Get the Right Door for Your House

Choosing the right door for your home is more than just a functional decision—it’s an opportunity to enhance your house’s character and curb appeal. A well-chosen door can serve as a focal point, reflecting your home’s architectural style and personal taste. Whether renovating a historic Queen Anne or updating a modern ranch, the perfect door can make a lasting impression.

6 Classic Door Styles

Choosing the right door involves more than matching themes. Take a closer look at six popular American home—and door—styles below.

Queen Anne

Queen Anne-style homes, with their ornate details and romantic charm, demand doors that match their elaborate look. Victorian-era doors for these homes typically feature a single pane or leaded glass in their upper portions, complemented by intricate carvings and moldings below. These doors often incorporate rich, warm colors to enhance the home’s welcoming appearance.

A prime example of a Queen Anne-style door is a raised-panel prehung red oak door with a single window flanked by sidelights. Such a door provides security and allows natural light to filter into the entryway, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Available at HeartWood

Craftsman

Craftsman-style doors celebrate honest construction and simple yet elegant design. They typically feature flat, rectangular panels that showcase the natural beauty of the wood grain. Windows in Craftsman doors often boast elaborate leaded-glass designs, adding a touch of artistry to the overall look.

A classic Craftsman door might be a white oak slab with Frank Lloyd Wright-style windows and dentil molding. This style emphasizes clean lines and natural materials, perfectly complementing the architectural elements of a Craftsman home. This appreciation for natural beauty and craftsmanship extends to the home’s interior, creating a seamless visual experience. 

Available at Home Depot

Ranch

Ranch-style homes, known for their horizontal lines and open floor plans, pair well with contemporary doors that match their clean, modern design. These doors often feature alternating glass and wood panels, creating a fascinating visual rhythm that complements the home’s linear design.

An excellent choice for a ranch home might be an alternating glass-and-knotty-alder wood slab door. This type of door provides a modern look and ample natural light into the entryway. By integrating natural and artificial lighting, the design helps to balance functionality and beauty. 

Available at Doors By Decora

Tudor Revival

With their distinctive half-timbered exteriors and steep rooflines, Tudor Revival homes call for doors that echo their medieval English inspiration. These doors feature board-and-batten construction, and vertical planks held together by horizontal battens.

A typical Tudor-style door might be a thick, slat-style African mahogany slab with an arched or pointed top and a small window. These doors provide a sturdy and rustic look, perfectly complementing the Tudor Revival aesthetic. Consider hardware with aged finishes or wrought-iron detailing to further enhance the authentic medieval feel. 

Available at Clark Hall Doors

Cape Cod

With their simple, symmetrical designs, Cape Cod-style homes originated as colonial-era fishermen’s cottages. These charming homes’ doors often feature raised panels and upper windows, balancing functionality with a touch of traditional elegance.

A typical Cape Cod door might be a four-panel pine slab door with two lights (windows) in the upper portion. This design allows natural light into the home while maintaining privacy and security. Some homeowners opt for decorative shutters or pastel paint colors for added charm. 

Available at JELD-WEN

Colonial Revival

Colonial Revival homes exude symmetry and formality—their doors should reflect this look. Raised-panel doors are a hallmark of this style, often accented with a fanlight above and flanking sidelights to create a grand entrance.

A classic Colonial Revival door might be a prehung five-panel Spanish cedar surrounded by true divided lights. This style creates a stately, welcoming entrance that perfectly complements the home’s formal architecture. The rich wood and carefully crafted details can enhance the door’s visual impact.

Available at Marvin Windows and Doors

Choosing the Right Door for Your Home’s Style

Consider these factors for a well-rounded decision:

• Architectural style: Make sure the door complements your home’s overall design
• Material: Choose a material that balances aesthetics, durability, and maintenance requirements
• Energy efficiency: Look for doors with good insulation properties to help reduce energy costs
• Security features: Consider doors with robust locking systems and sturdy construction
• Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to invest in your new door

Selecting a door is an opportunity to reflect your style while meeting your home’s structural needs. Backyard doors and other external entries also deserve careful selection. These aspects can all contribute to creating a cohesive and functional living environment.

Door Maintenance and Care

Regular maintenance can prolong the life and beauty of your new door. Here’s how to keep it looking and functioning its best:

1. Clean regularly with a mild soap and water solution.
2. Inspect weatherstripping and replace as needed to maintain energy efficiency.
3. Lubricate hinges and locks annually to promote smooth operation.
4. Touch up paint or refinish wood doors as necessary to protect against weathering.
5. Check for any signs of damage or wear and address issues promptly.

Adding these tasks to your home maintenance routine can extend the door’s lifespan. Seasonal inspections can prevent minor issues from becoming significant problems.

Our Conclusion

By carefully considering your home’s architectural style, personal preferences, and practical factors like energy efficiency and security, you can select a door that enhances your home’s appearance. Investing time and thought in this decision can produce a rewarding outcome, making your home’s entrance a source of pride and pleasure.