It doesn’t take a whole-house renovation to refresh the look of your Dallas home. You can simply replace your front entry door to make a big visual impact on your curb appeal. This can add a lot of character to the style of your home’s entry, foyer or porch. There are several front door types to choose from, each bringing a different style and unique look to your property.

The configuration of your entry is as good a place to start as any. Carefully considering the configuration of your door will go a long way toward achieving the look you want, whether that encompasses a single front door, double entry doors or added elements such as decorative sidelights or transoms. Check out these popular front door configurations and options.

Let the Light Stream Through

Front door designs with glass set inside the door is a great choice. You can go with entry doors with sidelights or try some other decorative glass elements such as a transom. A transom is a horizontal structural beam, bar, crosspiece or window placed above the door itself. Mullions, by contrast, are vertical structural members.

Doors with glass welcome light into the home, adding aesthetic appeal to the overall design. Your front door designs can incorporate clear glass, glass with blinds enclosed within, decorative glass with etching, or frosted glass for privacy. When considering which type is best for you, think about how much light you want to let in, along with the level of privacy you need.

Personalization

Make a stunning statement by selecting a decorative front door design with glass patterns. Create a personalized door that includes leaded glass crystals, beveled glass or stained glass. Decorative glass patterns are sought-after because they are customized to your exact requirements – you won’t see the same model anywhere in a store!

Grilles and between-the-glass options abound, but your capability to do this will vary with the type of door and manufacturer. You can add accents to the outside of the glass for depth, or actually inside the glass to reduce maintenance and the chances of damage such as chipping. You can paint or stain grilles to your liking, whether your home’s style is traditional, craftsman or modern.

Visual Interest

Even the most beautiful door can be a bit plain without some contrast. You may consider adding visual interest with sidelights, which are narrow windows beside an entry door that expand the view and add light. Transom windows, as noted above, add architectural detail and style. The right front door configuration for your home is critical. Choose from a rectangular or arched transom, with sidelights on one or both sides of the door. It’s really up to you – the possibilities are endless!

Seeing Double

Double front doors are an ideal choice if you are going for a big statement and want a grand entrance for guests. They’re surprisingly practical, too, as they offer a wider opening to accommodate large and bulky furniture. Double doors with transoms make even more of an impact. Whether you choose wood, fiberglass, steel or iron, with or without glass, double door entries provide a dramatic look that adds unparalleled value to your home.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Ready to choose the front entry door of your dreams? Contact us in Dallas at 214-973-0373 or email us at sales@dallasdoordesigns.com.

If you’ve been wanting a new interior door for your Dallas home for a while now, it’s time to get going on that project. Choosing the right door style for the interior of your home can seem daunting at first, but once you partner with a custom interior door designer you trust, the process is a piece of cake.

There are many choices available to you, and each one can have a big impact on your overall design. Here are six examples of beautiful interior doors to consider.

1.  Double Door Designs

Double doors bring an elegant Provincial style to your home, with long, slender vertical bottom panels reaching up to smaller raised panels at the top of the door. The spot between the two panels showcases mitered horizontal detailing, perfect for use in a traditional home decor, particularly Georgian or French-Provincial styles.

2.  Gold Trim Doors

The elongated vertical panels are painted the same color as the surrounding walls, with the trim and molding painted a beautiful gold for the epitome of elegance. This uniquely shaped panel creates an indented shape on the bottom portion with an inverted repeat at the top. This is best used in a formal décor style.

3.  Glass Panes and Wood Panel Combination

A classic look and feel that’s great for farmhouse, coastal or traditional décor, these doors pull double duty as transparent and solid entryways within your home. Double doors like these give you a tantalizing glimpse into the room beyond. The whole look can be pulled together with door knobs that match the décor, such as antique or old-fashioned rubbed bronze finishes.

4.  Modern French Doors

The classic concept of the French door can be modernized when the décor suits. This type features sleek thin frames that add an ultra-modern appeal to any room, ideal for an urban loft or other contemporary space.

