Entryways Provide invitation to home

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Is your Home People Friendly?

Does your home have at least one "barrier-free" entrance without steps and with an easy to open door?

Is there a bench or other seating outside your front door to provide a comfortable environment for elderly or disabled guests to wait until you are able to greet them?

Are the doorways and hallways in your home wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or large stroller? (An added benefit of large doorways and hallways is an illusion of spaciousness, even in small living spaces, and they make moving furniture less cumbersome.)

Is there a bathroom on the main floor of your home? Is this bathroom large enough to accommodate someone in a wheelchair using a walker? Can a disabled visitor easily use the commode or sink? Even in small guest bathrooms, an enclosed vanity can be replaced with a pedestal sink to create more space and enhance leg room.

Are the area rugs in your family room, recreation room or other communal areas flat or recessed into the floor to prevent tripping and to accommodate a guest on crutches or one who is using a cane?

As the kitchen has become the "social epicentre" of the home, is yours equipped with multi-level counter spaces to accommodate people of different heights and abilities? Is it large enough to allow comfortable manoeuvring by a guest with any physical disabilities, particularly an individual in a wheelchair?

Is the lighting in your living room, family room or other common area of a high enough wattage to accommodate guests with cataracts or decreased visual acumen? (Before increasing wattage in your lamps and fixtures, make sure they can safely accommodate the additional energy level.)

Are the interior doors in your home equipped with lever handles instead of traditional door knobs so that guests with arthritis or other hand- or arm-related physical limitations can easily enter and exit without having to grasp or turn their wrists?

Is there a smooth transition (no steps) to your backyard, patio or deck so your guests can enjoy both the indoor and outdoor areas of your home?

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Does your home’s front entrance provide an invitation or just an entrance? Does it cause people to take notice or drive on by? Just like a finely manicured lawn and a well-maintained exterior add curb appeal to a home, so too, does the front entrance. A home’s front entry is one of the first elements visitors see of your home.

“Ten years ago, homeowners personalized their entry by incorporating decorative glass into their entry door,” says Jeff Kibler of Peachtree Doors and Windows. “Today, homeowners want dramatic entries - not just a door but an entire entry system and foyer. Manufacturers have responded with a variety of options for customizing an entry.” 

Many of today’s new homes boast two-story foyers with lots of glass in the door, and complementary windows alongside (sidelites) and above (transoms) it. And the doors themselves are getting larger. Single and double doors in 8-, 9- and 10-foot heights are not uncommon in many areas of the country. Some homeowners even choose side-by-side hinged patio doors for their entry to draw in the maximum amount of light.

If you’re considering remodelling your front entry or building a new home, you face many decisions about a door’s basic material, performance, complementary windows and accessories, and security.

Basic materials

Entry doors are primarily constructed of steel, fibreglass and wood. The material that is right for your home will depend on cost, desired look and, to a limited degree, geography.

Steel is the top-selling entry door material because it is sturdy, secure and can be painted to match a home. Steel is generally the most cost-conscious option available; however, it is susceptible to denting, rusting and corrosion in coastal areas.

Many homeowners choose a wood entry door, the second most popular material, because of the wood grain character. It also provides security, and can be stained or painted to complement the rest of a home. Wood requires regular maintenance to ward off rot and keep it looking good. 

Fiberglas doors are the fastest growing segment of the entry door market. A smooth fibreglass door provides the characteristics of steel but won’t dent or corrode in coastal climates. Textured fibreglass looks like a wood door but does not require the maintenance of wood.

Performance

Because entry doors and windows can be one of the biggest sources of energy loss in a home, manufacturers have devoted considerable attention to improving their products’ performance. Look for Energy Star ratings to determine the energy performance of a product. Generally, steel and fibreglass doors are more efficient - up to 6 or 7 times greater - than wood doors because both are filled with dense insulation. 

The frame system can also be a source of inefficiency. Look for sagging and gaps in the frame where the corners join. Complementary components such as sidelites and transoms should fit snugly into the frame. Peachtree uses a single frame system for a door, sidelites and some transoms, which maximizes performance, provides cleaner sightlines and prevents sagging. If you’re interested in reducing maintenance, then a fibreglass door with a frame clad with aluminium or another material may be your best option.

Sills comprised completely of synthetic materials with a weep system to drain water will help minimize maintenance for homeowners. Many can be adjusted up or down to prevent air from leaking in or out between the door and the sill.

Decorative Elements

Mechanics aside, most homeowners are interested in how an entry system looks. Decorative glass is the most popular accessory and is available in several sizes, shapes and patterns for the entry door and sidelites.

“Homeowners continue to use decorative glass to put a signature on their front entry,” Kibler says. “Decorative glass delivers the look homeowners want to convey - whether it's traditional, contemporary, or art deco.” Most manufacturers have several patterns from which to choose. Peachtree offers seven choices, in addition to clear glass.

The patterns in decorative glass are formed by using different types of glass, glass chips and caming, which provides the distinctive outline to the patterns. Caming is available in options such as brass, zinc and black patina.

These decorative glass patterns can also be incorporated into complementary windows - sidelites and transoms to finish off your invitation.

Where and how to buy

Entry doors are generally sold through lumber yards, home centres and window and door dealers. The installation of a new door, especially a door with sidelites, transoms and complementary fixed windows, can be quite involved. Installation should be left to a professional contractor or a skilled do-it-yourselfer.

To help you consider all of the factors that can shape your home’s invitation, visit www.peachtreedoor.com to request free literature and locate a dealer near you.

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Build Like a Pro: Windows and Doors Hands-on advice for the homeowner With the hands-on advice of veteran carpenter Scott McBride, you’ll be able to replace or repair doors and windows like a pro. Detailed step-by-step instructions,.. Build Like a Pro: Windows and Doors