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The Impact of Windows and Doors on Your Home
Your home is your masterpiece. And when it comes to the look and feel of your house, nothing speaks louder than windows and doors. They are the gateway to the outside world. They are often the most visible elements within any home. And when it comes to upgrading your house’s look, start first with windows and doors.
Top 5 Ways to Upgrade Your Windows and Doors
Upgrading your windows and doors does not always require full replacement. Sometimes it can be as simple as refinishing or adding color. Simple elements can take an already existing window or door, and make it look newer and more modern. In addition, there are more complicated ways to sometimes increase the energy efficiency as well. But for starters, we are focussing mostly on the look and style in this guide. Here are five simple ways homeowners, including yourself, can upgrade your windows and doors, without breaking the bank:
Give a Fresh Coat of Paint to Your Door
Your current front entry door may be good quality. Yet it may have an outdated design or style. One of the simplest ways to change this is to paint your door. Painting a door has numerous benefits. It can save you over $2,000+ over replacing the door altogether. In addition, you can keep the door, which may have sentimental value, or functional qualities, yet enjoy an improved look.
Remember, entry doors are often the most visible spots of any home from the front street. (1)
Painting a front entry door can be a simple DIY project that can significantly improve the look of your home. Here is a step-by-step guide for painting a front entry door:
- Prepare the door: Remove any hardware, such as hinges, doorknobs, and locks, from the door. Clean the surface of the door thoroughly, removing any dirt, dust, or cobwebs. If the door has been previously painted, lightly sand the surface to create a smooth surface for the new paint.
- Repair any damage: Fill any cracks, dents, or holes in the door with wood filler and allow it to dry completely. Sand the filler smooth once it is dry.
- Prime up the door: Apply a high-quality primer to the door, making sure to cover the entire surface, including the edges and corners. Allow the primer to dry completely, usually several hours.
- Paint the door: Once the primer is dry, apply the first coat of paint to the door. Use a paintbrush or a roller, depending on the surface of the door and your personal preference. Allow the first coat of paint to dry completely, usually several hours.
- Finish with a second coat: Apply a second coat of paint to the door, if necessary. Make sure to allow the second coat to dry completely, usually several hours.
- Reattach hardware: Once the paint is completely dry, reattach all hardware to the door.
- Finish with a clear coat: For added protection, consider applying a clear coat over the paint. This will help protect the paint from fading, chipping, and scratching. The edges and corners may need to be lightly sanded, to reduce stickiness when the door opens and closes.
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines when using paint and other materials. And, as always, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
Pick colors that either compliment your neighborhood design, or go bold and pick a louder color that draws eyes and adds a modern theme to your home. Reds of course, are one of the most popular colors to enhance a door with.
Add Upgraded Hardware to Your Door
Another inexpensive way to upgrade your door is to add new hardware. If you are trying to go with a modern motif, pick sleek designs, with minimalistic, straight lines. Classic and traditional styles often use curves and even engraved designs. Here are some hardware terms to be aware of:
- Handle sets – Both interior and exterior with locks and levers.
- Pull handles – These are usually longer and more decorative and can be in addition to a handle set, to pull open large doors. They can add a nice contemporary look to the exterior side of a front door.
- Kickplate – A metal plate at the bottom ¼ of a door, typically on many commercial doors. They function as well to add a weather protection element, and depending on the style, can enhance a door with a more contemporary look.
- Hinges – Some hinges have exposed elements that allow for more looks and design. If you are fully refurbishing a door, it is best to go with new hinges anyway.
Enlarge and Paint Window and Door Trim
The trim around a window or door opening helps give it a more complete look when installed. It makes the unit look built-in to the home, and helps transition the eyes when looking at it. Here are a couple of tricks to upgrade your trim:
Paint the Trim
If you are happy with the current size of the trim, give it a fresh coat of paint. Whether the window trim should be the same color as the sash is a matter of personal preference and the overall design of the room.
Traditionally, window and door trim (also called casing) is painted the same color as the sash for a cohesive and streamlined look. This creates a uniform appearance and emphasizes the windows as a feature of the room.
However, some people prefer to paint the window trim a different color than the sash to create contrast and highlight the trim as a design element. For example, you could paint the trim white or a contrasting color to create a bold and striking look.
Ultimately, the choice of whether to paint the window trim the same color as the sash or a different color depends on the overall style and aesthetic you are trying to achieve in your home. It’s always a good idea to consider the colors, materials, and design elements of the room to make the best choice for your space.
Replace with Larger Trim
Wide trim (typically over 4”) has the power to make a home look more custom and quality built. This is because many mid-level and entry-level homes are built with narrow 2 ½ in wide trim, as it is most widely available at the lowest cost and gives the original builder more room to cut costs. (2)
However, if you are looking to make your windows and doors stand out, replace the trim with wider versions. This will make each unit look large, and give an impressive look throughout your house. This pays off well for smaller homes in high-end neighborhoods that have many neighboring homes that have already been remodeled and upgraded.
Refinish The Window Sash
The sash is the part of your window that holds your window together. While there is a difference between the window sash and the window frame, some see them as the same. Window sashes that are made of wood or aluminum can often have the paint crack and peel off, leaving exposed material below. This is unsightly, and creates a deteriorating look on a house.
A simple thing as painting the sash the same color as the window frame, will clean this all up, and can even make the entire window look new. Choose paint that is weatherproof, puts up well with the sun, and can adhere to either wood or aluminum flashing.
Replace Your Windows and Doors
Of all of these methods, replacing your windows and doors is likely the most expensive. Yet, for some homeowners, it can give the highest return if they shop around and have the right installer do the work.
Replacement windows of today are highly energy efficient, and can actually help pay off the project costs from the savings of energy. In fact, windows and doors can account for over 25% of a home’s energy loss. Off-the-shelf and vinyl windows can have the lowest cost, yet still offer most of the design upgrades you are looking for.
If you are considering replacement windows and replacement doors, ask for seasonal discounts, and ask if the installer price matches. While the project can be more expensive than other upgrade methods, keep in mind that the costs typically include the product, delivery, install, haul-away of the old windows and doors, permits and warranty.
Enjoying the Benefits of Upgraded Windows and Doors
Once you’ve upgraded your home’s windows and doors, you’ll experience the enjoyment of living a more contemporary lifestyle, and being the envy of your neighbors. In addition, your home can increase in value, helping to make the money and time spent well worth it. It’s even sweeter when you know that you did not spend a lot of money for it.
About the Author:
Mike Cutler is a home design writer, and passionate about real estate, outdoor living, and turning a house into a home.
References
- https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/the-front-door-of-your-house-is-important/
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/21072577/all-about-windows