5.  Arched French Doors

Arched doors are another version of traditional French doors. While standard French doors are beautiful and classy on their own, arched versions add an even more beautiful accent, especially if you want to allow more natural light to get through. Arched French doors are best for rooms featuring luxurious décor and high ceilings.

6.  Mitered Panel Doors

This is a traditional door style with the added benefit of offering more depth to the design due to mitered layers achieving a beveled effect with the outer frame. These are offset by the raised center panel, making this type perfect for luxury contemporary, federal or Georgian home styles.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Here at Dallas Door Designs, we can come up with a beautiful custom look for your new interior doors. Just contact us for a free estimate and consultation.

The windows you select to complement your home not only should add function but an aesthetic appeal too. Whether you want to replace one window or all of them, you have many options available to explore your individual style.

Today’s energy-conscious consumers want to minimize the costs of heating and cooling their homes, getting the biggest bang for their buck while complementing their existing home décor. Whether you’re considering replacement windows for a new addition or a specialty window in your great room, it’s important to explore all your options and do your homework.

Reasons for Replacement

There are many reasons why homeowners decide to replace one or multiple windows. You may be a good candidate if your windows:

• Have single-pane glass or frames and sashes that are temperature-conductive. Homes with cheap, poorly-performing windows will always benefit from window replacement.
• Are in poor condition. Aside from efficiency concerns, windows in poor condition can result in water leaks, humidity issues and, yes, pest infestations. If you have damaged windows, such as cracked panes, non-operational windows and rotting frames, sashes or sills, replacement is a good idea.
• Pose safety concerns. Windows that don’t properly open or shut completely, or that are weak or loose due to improper maintenance or damage, should be replaced.

Design

Of course, energy efficiency is an important factor when choosing windows. But you can’t forget about the design itself. Transoms are one way to achieve a unique look. Think of transoms as the “eyebrow art” of a window. You can choose from fixed transoms for aesthetics only or “active” transoms that open for fresh air. Active transoms give you more depth, so they don’t resemble just a flat piece of glass attached to a wall, says HGTV.

If environmental benefits are high on your priority list when it comes to window design, stay away from configurations such as radius-style windows shaped like half-moons, sun bursts or circles, which don’t open.

Installation

Even the highest quality window won’t perform effectively if it’s installed incorrectly. That’s why you need to find a reputable window designer and installer who knows the nuances of window installation. Some contractors rely excessively on using expanding foams or sealants to get a window to fit right; however, those materials aren’t waterproof and can cause problems down the line. You may want to consider pre-installation waterproofing for the best results.

Flashing and caulking must also be applied by a professional with an eye for detail. Otherwise, the resulting look can be unappealing, not to mention you’re risking moisture and air leaks.

Some window designs are more efficient than others, with the most common types being:

• Double-hung windows. These are traditional units used in most homes, where the bottom slides up to open the unit.
• Casement windows. A crank swings the window outward to open, requiring maintenance on hinges and seals to ensure stability.
• Picture windows. These don’t open, but they are available in many shapes and sizes with a large expanse of glass. Larger picture windows tend not to be as energy efficient as smaller ones simply due to the increase in glass surface area.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Contact us at 214-973-0373 for a free consultation on windows for your Dallas home. We schedule showroom visits Monday through Saturday by appointment only. While you’re here, why not check out our doors too?

Curb appeal…property value…energy efficiency…these are all great reasons to invest in a new front door. But choosing a new one is like choosing a new look for your personal makeover. You have to live with the decision for awhile, so you better make sure you take everything into consideration! From color and materials to style and function, there are several factors to think about when selecting the perfect exterior door. Here are some helpful tips to aid in your decision.

