Last week, our blog focused on creating window boxes and wreaths, one of the tips from our article on how to easily improve your curb appeal.
Now, we are going to dive deeper into another tip from that article: repainting your home’s front door/replacing your storm door!
Painting the Front Door
Your front door will require occasional touch ups as the paint is prone to chipping over time. However, if you’re ready for an entirely new paint job, set aside a few days dedicated to selecting a color, purchasing supplies, and completing the project.
A tip for choosing a new color is to tape paint swatches to your front door to help you decide what works with the rest of your house. It is important that you dedicate an entire sunny day, if not a few, to viewing the color in the different times of the day. This is to ensure that you like the color throughout the entirety of the day’s variations of lighting, which will affect how the color looks throughout.
You must always begin this process with a deep cleaning of your door, especially to clear it of dust if you had sanded it first, and then a complete coat of primer when repainting your door.
Then, an average sized door will often require a quart of paint. It is also important that you use specifically exterior paint if you do not have a storm door to protect the paint job from the ever-changing weather and elements.
You may choose any type of finish, but glossy paints are usually preferred for doors and trim, not only for the end look, but because they last longer than flat or eggshell paint. It is also important when making touch-ups that you use the same type of paint you used the first time, and not switching between latex- or oil-based paints.
You may paint your front door where it is, but if you plan to take multiple days to do so, keep in mind how bugs and weather can deter the process.
Replace Your Storm Door
All things age- and even with a fresh paint job on your front door, a worn-out storm door can make your home look uncared for, and therefore less welcoming. Regular maintenance will keep your storm door looking new for longer, but if you haven’t done such in a while, you may want to go ahead and replace it.
When replacing your storm door, you may choose from materials such as wood, that require more maintenance but conveys a classic and rustic look; aluminum, which is lightweight and rust resistant; or vinyl, which is durable and easy to clean while coming in many variations.
When choosing the material and design, you’ll consider how it’ll look with the rest of your home’s exterior. We’d suggest using a simple editing application, or to layer a photo of your potential storm door choice over a photo of your current storm door to get a better idea what it will look like with the rest of your home.
Once your new storm door is installed, it is essential that you regularly clean, inspect, and repair any damage in order to make it last longer. A routine cleaning should require using a soft cloth and mild detergent to wipe down the screen and frame, vacuuming the tracks of the door, tightening any loose screws or hinges, and inspecting the screen for necessary maintenance.
If you happen to find some small tears or damage to the screen, getting a patch kit designed for screen doors can be a big help.
Further preparation can be done to ensure your door lasts longer, such as possibly installing a drop cap above the door to divert rainwater, or using a weather-resistant paint or sealant. There even exists pet-proof screens that help prevent pet-induced damage!
Not only can routine maintenance on your storm door help beautify the exterior of your home, but in the long run it can save you money.
With this all in mind, you can efficiently revitalize the entranceway of your home in just one week, if not quicker! And, embarking on these tasks may give you the motivation to make even more improvements to the exterior of your home, as we will continue to discuss this in future blogs!
