The front door is much more than just an entry point to your house, it makes a statement about the people who live inside. A stylish and well-crafted door makes a grand entrance.

Fortunately for homeowners, when it comes to choosing a new front door for the home manufacturers offer a wide selection of styles — some even allow for custom details.

There are many things you need to take into consideration when choosing a stylish front door for your home. Read on to find out what your options are:

The materials:

	Solid Wood
	Solid wood doors have long been the traditional favorite. Popular types of wood include oak, cherry, maple and mahogany. Paint-grade doors also come in pine and hemlock.
	Although solid wood doors are beautiful, they can be quite expensive — especially when custom designed. The pay-off, however, is not just a functional door, but what amounts to a work of art at the front of your home. If you can afford it, it is money well spent.
	Engineered wood
	If you love the look of wood but simply can’t fit it into the budget, doors made with engineered wood products and a wood veneer offer the look of wood — at a more affordable price.
	Whether you choose solid wood or engineered wood, wood doors need to be stained and finished to prevent swelling and warping from moisture. Opt for a high-gloss finish for a great look and superior protection.
	Steel
	Steel doors are strong and durable — and cost effective. Made with a steel exterior, these doors have either an inner wood, or steel, frame as well as high density foam insulation for greater energy efficiency. Different models offer different coatings for more durability and weather resistance.
	Fiberglass
	Fiberglass doors are gaining in popularity. They are durable, strong and — as they don’t rust or corrode — maintenance-free. Options such as wood grain paneling and high definition design mean fiberglass doors can look just like a wood door, yet their construction means they have a higher insulation rating. Small wonder that more and more homeowners are opting for this material.
	Jeld-Wen Premium Fiberglass doors with PUR-fiber technology have more than twice the amount of fiberglass content than is common in the industry, making them stronger than other fiberglass doors.
	Aluminum
	Aluminum doors come in a variety of styles, colors and finishes. As with the steel door construction, they have a metal exterior with foam insulation inside.

The style

From elaborated carved wood panels, to decorative glass and window and door combinations… there are hundreds of options for choosing a style to match both your home and your personality. Homeowners are looking for more than just a door for their front entry though; they want windows, transoms and sidelights as well.

And manufacturers are responding.

Jeld-Wen’s IWP Aurora Classic custom fiberglass doors look like wood and with both an Old World and a Craftsman-style design they exude a timeless elegance that complements both traditional and modern architecture.

The color

A painted door can either color coordinate with other elements of the home, or make a dramatic focal point all on its own.

Don’t limit yourself to just looking at your home for inspiration when it comes to color though. If the dahlias in your garden put on a brilliant show, why not complement that gorgeous color on your front door?

When choosing paint, make sure to always use high quality paints and primers to keep your door looking its best longer.

The hardware

Give your door a great new look with new hardware. From doorknockers to unique door handles, distinctive hardware is a great way to add that extra creative touch to your front entry system.

For more information about Jeld-Wen Premium Fiberglass doors check their web site at: www.jeld-wen.com