If you have recently taken advantage of a great deal on a foreclosure that you had been waiting on or a flip house to make extra income, it’s time to invest some money to spruce it up. Whether you’re looking to rent or sell, you’ll have to fix it up, and fast. The doors are a great place to start.

Entry doors can certainly give any home a face lift quickly, for a smart return on your investment. In addition, a new front door can increase energy efficiency, security and safety, as well as provide long-lasting functionality. Seasoned home investors, real estate agents and industry veterans agree that entry doors should be the primary focus when considering which upgrades to perform as part of a flip or remodel.

It’s wise to start with the outside of the home and work your way inside. That’s because, if your primary motivation is to sell the home, you need to boost your curb appeal quick. The front door is nothing you want to skimp on, because it not only has to look good but function over the long haul and resist the elements.

The front door is also the first thing that people see upon pulling up to the curb and walking up to the home. While the average cost of an exterior door replacement is just under $1000 (actual cost will vary by material), new front doors have a high ROI of 74.9%, according to Home Advisor. On top of that, high-quality steel doors, for example, will prevent leaks and increase the insulation of the home. Decorative flourishes like transom windows and sidelights add to the project cost, but also to the curb appeal factor.

For example, replacing a basic or “builder grade” entry door with a decorative glass fiberglass or custom wood entry door increases the value of the home between four and six percent.

By the same token, if you have unattractive or outdated patio or sliding glass doors that don’t slide well, you can increase the home’s value, energy efficiency, safety and function by replacing them with new energy efficient Fiberglass doors, for instance. You can also add features such as windows with internal blinds or low E glass to reduce heating and cooling expenses.

One of the top complaints of homeowners buying houses at foreclosures or for flips is that the doors either do not function well, or are drafty or ugly. There are many things you can do to improve a home but the doors are one of the best investments you can make because you can enjoy the benefits right away.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

For more information on the many styles and materials for entry doors that we have, contact us at 214-973-0373.

Usually when homeowners think of adding security to their houses, they immediately think of alarms, smart home security systems and locks on all the doors and windows. They rarely consider an iron door just as necessary as any alarm system. The right iron door can add beauty, strength and durability to your property, acting as a deterrent to keeping unwanted visitors out.

Here are some things to consider about an iron door and why it may be a great complement for your home.

1.    Security

There are many kinds of iron doors on the market today. Some are more ornate than others, some are double, some are single, some are intricate in design. But despite the type you get, you should know how they function. Thanks to their solid texture, strength, and sustainability, iron doors add more security to your home.

But an iron door, while by itself a durable entry way addition, needs the right locks in place to ensure the highest level of security. Front door security begins and ends with the locks you choose. In fact, the handle or keyed knob is not as critical as the deadbolt you decide on. The deadbolt is the most important lock within your home security arsenal, as it’s more difficult to manipulate a bolt than a spring-loaded latch. You can’t move the bolt without rotating the lock core, which is why the type and brand of lock you go with is so vital.

2.    Beauty

Iron doors just look good. They make a grand entrance by impressing guests and boosting curb appeal. Iron doors can accentuate the entry way to your home, but they don’t have to be overpowering. You may automatically think of dark, medieval images when you think of wrought iron, but there are many ways to modernize the look.

For instance, take a look at this arched, European-style wrought iron door featuring mirrored obelisks that open up onto a tiled foyer by HGTV. This is just one example of how light and beautiful iron doors can be for your home, letting in more natural light than you ever imagined.

3.    Energy Efficiency

Due to the fact that iron doors are typically insulated with foam, they guard against extreme temperatures so you get cooler temperatures in your home in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter. This can even lead to energy bill savings.

4.    Damage Resistance

Iron doors are tough against all kinds of weather and corrosion, unlike wooden doors which are not nearly as sturdy and can be very vulnerable to the weather.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Here at Dallas Door Designs, we offer custom wrought iron doors that will complement your home. Get a free estimate when you contact us at 214-973-0373.

Whether you enjoy feeling a calming breeze through an open window, bask in the warmth from a skylight on a cold day, or welcome your guests through a beautifully themed front door, your windows and doors are crucial to the overall appeal of your home. Not only do they contribute greatly to your everyday enjoyment, they lend character to your home and connect you to the exterior world.

Yes, they serve a practical purpose for keeping pests and burglars out, but more importantly, they frame our view of the world. Planning to update your windows and doors? Here are helpful tips on how to choose the right window and door styles that will complement your home in the most ideal way.

Traditional

A traditional home is a blend of simple and classic architectural styles. These styles include Colonial, Cape Cod and Georgian homes, all bringing a classic look utilizing brick, stone or stucco. They usually feature front-facing gables and symmetrically-placed windows. When selecting windows for this type of home, your best bet is to go with double-hung windows.

These have two window sashes within a single frame, giving a clean and timeless look to the space. If you want to mix it up a bit, you can also try bay and bow style windows, transom windows, and traditional pattern window grilles.

When it comes to doors, traditional entryway doors are often comprised of wood or even fiberglass in wood stain finishes.

Craftsman

Craftsman-style homes originated from the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 1900s. With exteriors characterized by low-pitched roof systems, porches with square columns, exposed beams and stained glass windows, Craftsman entry doors are usually made of solid wood with a decorative glass or divided-light window at the top. Dentil shelves are also common. These are pieces of molding topped with blocks of decorative wood.

Contemporary

Contemporary homes are characterized by clean lines, asymmetrical designs, flat roofs, multilevel roof lines, and unembellished windows. Contemporary homes get a lot of natural sunlight, which is why skylights make perfect window choices. Other window styles that complement a Contemporary include fixed, sliding and casement windows.

Entryway doors should be unadorned, sleek and chic, with sharp geometric shapes. You’ll also want to choose lever handle hardware in metallic finishes. To balance it all out, the door itself should be a warm wood finish.

