating style (such as knob or lever open), locks, and other embellishments that might be wood or metal.
Installation is usually a day long process. The old door and molding needs to be removed, hinges changed, and the new molding and millwork will need to be fitted inside and out before the door is hung. New holes are put into the door frame to match where the lock bolt sits in the new door.
A custom door company such as Castlewood Doors can handle everything in-house but they frequently work with other project managers such as designers and or architects if they are leading a remodeling effort for you.
Other Tips & Tricks to Consider
Bob says that “Many of our customers initially look for a new entry door to seal up drafts, leaks, security enhancement, or deal with damage from a pet scratching to get out.” They then typically learn about all the design options and beauty a door can provide beyond just functional needs and they quickly upgrade.
Along with a new door, there are other upgrades you might consider around the front of the home to really knock the ball out of the park when it comes to curb appeal. Possibly upgrade the lighting around the front door, add some visual symmetry with some nice planters, and highlight the approach to your front door along walkways with nice lighting. Many people add a wreath or ornamental flourish that ties into the interior of the home so once the door is open you can see the connection.
Bob closes by saying “Think about this…. Your entry door needs to be functional and beautiful. One without the other is a waste and potential safety situation. To ensure the most visible entry to your home can withstand extreme weather, the sun, repeated opening and closing and all the other action it will see with use, it is worth investing in a solid custom design that need not be a bank breaker.”v
To add curb appeal to your home, please visit Castlewood doors at www.castlewooddoors.com Or call owner Joel Algra at 720.260.4089.