We decided on this style of front door.
These are just a couple of pictures from online showing the type of door. The one above is called a 4 lite over 1 panel door...which is standard but we are going for a larger door so...
...ours will be "6-lite" style. We love the more vintage look. We thought about a solid door but we're going with windows in it so we can let light into the foyer. We would like to have had a double door, but with the size of the foyer, this was the only way to go. We're also not big on the side windows and figured "let's just do glass IN the door". We like to be able to see out. We MAY go with frosted glass or even a vintage wavy glass, that remains to be seen but leaning toward clear. We can always hang a curtain up on the inside, maybe something breezy and gauzy looking to filter the light.
It's going to be 38 inches wide (for a little more ease of bringing things in and out) and we upgraded to 8 feet tall instead of the standard height.
It's solid wood (standard was hollow/fiberglass and we wanted something solid) and will be mahogany. We are doing the ebony black stain for the dramatic look, because 2nd Man's big request was for a black front door. He's always wanted that and when we saw what it looks like on a red/white barn color house...
Well, we loved it. So black door it is! Ours will look like this (only with glass in it).
And, many of you know that we're kind of 'tech nerds'...
Well, we upgraded to have the newest biometric front door lock. Because, well, every farmhouse needs to have some 21st century flare, right?
We can even use our watches to open it. Never fear, we did a lot of research and it is super safe, but if we decide to just turn it off, it has an old fashioned key deadbolt as well, ha.
We still haven't decided on a screen door or a storm door. I would love to have a screen door but that would of course take away from the beautiful front door. We'll have a screen door on the back porch so maybe a storm door? Again, not sure if we need that.
We figure that even from the inside, it will at least be somewhat dramatic in the foyer. This would be the inside look (again, not our house, just a sample, ha):
Looks pretty good! We'll even have lighter colored floors like this (to be decided soon). And hey, I can still put our wreaths up, ha!
I do like the black door effect.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up on a farm ( in Iowa) we had a screen door.
Would have the inside door open; open up all the windows for air circulation moving throughout the house.
Back in the day, we didn't have to worry about locking up our doors and windows, but then we also didn't have no AC unit.
Driving in the car, we had what was called '280' air conditioning; roll down both windows and go 80 mph.
oh my gosh, I remember my parents calling it 280 air conditioning, ha. And remember "wing windows"? I know most younger people today don't have a clue what those were, ha. Yeah, I like a screen door but I think we'll just have to live wit the one on the back.
Delete'wing windows', oh. how I remember them.
DeleteCan you imagine kids now days having to use a dial phone and having a party line? They would be totally clueless on how to use one.
When building a new home; so many things to think about but I do think that a storm/screen door would protect your inside door from bad weather conditions.
Enjoy your day and may you both have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
One thing to consider is that when you live out in the country, you are gonna have to be your own "911". If something happens, by the time the police get there, it will be all over with, good or bad. The house needs to be made as secure as possible. A solid front door with no glass would be best, with a doorbell camera, so you can see who is out there. If you have to have glass, maybe a lucite panel on the outside. Hard to break that stuff. Anyway, something to think about. Security is important out in the country side, and it will only get more important as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good point and we have thought about that. The house will be WELL secured, 2nd Man is already researching cameras, floodlights that are smart and can record and set off sirens, etc. When we had the house in town a few years ago, we had the alarm company put the largest, most oversized speaker in the attic at the front of the house, that think could be heard blocks away, ha. It was uncomfortable to be inside the house it was so loud, ha. But yeah, we're already thinking ahead and there are solutions we're finding that can make glass almost unbreakable so we'll be looking into that. ;-)
DeleteI think the door is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteNot sure if you care, but will the front door be facing east, west, or south? Reason being, we are in Hot South Texas. Those three directions may have a hot sun facing that door for 4 to 5 (or more if the door faces south) hours depending on the time of year and direction. Take it from a homeowner, you might want to paint it white. Just saying. . .
ReplyDeleteThe door will face East, but very large trees blocking the path and the door is deeper under the porch so it will probably always be in mostly shade. But we'll definitely take a look at that once the frame is up and the temp door is in place so we can make sure. Thank you for the reminder! Stay tuned, ha.
Deletei love it. if you are worried about heat, get insulated glass. i had that in my garden room at the main house and it was great.
ReplyDeleteAll the windows, including the door, are low-e and insulated. I'll have a post about windows up at some point but I should have mentioned this glass is double paned, we paid a little extra for that.
DeleteWow don't see locks like that around here and it is a nice looking door
ReplyDeleteWhen we were locked in our house, I asked the locksmith about getting a push-button lock. He said they were not as secure as a key deadbolt. I wonder if yours is something high tech and better deadbolt. Would you share the brand and model so I can check? I am so over struggling with a key.
ReplyDeleteIf I paid for mahogany, I would want it to show. I would never have window anyone could break, solid door all the way. Sidelights would work well for me. It is best to get a wide door for getting a coffin in and out...lol. Tall door means a lot. It looks impressive except for the windows. Those look dangerous but great for intruders.
Good looking door. It goes well with your house style and color.
ReplyDeleteFor security, could you get impact-resistant or polycarbonate glass in it?
My front door faces north and I have a glass storm door in front of my steel front door. The storm door really helps when a cold norther blows in, adding another barrier to the cold and rain and protecting my front door. My cousin in Spring, Tx doesn’t have a storm door and during the hurricane, he had rain blown in through the panels of his wood door.
It must be so exciting making all these plans for the new house!
I love the look. Sad that a couple of people are worried about intruders, are the rural areas really that unsafe? Are you dog people? Dogs make wonderful alarm systems. Mahogany will be solid and you can use unbreakable glass.
ReplyDeleteLooks very nice. As to storm doors there are full glass ones available that can be half screen in the summer. Screen is rolled up inside the top of door and comes down as you slide the glass down. We installed two of these in the spring. Made by Andersen I think.
ReplyDeleteMy son built a very nice home with a pretty door. They wanted a screen door that would not cover up the door so they found a company that makes a rolling screen. You can't see it unless it is pulled out across the door and latched firmly. It hides when it rolls up beside the door
ReplyDeleteYou know I always have to put my 2cents in ... I'd check with your fire department / EMTs and find out the width they suggest. You never know when you will need a gurney to go in or out .. and it's so much easier if there is a wide enough door, plus room to pivot on the porch to head to a ramp ( preferred) or stairs to the ground. Not that you've been there, though at the apartment, you know what I'm talking about!!
ReplyDeleteA thing to consider for security cameras and key locks is when the electricity goes out. Unless you are planning on having a generator, all those things do not work when electricity is out. An example would be the hotels and their key locks. When the electricity goes out, the doors automatically open and if you happen to be staying at one and not there , your room is open to all.
ReplyDelete