What to look for in your next front door Home architecture trends

Plain, glass, bulletproof; made of wood, PVC or fibreglass; neutral or vivid; square, mosaic or half-moon windows — when it comes to picking the right door for your main entrance, you have virtually endless possibilities to choose from. So what should you look for?

Of course, the style of your front door should harmonize well with the architecture of your home. Whether classic or cutting-edge, your door can be used as its own decor element to add personality to your façade. When you shop, bring along a photo of your house and the measurements of the space your door has to fit into. You may also choose to have a door custom made to your specifications for a final product that matches your exact vision and needs.

From a practical standpoint, choose a door with good insulation properties and a low air leak rate. A good rule of thumb is to shop for Energy Star certified models. Make sure the weatherstripping is effective and durable.

Your ideal front door should be sufficiently soundproof, resistant to shocks and easy to maintain. It also needs to be secure: the lock and glass components should be strong enough to stave off an intruder’s attempts to enter your home. Finally, the best way to ensure that your door plays its part flawlessly is to leave its installation to the experts.

Whether you’re planning to renovate or simply buy a home that is fashionforward, here are four trends to know about this year.

1. MULTIPLE MASTER BEDROOMS

With more and more children living at home for longer, one of the newest trends is to have multiple master bedrooms. This can also give you twice the opportunity to decorate.

2. RECYCLED MATERIALS

Going green has also been a style revolution lately. Expect to see more homes built using recycled and organic materials.

3. OPEN CONCEPT

Open concept floor plans dominate not just the office, but the home as well. Expect

this trend to continue, though it may reach its peak sooner rather than later.

4. LAUNDRY ROOMS CAN BE SO MUCH MORE

We’ve seen kitchens and bathrooms dominate people’s attention for a few years now. Combining style and function will only continue. The next room that people will start to pay attention to will be the laundry room, typically an undeveloped place in homes.

Whatever the current fashion is, your local real estate agent can help you navigate between what’s going to look good for now and what will look good for the next decade.