A front door has become more than just a means of access — it can be used to refresh a tired exterior by adding a pop of colour, make a home look warm and welcoming to visitors and really lift the look of a housing estate, encouraging tenants to take pride in their home. Here, Patrick Dean, Head of Sales and Marketing at Door-Stop, explores the various design options available when specifying a front door.
The first thing to consider is the style. As a result of the industry focus moving towards a door’s aesthetic value, there is a wide range of designs available to choose from, such as the contemporary cassette style with a glazed panel strip or a sunburst arc top door, ideal for a more traditional exterior.
Next is colour. Gone are the days when choice was limited to black, brown or white. Specifiers can now choose from a great selection of shades, including the modern anthracite grey, vintage Chartwell green and a lively poppy red. A colourfully vibrant door can give a property’s exterior a real face-lift, offering a positive reflection of the local authority and housing association, as well as the wider community.
The colour offering within the door industry is also constantly evolving, with some manufacturers introducing options to have colour on both sides of the door, delivering both a refreshed exterior and interior appearance.
The final element in the design of a new door is the hardware, such as locks, handles and door-knockers. Fortunately, there is an extensive range of hardware available to help complete the look; for example, Door-Stop’s Long Bar suite, or the Sweet range with its sleek and simple accessories, would be perfect for a contemporary door. Alternatively, for a more traditional feel, its Classic suite would be a good fit.
It is clear that there is an abundance of design options available to local authorities when specifying new front doors, with a colourful and stylish door having a positive effect on both the tenant and the overall building’s appearance.