1. Come Up With a Budget

As with any project, the first step is determining exactly what you can spend. Just remember, it’s not uncommon for home improvement costs to go over-budget due to delays in material or labor. A front door replacement is an investment just like replacement windows or a finished basement. So take the time to budget out your project and do some careful reflection. Here are some things to consider as suggested by Porch.com:

• Upfront costs vs. long-term benefits
• Estimated useful life
• Maintenance requirements
• Energy efficiency
• Weather and moisture resistance
• Performance and function
• Features that are included
• Features that would be extra
• Pre-finishing prices or additional staining/painting needed
• Hardware/accessories
• Remodeling other entry features such as stairs, door bell or lighting
  

Bottom line is, you want to add beauty and value to your home without going over-budget in order to achieve it. Take a look at energy-efficient doors that may require higher costs upfront, but that will save you money over the long haul. Likewise, if you spend more on superior construction and materials, you won’t have to worry about high maintenance costs later.

2. Choose Materials

The material you choose for your front door will affect its durability, functionality, energy efficiency and aesthetics. It will also determine what your final price tag will be. From wood to iron to fiberglass, there are several considerations to make.

• Wood: You can enjoy the rich beauty of authentic wood doors highlighted by a classic appearance marked by intricate grain patterns and color marks. There are many wood types and panel styles to select from, plus you get the option of adding decorative glass, historical accents and embellishments. Warm and rustic, wood is a great choice except it’s usually more expensive and more difficult to maintain over the years than other materials.
• Iron: Making a strong architectural statement, wrought iron doors are both highly secure and durable. In addition, they are easy on the eye, as well as functional, easy to maintain, and more ornate than other materials.
• Fiberglass: You get the realistic look of stained wood in many grains, or a smooth panel surface if you prefer a painted door. Fiberglass makes for high-performance, energy-efficient doors that stand up well to the weather and have easy maintenance requirements. You can also choose from a variety of panel styles, decorative glasses and finishes. Plus, they resist dents, rust and corrosion.

3. Consider Size

Not all entryways are created equal. Standard exterior entry doors measure 80 inches tall by 36 inches wide and about two inches thick. However, each home is different, so you may need a larger, taller, thicker or wider door. You may even need a double door. When taking measurements, include space for sidelights, transoms and other decorative accents.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

If you need help choosing your next front door, don’t hesitate to reach out for design assistance. Please contact us at 214-973-0373 or visit our office by appointment in Dallas. We aim to help homeowners like you understand the many factors that go into selecting a front door, helping you every step of the way.

As you consider which kind of entry door to add to your home, it’s important to look beyond color and style. Yes, those elements are certainly important, as they can enhance and add value to the property as a whole. But perhaps even more important is how your new door will look in terms of proportion and scale. Perhaps you’ve come across a front door that just didn’t look right. Maybe the opening was too small for the grandiosity of the chosen door, or perhaps the proportion of the door to the surrounding space was off. Sometimes you just can’t put your finger on what’s wrong — you just know something is.

We see it all the time, and are asked to correct those oversights that came with the original house or as a result of previous shoddy installation and design work.

Check out some common ways in which proportion and scale can impact your exterior doors.

Uniform Grid Work

If you’re looking to incorporate a door with grids and have corresponding windows with grids complementing it, take a step back and look at the way the grids impact the overall look. Are they too busy and small? Do they all match in size and pattern? Sometimes you have to look at the whole appearance of your property to ensure uniformity. It’s not just the door you’re replacing — you have to take into consideration how it looks in relation to other glass elements.

If you currently have a mismatch in grid patterns, you may want to give your home a more open look and feel with a larger grid pattern for additional daylight openings. The last thing you want is for your home to look too busy. Go for cleaner, simpler lines in an effort to better match the scale and proportion of your home.

Door Style

Proportions of the door opening will dictate the style of door that you get. For example, if you have a standard height door with two sidelights and a large transom over the door, you may want to go for a taller, double-door configuration featuring less transom area. This allows you to stretch the appearance of the entryway while reducing the intimidation factor and increasing aesthetics. Another example of poor proportion is when you see double doors that are just not in scale with the home — seemingly squeezed into an ill-fitting opening. No, you don’t have to change the size of the opening and alter the structure. You can add a single door with two sidelights that better enhance the low ceiling height of your porch.

