8ft front door vs 6ft front door

5 years ago

Hello, it is going to cost an additional $3,000 to increase the front door height on our house to 8ft from 6ft. We are going 11ft ceilings on the main floor. Is it worth it?

Also we can choose between a wood front door or fiberglass. Which is better?

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chicagoans

5 years ago

Do you mean to increase it from about 6'6" (80") which is fairly standard? I think a 6' door would be very short. In general with a tall ceiling I think either the taller door, or a standard height with a transom above, would look nice. But if you post a picture of your front elevation, people will be able to give you better advice.

re: wood vs. fiberglass, I like the look of real wood but some fiberglass doors are quite beautiful, and may wear better. When you post your elevation we'll be able to see how exposed the door is and what your home style is; please also indicate which direction the door will face and your climate.

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Comments (19)

Molly D. Zone4B
5 years ago
I agree with previous poster. We have 10 ft ceilings and did 8 foot door with 3 pt locking system. Otherwise I’d do the standard with transom. We did fiberglass as we are in Minnesota. Waiting to see your elevation...
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I would say that the transom could be the same material with the same pattern, it could be the same shape with a single lite (which would be transitional really but that's ok) or it could be rectangular with upright rectangular divided lites. The mirror idea, to me anyway, is only effective if you are doing it where you actually Couldn't or Wouldn't Want to have real windows. I think the important thing to maintain with the number of openings that are adjacent here (5?), and the number of doors to be used here (5-6?) is some sort of consistency or logic behind the choices. I think if you don't have a leaded surround right at the front, you probably should not do it on the inner doors because it adds another material. Likewise the solid doors should have some kind of pattern relationship with the other solid doors, and the doors with glazing should have some kind of pattern relationship with the other glazed doors...and ideally they should have a relationship with each other as well.
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Steve Wells
Original Author
5 years ago
Here is the front elevations. Ignore the double door we are going to a single door and still debating side lights or not. Appreciate all the help!
Steve Wells
Original Author
5 years ago
And yes I meant 6’6 going to 8.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
Sorry, but "standard" doors are 6'-8" or 7'. With 11-foot ceilings I'd consider a 6'-8" door and a transom window above.
Steve Wells
Original Author
5 years ago
How big would you suggest the transom to be? Forgot to mention we are in Chicago so any thoughts on wood vs Fiberglass?
cpaul1
5 years ago
To me it would depend on the price point of your house, but in general and if you can afford it, then a bigger front door would obviously be better. And then I think the material of the door is also a function of price point as well as weather.
ILoveRed
5 years ago
I have to ask. Why would you want 11 ft ceilings if cost is a consideration which it probably is for most of us.

everything will be higher.
User
5 years ago
Go with the bigger door for sure.
Steve Wells
Original Author
5 years ago
What about sidelights? A must?
hummingalong2
5 years ago
8' doors have a different feel...I'd go for it!
User
5 years ago
We have sidelights. Our door is being installed this week. I'll try and get a pic!
latifolia
5 years ago
We have 10’ ceilings and an 8’ door. We replaced the original wood, which had warped (south facing, but covered), with fiberglass. Ours is a 3-point lock custom door from Kolbe, without glass. We originally ordered clad, but they can’t make that in a panel door. Can’t even tell you what it cost because the guy at the lumberyard is a bit of a dolt and kept changing the order after discovering various things. Anyway, it’s a great door, secure and efficient.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
"...I have to ask. Why would you want 11 ft ceilings if cost is a consideration which it probably is for most of us...everything will be higher..."

Very funny! Definite contender for best of 2018!
millworkman
5 years ago
6'-8" tall door, 6'-8" door with a transom, 8'-0" tall door, sidelites, who really knows? This is all about context of the home design, what do the elevations look like? I have seen all the above look great and have seen all the above look off..............................
Laurie Schrader
5 years ago
Yes, on the taller door. The small one, even with an eye-catching transom, will look out of proportion.
strategery
5 years ago
Definitely the 8' door. For Chicago, I recommend fiberglass.
Steve Wells
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone! Super helpful - any thoughts on door width (since we are going to a single door vs a double door) and if we should do sidelights or not?
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
5 years ago
36" wide, unless you want to go the extra cost for a custom width using pivots instead of hinges.

8ft front door vs 6ft front door

chicagoans

Comments (19)

Molly D. Zone4B

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ILoveRed

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8ft front door vs 6ft front door

Comments (19)

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Steve WellsOriginal Author

Steve WellsOriginal Author

Steve WellsOriginal Author

Steve WellsOriginal Author

Steve WellsOriginal Author

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Steve Wells
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