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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers®
If you’re in the market for a new entry door and already know that you want the natural beauty of wood grain to welcome you home, have you considered color? It’s not as intuitive as when you choose to paint, but there’s still a wide range of possibilities. A quality entry door stain can customize a door to really suit a façade and boost curb appeal, so be sure to explore the options to find an awesome look for your home!
Not sure where to start? Look for a nice medium brown tone and see what you think. You can’t really go wrong with this option on most homes—it puts forth a clear look of wood and works with the neutral colors favored on the majority of exterior designs. It gets the job done and could even make a statement if paired with very light or cool colors.
For a bolder and brighter aesthetic, consider a warmer finish with yellow tones. Golden hues look great in all sorts of applications; they can suggest a sun-kissed entry on a muted exterior or become a welcome pop of contrast on a colorful design. If you like the classic color of naturally finished oak, this takes it just a step further!
While some wood species finish yellowy, others deepen their red hues. Finishing to a rich red color is an awesome option if you live in an area that, historically, has had access to redwood lumber. It looks stunning on Southwestern homes as well as the Craftsman designs made famous in California. An entry with this look will definitely get noticed for its beautiful rustic appeal.
When you prefer the appearance of washed-out wood instead, go for a finish that seems softer, worn, and aged. Especially appropriate for beach homes, where the sun, sea spray, and salt air tend to bleach natural materials, this aesthetic is perfect for a front door when the house is decked out in a gentle gray palette. Imagine getting that beautiful worn character from a stain, no waiting necessary!
And of course, you can take a road less travelled with a unique stain that makes a statement. You won’t find anything too out of the ordinary—that’s a role for paint to fill—but even subtle variations really stand out on a wood grain surface. There’s a huge difference between a pure red stain and one with purple tones, as well as deep brown versus black. Each is still within the realm of natural possibilities, but not at all expected.
The lovely examples shown here are all energy-efficient, durable fiberglass entries from Therma-Tru® Doors in some of their new-in-2018 PrismaGuard™ finishes. There are nine awesome colors to give you the opportunity to personalize your front door, all factory-applied and protected with a durable topcoat and a 10-year limited warranty. Find a dealer near you to discuss the possibilities and find a great look for your house!