Playing with Proportion

There are certain design rules that traditionalists should stick with in terms of proportion and scale. But some people, particularly those with edgy, more modern homes, decide to throw proportion out the window. It can work — sometimes. You just have to be careful to be deliberate in your design so it follows some proportional and structural detail. Yes, symmetry is a strong tool for choosing a front door, but it’s certainly not the only one. If you’re going for a contemporary expression of shape and form, try an unbalanced exterior door choice as evidenced by this low-slung ranch home outlined by Better Homes and Gardens. This door features a subtle texture as part of its exterior material palette, a variation which bears repeating on the front door. And instead of matching sidelights, try a single window accented with reflective glass.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

If you would like design assistance for your entry doors, don’t hesitate to contact us at 214-973-0373 or visit us at our central location as 1241 Majesty Drive, Suite #102 in Dallas TX. We aim to help homeowners like you understand the importance of proportion and scale when it comes to door replacement. Rest assured we don’t just shove a door into an opening; rather, we take the time to consider the relationship of the door with the rest of the architecture.

One great way to make your home stand out is to install a barn door. This type of door, steeped in tradition, has graced interiors for centuries, signaling a rustic farm-house feel that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Barn doors offer a variety of benefits, ranging from practicality to space-saving designs. They’re also pretty versatile, as you can use them to divide two rooms, decorate a wall, save space in a cramped room, or just because you love the style.

Barn doors are available in singles, by-parting doubles, or bypassing systems comprising two or more doors. The type you choose will depend largely on the amount of existing wall space you have as well as your personal preferences. Take a look at these considerations before attempting a barn door project.

1. Structural Stability

3. Location, Location, Location

Be aware that barn doors inherently have gaps between them and the wall because they don’t lie flush with the opening. Gaps result because they hover over the opening. Therefore, think twice about installing barn doors in rooms where privacy is essential, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, or when you’re going for noise control, such as in a home music studio or kids’ playroom.

Contact Dallas Door Designs, Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Area

If you love the look and functionality of a barn door and want to incorporate one into your home, contact us at 214-973-0373. We would be happy to show you our many wood and iron designs and styles when it comes to barn doors. Schedule your showroom visit Monday through Saturday by appointment only.

Wood Door by Dallas Door Designs

As the portal to your home, your front door speaks volumes about your style. Wood doors are an excellent choice for many homeowners, not only due to their inherent beauty but for their durability and versatility as well. As a warm and comforting material, often punctuated by a rustic appeal, versatility defines wooden doors available in a variety of styles, shapes and designs, points out Homedit. Wood doors make a great complement to any style of home, but especially for homes featuring stone or brick fronts for a harmonious aesthetic.

You can do a lot with wood doors — much more than you can with metallic or fiberglass. For instance, you can stain a wood door to the exact shade that complements your home perfectly. Or, you could paint it in any color of the rainbow, repainting every few years with a new shade to add a pop of color to your home. You can even refinish it to refresh a door that has been weathered over time, thanks to a variety of top-quality stains and varnishes.

Modern Wood Door by Dallas Door Designs

Benefits of Wood

Strong and durable, wooden front doors also happen to be eco-friendly and efficient at blocking noise, which is a nice perk if you live in a noisy neighborhood. Thanks to the natural properties of wood, such a door can also give your home a more inviting and welcoming look. And with such a rich sense of character and beauty, perhaps because of their natural wood grain, wood doors can make a stunning statement for your front entryway.

Here are some more advantages of wood doors:

• Variety of wood grains to choose from, such as modern and sleek bamboo or teak, traditional oak or mahogany, rustic cedar or knotty pine…the possibilities are endless.
• Door features, such as trim, molding, and decorative accents can be crafted into the wood; windows or space for glass inserts can also be cut into a custom door.
• Ability to customize the finish, from stains to paint.
• Choose from solid wood or solid engineered wood core.
• Added insulation qualities that also address security concerns, energy savings and noise reduction.
• Can be custom made to fit any size opening or they can be trimmed to a specific-size doorway.
• Can be easily fabricated.
• Very strong in proportion to its weight.
• Matches with all decors.
• The most environmentally friendly of all door materials.

