They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. However how many of us browse the shelves of a good local bookshop and skip past the titles with uninspiring covers? Similar can be said for the front doors to our homes. First impressions are everything. The external door sets the tone for the rest of the house therefore it is important to ensure yours projects the style you feel is in line with the rest of your abode. This article looks at the different types of external doors to help you decide on the right look for your home.

The type of house you choose to live in reflects your own sense of style. Perhaps you prefer the history and atmosphere of an old period building, or perhaps the convenience of a new built is more to your taste. Whichever you prefer, make sure the front door adheres to the style of the rest of the house and is consistent with neighbouring styles. Take a look at the surrounding properties to see what works and perhaps what does not.

If you have a periodic home, you may choose a Late Georgian style (1700-1800). The style of these external doors tends to be solid timber, normally painted a shade of black or dark green, and usually divided into six panels.
Throughout the Victorian age (1837 to 1901) paintwork became a little more experimental including shades of dark blue, brown, dark red and olive-yellow green. Stained windows or etched-glass panels started to make an appearance. Styles from the Edwardian era (1901-10) contain a mixture of two colours. Porches and joinery would also be painted in the same combination; quite an individual taste. By the time of the Art Deco years 1910-1939, doors often had a couple of vertical panels in the lower two-thirds of the door, with a single panel across the top featuring oval stained glass. The remaining motifs of leaves or flowers are symbolic of this era.
Modern external doors tend to display horizontal lines as opposed to the vertical lines of the traditional styles. They also favour towards sandblasted glass instead of decorative and are usually painted in a contemporary colour.

Other considerations for jazzing up your door could be adding a new letterbox. The Royal Mail encouraged homeowners to add these in 1849 so it is really from the Victorian era we see these appearing in front doors. If you find letter boxes in doors pre-dating this time, it is likely they were added at a later stage. Popular options today are brass or chrome or rustic wrought iron.
Decorative name plaques, house numbers, door knockers or lighting are other options for adding a little touch of class to your external door.

Finally, security is paramount when installing a new external door. Most insurance companies will even specify the type and number of locks expected on the front door.

The entrance to a house totally sets the tone for the entire look of your property so it is important to make sure the style and colour are right. Whether you live in a country cottage or a city centre townhouse, make sure your external doors project the right first impressions for your home.

About the Author

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in home improvement Find out more about external doors and why the right external door is important for creating the right first impression of your home.

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