Your front door is the first thing people see when they come to your house, and the one you touch every single day. So when it’s time for a new one, the list of decisions can feel long: material, color, grain, hardware, even the key. We shot a short video at our new showroom in Littleton, Massachusetts (it was such a nice day that we took the cameras outside) where Paul walks through how to choose an entry door. Watch below, or read on for more.
The Four Kinds of Entry Doors
There are really four materials to choose from for your home:
- Aluminum, although this is a more commercial look – like the door to our showroom
- Wood, if you don’t mind staining or painting it every couple of years
- Fiberglass
- Steel
How do you decide? Honestly, it comes down to your own taste and what you want your home to look like. For aesthetics and durability, we often recommend fiberglass or steel.
Why We Like Fiberglass for Front Entries
The door Paul is standing next to in the video is a good example. It’s a fourth-generation fiberglass door with a cherry grain, painted in a rustic bronze, and finished with Emtek hardware. Up close, the grain and the molding details look like a real wood door.
Here’s the part that matters most. That door is five years old, and it still looks as good as the day it was made. A wood door will ask more of you: staining, painting, and keeping an eye on how it’s handling the weather. Here in New England, a front door has to stand up to harsh winters, hot summers, and everything in between. Fiberglass takes that on without the upkeep.
Pro tip: Fiberglass doors can be customized, including different colors inside and out. The door in the video has one color on the outside and a completely different one on the inside, so your entry can match the street view and your front hall.
Steel Doors: Not the Ones You’re Picturing
Years ago, the advice was “never put a steel door in your house. Put it on the garage or the shed.” The steel was thin, and it could dent, crack, or rust. For about 25 years, Paul didn’t sell steel doors to homeowners.
Then he found this one. It’s built differently from what you’ll find at a big box store. It uses thicker steel, there are no welds, it doesn’t rust, and the cavity is filled with foam. It can be painted on one side with a grain finish on the other, and it’s a really handsome door.
So, Fiberglass or Steel?
If you’re doing a front entry door, we lean toward fiberglass. That doesn’t mean steel is off the table. We’ve installed steel doors in gorgeous entryways with sidelights and transoms, and we can design and price either one to fit your budget.
There isn’t a right or wrong answer here. There’s just the one that fits your home, your taste, and your budget, and we’re glad to walk you through it.
One Key for Every Door
Here’s a small thing that turns out to be a big convenience. Let’s say you already have three or four doors in your house that all open with the same key. When you order a door through 12 Penny and Window Depot, manufacturers like Provia and Wincore can match your existing key, so you don’t end up with one more key on the ring.
If you’d rather skip keys altogether, there are push button locks, including programmable ones you can activate from your phone.
Why Order the Hardware With Your Door
Plenty of people say, “Don’t worry about the hardware, I’ll pick my own.” You absolutely can. But there are a few good reasons to order it with the door:
- It lines up. The hardware is installed at the factory, so the handle and deadbolt line up perfectly, and we don’t have to chisel anything out when the door goes in.
- It’s keyed to your home. Give us your key number and the deadbolt can be keyed to match.
- It has a warranty. That’s something you may not get from a big box store. Paul tells the story of a customer whose handle finish started to rub off, and we got her a new one at no charge.
There are lots of finishes and styles to see in person. In the video, Paul shows a black finish with a flared handle, an antique brass knob, and a heavy oil-rubbed bronze handle with a hammered texture, from Schlage and Emtek.
Come See Them in Person
Doors are one of those things that are easier to choose when you can see them in person. Stop by our new Littleton showroom, or have us out to your house to talk through entry doors in the space they’ll actually live in. We’ll go over all the options and what fits your home best.
Why Choose 12 Penny for Your Entry Door?
We’re homeowners too, and we know what a New England house has to put up with. You can expect clear, honest communication, quality products, a licensed and insured local team, and no pushy sales tactics. Just options that make sense for your home.
We’re proud to serve Littleton, Westford, Acton, Concord, and surrounding towns.
Ready to Talk Doors?
If you have questions or comments, contact us or give us a call at (978) 654-0275. We’d love to speak with you about your next home exteriors project.
