Thursday, September 28, 2017

5 Ways to Upgrade your Front Door

How often do you think about your front door? Probably not a whole lot.

Besides being the gateway to your home, your front entry is one of the first things people notice when they visit. The choices you make about style and colour can say a lot about who you are. But it’s not all about pretty doors! Exterior doors get a lot of use, are exposed to the elements and are prone to wear and tear.  It’s crucial to keep them in tip top shape.

If you feel like your front door is in serious need of a spruce just like ours did, here are 5 DIY’s that you can tackle yourself to help drastically improve your front door.

PAINT IT

Nothing has a bigger impact than a fresh coat of paint. Whether you decide to go big and bold or just stay neutral, colour can play an important role.

I opted for a classic black and white look.  Keep in mind, you always want to use a paint formula made specifically for exteriors. This will help with moisture resistance and durability.

Don’t be afraid to change the colour of your door bell, house numbers, or even a storm door.  There are a ton of spray paints on the market that make it easy to change the colour of these items just like I have.



For more info on how we updated the trim around the front door, click here.

UPGRADE GLASS INSERT / PRIVACY FILM

The wrong type of glass insert or even an old dingy privacy film can date your front door pretty quickly.

Glass inserts can get pretty expensive but there are a ton of secondhand options on sites like Kijiji or Criagslist that you can find dirty cheap.  If you’re handy, doing the installation yourself is fairly straight forward. There’s a ton of tutorials online to help navigate your way through the switch. Thanks to my amazing best friend, Barbara, (who has a dad in the door business), she graciously provided me with the glass insert and did the install so quickly!

Window film is another great way to add more privacy to your home.  This is commonly used on clear glass.  There are a ton of products on the market but this one is my favourite. Our sidelites, which flank either side of our front door, got an application of mirrored window film. I personally think it’s the modern day version of frosted privacy films.

ADD NEW DOOR HARDWARE

The right door hardware makes a BIG difference! Choosing a high quality product like Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt and Century Front Entry Handle and Latitude Lever will not only improve the aesthetics of your front door but it make everyday life so much easier.

Smart locks are all the rage and with so many different styles and finishes to choose from, Schlage makes it easy to customize your preferences.

Schlage also has a free app that keeps you connected at all times.  You can create and delete up to 30 access codes and share the access codes with family and friends; you can create a custom schedule for your access codes and can check the status of your door. Also, Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt now has Android smartphone compatibility, as well.

Going keyless is one of the best thing ever especially for a busy mom who doesn’t have to fumble for keys now.

MAKE IT ENERGY EFFICIENT

The most common way to lose energy is through your front door. By simply replacing things such as your weather-stripping and door sweep can make a notable difference.

The goal is to keep out environment hazards like water and dirt while keeping heat and air flow inside. These items are inexpensive to purchase and can be found at nearly every hardware store.

DON’T FORGET TO ACCESSORIZE

Door knockers, mats, mailboxes, light fixtures and pretty wreaths are like jewelry for front doors. Add one or two—but don’t overdo it.  You also can’t go wrong with a touch of freshness.  Adding urns with fresh greens or flowers make a great impact that could last all season.

Disclosure: I am thrilled to collaborate with Schlage in our outdoor project. The views and opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

 

The post 5 Ways to Upgrade your Front Door appeared first on Pink Little Notebook.



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