skip to main content

Landscape Design Design Dilemma Exterior

Non-Ugly Storm Door Needed for Modern Front Door

5 years ago

We would like to replace our front door to modernize our current 50’s split-level home in NJ. BUT we do need a storm door of some kind—our kids’ bus-driver will only drop them off if the front door is AJAR. Our Winters get very cold and Summers get super humid so we definitely need something to keep our home’s heat and/or Air Conditioning inside—where it belongs. We also need for much of the door to be transparent so the kids can watch for the bus-driver in the mornings. See below for pics of our current home and of some modern front door types I really like. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

PRO
JudyG Designs
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Your school system certainly has more relaxed rules concerning drop off/pickup of a child.

My town mandates a parent/caretaker be outside, at the bus stop with the child, for pick-up and drop off….no exceptions. If it is pouring, the driver will wait the extra minutes necessary to allow both parent and child to approach the bus. The adult must accompany the child to the bus.

As for your door, I like a full view door. A new ,properly installed, door will need no storm. We had a screen door made for the summer, easy on/easy off, with the wood painted the same color as the door.

Or: a full view door with sidelights.

You new door examples show sidelights, but I don’t see sidelights in your photo.
User
5 years ago
If you want to modernize the look, first remove the incorrectly sized shutters on the windows. No shutters are needed. Then use your browser to search for "full view storm doors" to get selection of storm/screen doors that do not obstruct the view of the front door. We got Andersen double doors. They partially block the outer frame of the front door, but my Christmas door decorations stay nice and dry since they are between the front door and the storm door.
Related Discussions
Replacing front door/original door picture
Q
Comments (30)
bungalowmo, I just ran across your question by accident. I'm sorry I didn't see it months ago. We do not need glass inserts because our winters in Georgia are not long or severe. Our porch is 10 feet deep, so rain doesn't get on the doors. Our old screen door and inner door were donated to our local Habitat for Humanity. The inner door had a nice oval glass window, but the door was warped and in bad condition. Maybe someone used it as a movie prop; who knows? LOL
...See More
Need help choosing paint color for front door/pillar
Q
Comments (16)
I somehow stopped receiving notifications for the last few posted comments but thanks for the input! Here's an update on the colors I've chosen. So the door is an ivory color, trim color is consistent with the rest of the house. My question now is whether I should paint the immediate trim around the glass beside the front door (side lights..?) the same ivory color? The contrast between the trim and door color is a little more stark than I expected and wonder if this will help the eye transition better. If anyone has any pictures of what this should look like it would be greatly appreciated! By the way, it's not shown here but I've also painted the house number sign the same ivory color and the numbers match the trim color. I was hoping this would help with the contrast a little.
...See More
Can I put a modern front door on my 1978 house?
Q
Comments (23)
Thanks so much Hallet & Co. I was thinking the same that the door would look better from the outside. It sounds crazy but we hadn’t even though of swapping out the other doors, but I like that suggestion. For the other interior doors, would you recommend the same style door as the front door, just without the glass or would you recommend a plain slab door? Also, when you say paint the trim so the floors are the star, what do you suggest?
...See More
front door for midcentury modern
Q
Comments (4)
What is the rest of the home made of? Fiberglass isn't going to melt at a considerably lower temperature than the steel unit will fail. If the house has a metal roof and some sort of cementitious cladding, perhaps metal is more indicated (and with a fire rating) in that case. If the construction is otherwise based on norms like asphalt roofs and non flame resistant cladding, I am not sure it makes a difference. Generally speaking, I prefer Fiberglass over the steel option.
...See More
Michelle NJ
Original Author
5 years ago
Very helpful. Thanks! And our bus is privately organized among a small group of charter school parents so the rules are the bus company’s—not the district. Maybe that’s why looser rules for us?? Thank you!!!

Related Stories

CRAFTSMAN DESIGN Craftsman Front Doors Make an Entrance

By Rachel Grace

For curb appeal, warmth and natural light, consider a classic Craftsman-style door for your home's entryway

MOST POPULAR How to Choose a Front Door Color

By Vanessa Brunner

If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Orange

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring high energy and spirit to your home's entryway with a vibrant shade of orange on the front door

CURB APPEAL 9 Daring Colors for Your Front Door

By Jennifer Ott Design

Stand out from the neighbors with a touch of neon green or a punch of hot pink

CURB APPEAL 5 Bright Palettes for Front Doors

By Jennifer Ott Design

Splash bold green, blue, orange or red on your front door, then balance it with a more restrained hue on the rest of the house

CURB APPEAL 77 Front Doors to Welcome You Home

By Annie Thornton

Crossing the threshold is an event with these doors in a gamut of styles

CURB APPEAL DIY Painting Project: A Colorful Front Door

Give your entrance a notice-me new hue to make it inviting and energizing for fall

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black

By Jennifer Ott Design

Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work

FUN HOUZZ Houzz Quiz: What Color Should Your Front Door Be?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Think you’re hip enough for orange? Or optimistic enough for yellow? Take our front-door personality quiz and find out

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

Sponsored

More Discussions

Landscaping Possibilities?

22

House numbers for curb appeal - ideas, please!

33

Outdoor Plant Suggestions

1

Landscaping advice

6

Can these be saved?

7