When it comes to selecting the right door for your home, the possibilities are endless. There are many materials, styles, and sizes to choose from. Once you’ve settled on the perfect door(s), you’re ready to pick the trim. Trim is a very customizable and elegant touch to any style of home. If you’re on the search for the right door and trim but don’t know where to start, this guide will provide you with the essential details you need.
Different Styles of Doors:
Your front door is the very first people see walking into your home. You not only want it to be beautiful, but inviting. When looking for a design that fits your desired taste, keep in mind that every style comes in various materials and colors. You can find wood, fiberglass, and metal options for exterior or interior doors. Doors can be as affordable or expensive as you want – set your budget before your search and customizing process. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular door styles.
Exterior:
Traditional – Most traditional style doors consist of 2 to 6 raised panels – the most common being 6. While traditional style doors don’t always contain glass inserts, but there are glass options available. Traditional doors come in wood, fiberglass, and metal options, and are easily customizable.
Modern – Modern doors have been gaining popularity over the past few years. Modern doors consist of clean lines, and often have rectangular glass inserts that are translucent or frosted. Many are wood, steel, or fiberglass, but this look can be achieved through any material. White or black colored doors are often very flattering on contemporary homes.
Rustic – Often seen on more farmhouse or mediterranean style homes, rustic doors are typically made of wood and consist of a small glass window. This window is referred to as a speakeasy – some can be opened while others are simply an accessory.
Craftsman – Craftsman doors are found on many styles of homes, but convey a cottage like feel. They are very welcoming and warm, consisting of wood with one window at the top. This window can consist of stained, frosted, or translucent glass.
Arched – Arched doorways are typically custom-made to fit your home, but can be an interesting architectural element. Their curved design makes them unique in comparison to standard rectangle doors. They can come in various styles, many that resemble the rustic or craftsman feel.
Interior:
Interior doors offer more opportunities for creative choices. You can mix and match various styles throughout the home and make bolder design choices. When properly implemented, doors can be a very eye-catching design element. Below are a few of the most popular and sought after styles of interior doors.
Barn Doors – Barn doors consist of one or two sliding doors installed on a track above the entry way. They can come in various materials, colors, and styles that will compliment any home style. They have a very distinctive and upscale design, as well as great functionality. Barn doors are great for small spaces where swing doors may occupy too much space, and create a very open atmosphere between connecting rooms.
Pocket Doors – Pocket doors are sliding doors that when opened, slide into the adjacent wall. Pocket doors are typically made of wood and are used for subtly. They are great for rooms with no space for hinged doors, such as small closets or bathrooms. They are also a great option for spaces where you may occasionally want more privacy but want to keep the entryway clear.
Dutch Doors – Dutch doors are single doors that split in half so the top half can open while the other remains closed. The top and bottom half of the door attach with a hinge for the option of complete privacy. These are great for farm style homes and can be a great design element, as well as a fun pop of color if one chooses to be bold. These can be great for kitchens, playrooms, or laundry rooms.
Glass Framed Doors – Glass framed doors are made entirely of glass, with the exception of the metal framing that holds them together. These doors can be made in various styles, such as barn, sliding, or hinged doors. Translucent glass, frosted, or stained glass are a few of the many options you have when it comes to the windows. There are also various metal finishes to choose from, such as black, bronze, gold, or aluminum. These compliment open, modern spaces well and can be used for any entryway.
Paneled Doors – Paneled doors are your standard, traditional doors. Typically consisting of 2 to 6 panels, often 2 for interior doors. These doors are great for all of your extra compartment spaces, such as closets or pantries, but also make great bedroom doors.
Different Styles of Trim:
Once you’ve finalized your doors, you’re ready to select your trim. Trim is molding work made from wood used to frame doors, walls, and windows. Trim can enhance and distinguish your doors from being washed out. Trim molding exists in a myriad of forms, each designed for a specific purpose. With so many choices, it’s easy to get them confused. Below are the different types and purposes of the most common trim options to help you discover the best one for you.
Casing – Casing is used to encase unfinished gaps between the walls and doors or window frames. There are different variations of casing, but it is typically a basic baseboard of about 2-3 inches on three sides.
Crown – Crown molding is the “crowning” detail of the room. It typically has a detailed silhouette and divides the wall from the ceiling.
Chair Railing – Chair railing is designed to protect walls from furniture, as it is a slim piece of trim that runs across the center of the wall. It can also be installed as a decorative piece.
Coving – Coving is plain, concaved trim used to divide walls from the ceiling. It can also be used on stairs where risers and treads meet. It is often considered a less ornate version of crown molding.
Dentil – Dentil is a decorative, classical design consisting of even spaced blocks in a repeating pattern. This can be implemented into crown molding for a timeless classic look.
Egg-and-Dart – Typically seen with crown or chair molding, egg-and-dart molding consists of oval shaped eggs alternating with v shaped darts. This is modeled after ancient greek ornamental designs.
Bead and Pearl – Two different, but similar styles of trim, often paired together. Both are a small series of small, symmetrical spheres, which often also accompanies crown or chair molding.
Conclusion:
This guide is a very surface level introduction to the different options you have when it comes to the various options of interior/exterior doors, and trim. There is still a broad range of possibilities for mixing and matching materials, styles, colors, trim techniques, sizes, etc. However, this directory can be used to help you in beginning your search. Use your budget and personal taste to help narrow down your top picks and begin the customizing process from there!