Spanish/Mediterranean

Inspired by the seaside villas of Spain, France and Italy, Mediterranean homes feature red terra-cotta roofs, stucco exteriors, balconies, and arched windows and doorways. Solid window choices for such a home include window walls, and wrought-iron or wooden window grilles.

What’s a window wall, you ask? This replaces an exterior wall with fixed windows spanning from floor to ceiling for awe-inspiring views.

In terms of entry doors, double doors with arched windows, and wood or wrought-iron grilles are perfect. Go with dark and rich finishes complemented by decorative hardware.

Victorian

Victorian style homes usually showcase bay windows, turrets, steep roofs, clapboard siding, rambling porches, columns, and intricate moldings. Following suit, the windows are ornate, expansive and varied throughout the exterior. Consider a mixture of double-hung, transom, arched, bay or bowed, and specialty windows.

For doors, try decorative glass panels and stained glass effects with fiberglass or wood materials featuring decorative embellishments. You may even want to place a transom window over the doorway. Bold colors are common in Victorian homes, so go ahead and try it out with your new entryway door.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Need more inspiration? Contact us at 214-973-0373 or go online to schedule a free estimate.

For a true conversation piece, go ahead and install pivot doors for your home or business. This modern addition to any structure rotates on a pivot box instead of on traditional side hinges. They’re ideal for large panels, popular for their wide, generous opening countered by their simple, modern appearance.

Pivot doors are a hallmark of contemporary architecture, but you can install them in virtually any type of home. Typically, pivot doors are installed in high-end custom homes pointing towards an emerging trend in urban building. The goal is to encourage a higher indoor/outdoor connection that calls for larger doors.

The Benefits: Pivot Doors

In addition to their contemporary look, pivot doors bring many advantages to the modern homeowner. Pivot doors:

• Are silent and strong
• Come in larger sizes than are offered with traditional doors.
• Boast high-performance hardware for much smoother operation of panels that are wider and taller than standard doors.
• Have adjustable operating hardware for varied traveling and closure speed.
• Have a seamless, streamlined look.
• Feature balanced panels that appear to operate independently of the corresponding frame.
• Are less obtrusive thanks to cleaner lines.
• Can be used for both exterior entry doors and interior doors.
• Have panels that can be built much wider. As such, they have square footage that is greater than a side-hinged door – in many cases up to nine feet wide by 13 feet tall.
• Don’t require a frame, which means no damage to the floor or walls.
• Have a larger clearance area than swinging doors.
• Offer stability for heavy doors or for those crafted from fragile materials like glass.
• Require fewer pieces of hardware and a simpler design than other door types.
• Have a versatile look that can blend in with a wall.

Why Should You Have Them?

Your house is your temple, where you (ideally) feel calm, relaxed, and happy. If your house is a comfort zone to relieve tension from the outside world, it’s understandable that you would want your entry door to make you feel safe and confident, with a bit of enjoyable architecture throw in for good measure. A pivot door can afford your home a modern and refined touch, with the availability of many materials, prominent dimensions and unbeatable openness.

Not only are they beautiful, they’re also highly safe and resistant, and can isolate noise due to a hermetic closing that gives you natural acoustical soundproofing. You can order your pivot door the way you want: painted, glass, lacquered, veneer, synthetic and more. A pivot door is also a great investment, an attractive component that will certainly attract the eyes of potential buyers when the time comes.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Here at Dallas Door Designs, we offer custom interior and exterior pivot doors to add a modern touch to your home. Our experts will help you design, measure and install the right pivot door for your home and budget. Contact us today at 214-973-0373.

Selecting the perfect front door for your home has a lot to do with your style, security needs, budget and overall appearance of your exterior. From an increase in property value to durability and distinction, there are many reasons why you would choose an iron door for your home.

Increase Value

Even if you’re not looking to sell your home anytime soon, if at all, it’s important to make wise investments when remodeling. This means choosing durable materials that are high in quality and desirable to the general public, so that if the time did come for you to sell, you know you can command a higher price.

Iron doors add to the quality, longevity and value of your home. They add a wow factor, plus boost your home’s “perceived value” which increases the amount of money you could receive if you chose to sell.

Beauty and Distinction

Iron doors are impressive and beautiful, making for a distinctive addition to your home backed by timeless elegance. Your entry door is often the first impression people get of your house. Make it count with an iron entry door that gives you lots of curb appeal and a conversation piece that never quits.

Unique and classy, iron doors bring something different to any home they adorn. If you want to stand out, this is a great way to do it.

Durability

The brutal heat and storms indicative to the Dallas area means you can’t afford not to install a durable door on your home. You need something that will withstand all weather, and nothing can achieve that like thick steel. Keep rain, wind, sun and extreme temperatures out with a material that protects far more than wood and fiberglass can. In fact, iron won’t ever sag, split, warp, crack or rot.

They also resist scratches, nicks and dents that can happen from stray baseballs or moving furniture. Even if your door contains windows, they are often out of harm’s way thanks to ornate scrollwork over the top. When well cared for, an iron door will be the last one you ever install.

Security

Protection of your home and your family is likely one of the top reasons you are considering an iron door. This material gives you the most assurances of quality to deter burglars. Once a would-be criminal spots the iron door, they know how hard it is to penetrate and will move on to the next house that’s more vulnerable. It’s far easier to break into or kick down a wood or fiberglass door.

Not only are the iron doors themselves strong, their locks and hinges are too.

Installation

Iron doors are easy to install, which means your installation by a qualified professional will go quickly and seamlessly. This can usually take place in just one afternoon.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

To request a free estimate for your custom wrought iron doors in Dallas TX, contact us at 214-973-0373.

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.

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.