Finding the perfect front door for your home

Your front door is the centerpiece of your curb appeal. New entry doors can make your home stand out from the rest of the block while boosting your property’s energy efficiency. If you’re interested in door installation in Alexandria, you’ve come to the right place.

Finding the perfect door replacement for your home is more challenging than it seems. Once you begin searching, you’ll find hundreds of options, ranging in materials, styles, installation methods, and more.

Below, our door installation experts at NOVA Exteriors in Alexandria, VA, discuss how you can find the perfect front door for your home in just a few simple steps.

Select a Style

The best way to narrow your options is by selecting your Alexandria door style. You likely want the door to match the aesthetic of your home. You can easily pick the style by considering the appearance of your entire property.

Learn more about the most popular styles for front and patio doors below.

Traditional

Traditional doors typically include detailed wood panels with solid craftsmanship and high-quality finishes. Depending on your preference, you may or may not include glass panels within your traditional door. Many homeowners add symmetrical sidelight windows to compliment the door’s architecture on either side. 

Modern or Contemporary

Modern and contemporary front doors typically include flat, clean lines and sleek finishes. Many modern homes rely on large windows to allow for ample natural light. You can easily incorporate glass into the minimalistic design.

Mid-century

Mid-century doors typically feature even wood paneling like you would see in a home from the 70s, but with a modernized finish. The horizontal wood panels accompanied by fogged glass sidelights can bring your home to a new era while offering durable protection.

Craftsman

Craftsman homes typically feature large wood framing accents, charming details, stylistic columns, and exposed support beams that make simplicity look beautiful. Craftsman-inspired doors add to the artistic beauty of your home by introducing extra color, natural light, and uplifting designs.

Cottage

Nothing says a cozy cottage more than a colorful door. Cottage doors typically match the color of the home’s trim or accent features, though you can select any color and style you please. You may choose vertical paneling and a curved archway at the top for an enchanting appearance or something more classic.

Wrought-iron

Front doors with distinctive wrought-iron details work best on Spanish, Tuscan, French country, or New Orleans-style homes. You can select simple bars or intricate hand-made designs, depending on your preference.

Glass

If you’re interested in the most modern and trending door installation in Alexandria, consider a glass door. Entirely glass doors offer maximum natural light, flat and sleek finishes, and optimal style integration.

Before picking a glass door, consider how you may block the light or add privacy when necessary. Note that glass doors are also the least durable of all the styles mentioned thus far.

Pick the Material

After selecting your preferred door style, it’s time to pick the material. You can get most of the styles above in nearly any material. For example, you may think a traditional door must be wood, though you can purchase composite doors that mimic the appearance of various timbers.

All construction materials have pros and cons. You must weigh the practical advantages and disadvantages of the materials below, beyond their stylistic appearances, to make the best decision for your home.

Wood

Wood is the most classic door material. Some of the most popular grains include oak, cedar, iroko, and larch, though you can select finishes and stains in just about any shade you desire. Wood works best for traditional, mid-century, craftsman, cottage, and wrought-iron-accent doors.

While wood may stand strong against intruders or wind, it doesn’t withstand moisture or extreme temperature fluctuations well. Wood doors often experience warping, so you must keep up with regular maintenance.

A standard wood door may cost around $350, while a custom-designed bespoke solid wood door can cost up to $3,000.

Metal

Metal doors are safe, cost-effective, and durable. The most common types of metal doors include steel and aluminum. Many steel and aluminum door manufacturers include product guarantees for as long as 20 years.

Metal offers the most modern and sleek finish, making it perfect for contemporary homes, though you could easily incorporate it into other designs. The extreme durability offers optimal thermal performance and minimal maintenance requirements. You should expect to pay upwards of $2,500 for a premium metal door.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass-composite doors mimic the natural appearance of wood and other materials, though they offer better durability and fewer maintenance requirements. The modern solution works best with all the style options listed above since the design choices are versatile. Many consider fiberglass to be the best door material option available.

ProVia doors may be the most popular fiberglass doors on the market because of their variety of excellent styling options, maintenance-free finishes, and lifetime durability. At NOVA Exteriors, we’re an exclusive provider of ProVia doors.

UPVC

Like fiberglass, UPVC offers a natural wood-like finish. The lightweight plastic holds up surprisingly well against various weather patterns and requires minimal maintenance. Unfortunately, the lightweight design makes it less secure against intruders.

Consider the Finishing Touches

After selecting your door style and material, it’s time to add the finishing touches. The door’s hardware and glass panels can elevate the style, add security, and improve energy efficiency.

Be sure to include a multi-locking system with heavy-duty hinges and high-quality handles. Maximum security locking systems keep your home safe. We recommend selecting anti-tarnish finishes for longer-lasting lifespans.

Contact an Expert Door Installation Contractor

After picking your new door, you’ll need to hire a contractor to install the system for you. At NOVA Exteriors, we provide door installations in Alexandria with various ProVia options to suit your needs. During our free in-home consultation, we can help you select the best front door for boosting curb appeal and maximizing energy efficiency.

Call NOVA Exteriors today at (703) 322-1500 or fill out our online form for door installation in Alexandria.

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