Helenill - We are also using Anderson windows and I seem to recall they provide some information on their webpage about the best way to paint. I just wanted to chime in about your feelings of frustration and what seems to be a general lack of control over the building project. I am in the same boat! For example, I didn't even know that when I picked a window color (I had a three hour notice on that) I would also be picking a patio door color. Didn't realize the patio door was part of the whole window package from Anderson until I went by the house and there it was. Every week I get caught by one or two little surprises like that. It wouldn't be so bad if we weren't spending thousands of dollars! In my case, the problem seems to be that the builder does not realize how clueless we are to the whole process. They seem to think we've got as much knowledge as they do about the building process. Obviously, we don't. I'm just trying to go with the flow and keep the peace. Good luck.

Based on the leaves on the ground and a guess about your climate: yes, I'd install a storm door. :) They help with heat loss, of course, but they also protect the door and hardware from the elements. My grandparents' home does *not* have a storm door because they didn't want to cover a beautiful new paint job, with the result that we've had to repaint it every five years or so. :( In climates with sleet/hail/snow (which usually also have some intense spring storms!), storm doors usually don't detract from the appearance of a house because everyone expects them to be there! In my neighborhood, house numbers are spray-painted on walkways: definitely not the best look ever, but very important for emergency services, and let's face it, most of us spend very little time staring at the front of our house. Is there room to put some decorative numbers on the flat portion of the overhang? They might not be large enough for emergency response, but they would be very visible from the street for guests/UPS/etc., but leave clean lines around your doorway. The front of your house looks beautiful, BTW: wonderful work!

Wow, schoolhouse - I wish I knew there were different glass options for the Anderson doors. I wonder now what I have. I paid about $400 for the door through National Lumber. I think I've decided to put the storm door on the front. I really appreciate everyones opinion on this, and all the good ideas and things to consider. I agree oopsie, it's so inviting to walk by someone's house who has the front door open (with the storm closed). My dog will definitely be happy. Once it's installed, I'll post another picture. I'm still waiting for the Baldwin hardware to come in, I don't know what the holdup is. As far as the potted plants - seems there are very few mums left; I may have missed the window. Pumpkins will have to suffice for now. Thanks again!

Groveraxle, thank you so much for making those different color combinations. Your work made me realize I don't like the initial color scheme I had in mind (navy and cedar and white). The funny thing is that the combo you made with green on top looks almost exactly like my house's neighborhood twin (it is located a mile or so from my house). I really like the gray combination you made. Thanks to other people's suggestions, I am starting to warm up to the idea of one color for the body of the house :) If anyone is interested, here are the house twins: My house is the one on the left.