For years, the national Cost vs. Value Report has revealed that replacement of an entry door will provide a good return on investment.1 Entry doors play a big part in creating curb appeal which is defined as the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street. Curb appeal is similar to the immediate impression that people develop when they first meet someone.
For a home, research has shown that a good first impression can raise the value by anywhere from 7 to 14 percent.2 Curb appeal encompasses every aspect of the exterior street view of your home, from the landscaping, to exterior paint or siding, to your front door. As spring approaches, manufacturers are providing lots of options to spruce up your front door, and your curb appeal.
Locksmiths provide useful tips when it comes to entry doors and types of locks for both safety and aesthetics.
Focusing on your front door, everything from paint that provides a pop of color, to new door hardware, to a new welcome mat can help improve curb appeal.3 When it comes to entry door hardware you don’t want outdated hardware that has a lackluster, pitted finish to be the first thing to greet your guests.
Updated Hardware Options
The most popular entry door hardware finishes trending today are matte black, satin brass and polished nickel, according to Schlage.4 But there are lots of other finishes available to fit every door style and homeowner’s taste. Some additional common door hardware finishes include stainless steel, chrome, bronze (including oil rubbed bronze), antique pewter and satin nickel.
When choosing a hardware finish, be sure that there are accessories available in the same matching finish. These accessories might include lighting, address numbers, a slot for the mailbox and even the doorbell. If you live in an area prone to salt spray, humidity or other harsh environmental factors, or if your entrance door gets a lot of use, pay close attention to the manufacturer’s warranty, which can range from several years to a lifetime. There are also coatings that manufacturers have on certain products that make the hardware retain its out-of-the-box appearance for longer periods of time.
New Doors and Locks for Improvment
Updating the style of your entry door hardware can also enhance curb appeal. Something as simple as going from a knob-style handle to a lever-style handle can transition the look from traditional to contemporary. But if you want to remain with a traditional look, the wrought-iron look of a matte black lever-type handleset will blend perfectly with any door style but will still provide an updated look.
Besides choosing between a knob and a lever-type handleset, manufacturers offer a wide range of styles from which to choose to create an individualized look for your entry. Modern or contemporary style handlesets feature clean, rectangular designs with minimal ornamentation. By simply adding a bit of scalloping to the edges of the handleset manufacturers bridge the gap between modern and traditional Colonial style as seen with the Camelot handleset by Schlage, which the company markets as being in the transitional design category. Schlage even gives buyers of this handleset various choices of knob and level styles to allow for even more customization.5 Manufacturers offer handlesets that fit with every home style from traditional, to transitional, to mid-century modern to contemporary.
There are a number of considerations when you install a new handleset on an existing door and these considerations can be daunting for homeowners who don’t have the time, the energy or the expertise to determine what new handleset will work with their existing door. That is where a professional locksmith can be invaluable. A locksmith can assess your situation and determine options for you to achieve the unique look that you desire.
Keep your doors and locks up to date, properly installed and functioning with the locksmith services of Action Locksmith in Michigan. Our residential and commercial locksmith services include everything from re-keying locks, door repair and installation, installing camera systems, keyless entry and more! With 24-hour emergency lockout service and security consultations there isn’t much that we can’t do. Our locksmith technicians are experienced, professional and resourceful.
Questions on doors, locks and more? Contact us and speak with a specialist today!
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1 2019 Burglary-Forced Entry, Michigan Incident Crime Reporting
Link: https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2021/east-north-central/
2 How Much Does Curb Appeal Affect Home Value? 1/27/2020
Link: https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/01/27/how-much-does-curb-appeal-affect-home-value
3 What is Curb Appeal and Why Does It Matter? by Laura Mueller, 6/23/2021
Link: https://www.moving.com/tips/what-is-curb-appeal-and-why-does-it-matter/
4 The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Finish for Your Home, 3/15/2021
Link: https://www.schlage.com/blog/categories/2021/03/guide-to-perfect-hardware-finish.html
5 Refresh Your Curb Appeal with These 10+ Front Door Hardware Styles, 12/15/2021
Link: https://www.schlage.com/blog/categories/2021/12/door-hardware-curb-appeal.html