Of course, the best wood door in the world won’t give your home the protection, aesthetics and functionality it needs if not installed correctly. That’s why you need to rely on the expertise of a professional like Dallas Door Designs. Our designers and installers visit your home to take measurements, show examples, discuss options, and help you choose the door that matches your budget. Check us out for a free, no obligation consultation.

Front Wood Door by Dallas Door Designs

Contact Dallas Door Designs

If you would like to incorporate a wood door for your front entry in Dallas, give us a call to request a free estimate. As a family owned and operated company, our experts can enhance the beauty, elegance, durability, and value of your home with wood doors. Contact us at 214-973-0373, with hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Your front door can help you make a grand impression. But what does it say about you? If your entry door is lackluster, boring or just plain out of style, here are some ways you can help your door stand out.

1. Panel molding: 

These are details that you don’t see much anymore. But just look back to the mansions and sprawling estates that featured ornate crown molding for accenting their stately abodes. You don’t have to get quite so ornate, but adding a simple accent like panel molding to your front entryway can make all the difference. While you’re at it, consider adding decorative brackets, columns and trim.

2. Stained or lead glass:

Showing off your refined taste is easier than you think when you add some lead or stained glass to your front door. Whether as a component of the door itself or as part of the windows that flank your front door, this is a great way to welcome guests to your home. It’s also the ideal way to introduce some historical significance to your property. References to stained glass in England date from the 7th century, with this becoming a sophisticated art form by the 12th century, according to the Stained Glass Museum.

3. Color:

Bring out the personality of your front door by painting it a unique, eye-catching color. This is especially important if you have a neutral color for the rest of your house. The front door is where you can really show off your style. For example, red is a bold color that can mean a lot of things, from prosperity to good luck to good energy.

4. Artwork:

Hire a local artisan to add a special touch to your front door, from inlaid mother of pearl to a carved wood motif. This is the perfect conversation starter!

5. Architecture:

Another way to make your door stand out is to take an architectural approach to your entrance. If you already love your door, you don’t have to switch it out for a new one. You can spruce up what’s around it to make it pop. Add a window over the doorway, place a raised awning over the area, enlarge the front landing, or redesign your front steps…there are countless ways to pump up the wow factor.

6. Lighting:

Acting as a beacon to your home, exterior lighting helps define the look of your house. A well-lit front porch complements your home’s architecture, increases security, and helps guests navigate their way to the front landing, says This Old House.

7. Plants:

A well-groomed entryway filled with seasonal plants and flowers shows your home is nurtured with love. From vibrant blossoms to jasmine and lavender, plants add an unmistakable visual appeal as well as a remarkable scent that’s perfect for enjoying a relaxing evening.

8. Create a landing spot:

Adding a sense of warmth and comfort to your front porch is as easy as adding some patio furniture or a bistro table nearby, says Better Homes and Gardens. This way, you’re adding visual appeal and a sense of welcome for your guests. It also gives you a nice accent for sitting outside in the morning with a cup of coffee.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

As the focal point of your property, your home’s exterior door can elevate your curb appeal with the right material, texture, color, styles and complements. Need help choosing a new custom door? Contact us at 214-973-0373 to schedule a showroom visit or get a free estimate.

So you need new doors looking out onto your back patio. Which type do you choose? You have a lot of options at your fingertips, but most people narrow down those choices to sliding patio doors or French doors. Which one is right for you? You’ll have to consider cost, design, and style to ensure the one you end up with gels with your home and your budget. Check out these tips to help you make that all-important selection.

Sliding Patio Doors

Per the name, these doors slide from side to side on a track. They’re also referred to as gliding patio doors, as they can slide open and closed horizontally. This is a great choice for many homeowners who are limited on space. They don’t swing outward, therefore they don’t take up a lot of interior or exterior space. In addition, they’re easier to adjust than their French door counterparts if your foundation shifts at all in the future.

