While designing a home, the interiors and the exteriors should be given equal value. Usually, there is not much thought put into the external elements of the house. They are often picked out in haste. This practice should be highly avoided for the following reasons.
An modern external doors are the first thing that anyone would lay their eyes upon while visiting your house. External doors are not just the front door of the house but also include patio doors, storm doors and more. External doors help set an overall tone that will leave a lasting impression on your visitors. Since they are the transition from the outer environment into your house, it is important to make an educated choice.
Mentioned below are a few materials of external door choices available, and how each one could make your home look beautiful and elegant from the outside-
- Wooden Doors: Having a wooden front door are the safest option out of all the materials available. Wood is the perfect choice in the time of hesitation. Unlike other materials, wood easily blends with any house color. They can also be used with any door design. Wood is a sure-shot way to give your home an aesthetic and natural look. There are also many kinds of wood to select from, depending on your requirement. Wood, however, might not work well with all environments. Wooden doors tend to absorb more moisture and can warp, expand and eventually look dull.
- Glass Doors: A house with an external glass door exude nothing but luxury and class. If you are looking for an option that is not as mild as a wooden door, glass is the perfect material of choice. Glass doors come in many designs and patterns and have a huge variety. They can also be used for the windows and patio doors as well, and give a more coordinated look to your home. Glass doors are especially good for insulation from the environmental factors like weather.
- Fiberglass Doors: Fibreglass is the better version of a glass door. Fiberglass provides more insulation from external factors. These doors do not have the risks of warping, expanding, or denting. A fiberglass door looks similar to a glass door but is more advantageous. These doors also have a wider range of variety than glass doors. They look best when incorporated with a wooden frame or design. Fiberglass is one of the most preferred options these days owing to its benefits.
- Steel Doors: Steel is unlike any other material we have mentioned about so far. Steel is highly durable in nature and strong material. This makes it perfect for security reasons. Unlike other materials steel cannot be breached easily. It also provides better insulation than glass or fiberglass. Hence this keeps the interiors of the house cozy and comfortable throughout the year. Steel doors also have different textures, colors, and designs which will perfectly suit your house.
Each of the above materials gives your external doors a unique and stylish look. The materials can be sculpted into different styles, to get the desired outcome. Some styles of external doors are-
- Flush: Usually used for indoor purposes, flush style doors are simple and cheap. They are made of wood and can be easily painted over. They can be used for exterior doors as well, but they can easily stain and are not long-lasting.
- Panel Doors: Panel doors are suitable for external front doors. They have embedded panels placed between the ornamental frame. The panels are usually made of glass while the frame is made of metal or wood.
- Sliding Doors: As the name suggests, these doors slide from one corner to the other. They are made of glass, wood or aluminum. Sliding doors cannot be used as a front door as they are not very secure. They are best suitable as porch or patio doors. Glass sliding doors create an illusion of increased room space. It also lets in sunlight and keeps the room well-ventilated. Also, you can read more benefits of sliding doors here.
- French Doors: French doors can be used as front doors, internal doors or even doors opening up to the garden or patio. They can be operated by sliding them or by swinging open a double door. Although glass French patio doors are most refined and elegant to look at, they can be made in steel and fiberglass to enhance safety.
- Single Hinged Bi-Fold Doors: Single hinged doors are the most widely used. They are attached to one side and can be flung open from the other. The disadvantage of having a single hinged door is that, when open, they tend to occupy room space. Bi-fold doors open on both sides. When there is an awkwardly wide entrance, bi-fold doors do an exceptional job of making it look narrower.
- Pocket Doors: A room which is smaller should not have a door that further utilizes space. Pocket doors are the least space consuming doors of all. When opened, they slide into the walls of the house, increasing room space.
These materials and styles, when chosen and implemented correctly can make your house look striking from the outside. The choice of the material and style should be made in a manner such that they blend with the color of the walls, the windows, and the décor.
External doors are hence a major deciding factor of how your house looks from inside and out.