If you have a modern home, sliding patio doors offer a more contemporary look. And, if you’re looking to save money, they’re usually less expensive than French doors. You get added security with this type of door, especially if you purchase a model with a multi-point locking system. In the past, the only way you could ensure more security beyond the simple lock mechanism was to place rods or narrow blocks in the tracks. Today’s sliding patio doors provide unobstructed views and lots of light because they don’t have panels or panes, says Architect Magazine. This type of door gives you more surface area of natural light, plus they’re cost effective and make the most of your views.

One style flaw that detracts from the positive column of the sliding door is that the more pronounced threshold due to the track presents a potential tripping hazard. Also, you don’t get as much wide-open space if you want to open up your home to entertain, or if you want to move large pieces of furniture through that opening.

French Patio Doors

French patio doors more closely resemble regular doors, as they comprise two complementary doors that open and close on hinges. This gives homeowners the option of leaving one closed and the other open for fresh air and light. The best thing about French doors is perhaps their look. They provide a classic, elegant look to any room and can be used as an interior door as well as an exterior door. You can open both doors wide when entertaining and you get more versatility in opening up space for moving large items. They don’t work on tracks, so the tripping hazard is not as great.

However, if you’re limited in terms of space, this may not be an ideal option because you will take up valuable real estate inside or outside the home when opening the doors wide. You can’t adjust these doors if your foundation were to shift down the road, and French doors could be cost prohibitive to those on a tight budget.

Whichever type of patio door you choose, you’re sure to add a beautiful, appealing and functional accent to any room or porch. This decision is highly personal to each homeowner. Here at Dallas Door Designs, we would be happy to help you decide which would be the better option for your space.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Contact us at 214-973-0373 to ask about our many designs and styles when it comes to patio doors. Schedule your showroom visit Monday through Saturday by appointment only.

You may take your front door for granted. You may even have the best locks on the market, including a dead bolt. But locks aren’t the only thing keeping intruders from your family. The type of door you choose makes all the difference. A flimsy one can be kicked down easily. So, we ask: how secure is YOUR front door?

Materials

Doors come in all types of materials, from wood to steel. The one you choose will depend on your budget and your security needs. Solid core doors are heavily constructed and are common for front entry doors and anywhere sound proofing, insulation or security are of utmost importance. Hollow core doors are just what they sound like. They’re cheap and lightweight and are better for interior doors rather than exterior ones.

Aluminum doors are strong and durable, and surprisingly lightweight and affordable. Of course, no other material is stronger than steel, so choose this type of door if you need top-notch security.

Iron doors are also a good choice, offering enhanced security, durability, and functionality. Plus, they lend a certain ornate beauty to your home that you can’t get with other types of doors.

Wood is the most common overall, with many reasons for this:

Hinges

The material of the door is important, but the reinforcements you add are just as important to the safety and security of your home. From reinforced doors to composite doors, you have many options at your fingertips. Hardware, of course, is the crowning glory of your door and will determine how secure it ultimately is. The right hinges can help you prevent weaknesses that leave your home vulnerable to attacks. If your door opens outwards with external hinges, those pins can easily be removed and the door can be freed. Today’s modern security hinges are designed to provide more protection to ensure the pin isn’t so easy to remove. Riveted pins, security studs, non-removable pins, and hinge bolts are all types of hinges you should consider.

Locks

The type of lock you choose, above and beyond the one that comes with your door, is critical to security. Here are some tips from Reader’s Digest:

• Add a heavy-duty dead bolt: These don’t cost much and they add a high value to your security system. A dead bolt is a low-cost, high-value addition to your security system. You can choose a double-cylinder dead bolt (keyed on both sides) or a single-cylinder dead bolt (keyed on one side). Make sure it comes with a grade 1 security rating.
• Put in a strike box: This will further secure your entry door, as these structures comprise a metal pocket and over-sized plates. They connect into the wall stud behind the doorjamb using three-inch screws.
• Consider a reinforcer plate. A three-sided metal reinforcement plate encases a door around the handset or dead bolt.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

For more insight into the security of your doors, contact us at 214-973-0373. Dallas Door Designs, a family owned and operated company, offers you the very best products that fit your needs. With a focus on outstanding service, dependability, and a personable experience, you can count on us to determine which front door is best for your home.