Doors

Storm Doors in NJ: Benefits, Types & What to Know Before You Buy

by RWC

4 Key Factors to Consider When Replacing Your Front Door

Architectural designers use the principle of establishing a focal point as a way to purposely draw the eye to a central feature of a home. Your front door is the focal point of your home's exterior and it is the first thing visitors really focus on. Create a striking, visual first impression by replacing an ordinary front door with a distinct architectural style or one that fits your family's personality.

A front door replacement not only adds a sense of style to your home, a good front door acts as a barrier against the great outdoors. According to energy.gov, "Your home's exterior doors can contribute significantly to air leakage, and can also waste energy through conduction, especially if it's old, uninsulated, improperly installed, and/or improperly air sealed."

Before installing a new front door on your home, consider these 4 key factors to making the right decision.

The Best Main Door Style for Your Home

If you’re wondering, what style front door should I get? The answer depends entirely on your preference. You will certainly find a wide array of exterior door styles when you visit a quality window and door replacement service provider - from high-end architectural styles to traditional doors that simply function as an entry into the home. You may not know but entry doors are divided into style classes such as single panel, flush, arched, and double entry doors. Within each style class, you will find many decorative residential options including etched or glass panels, and doors with sidelight panels.

Choosing the best style for your house can be purely intuitive. When you see the perfect door for your home, your instincts simply know that it's the right choice. You can also choose a door based on your home's architectural style. The internet is the perfect source to view your type of home featured with beautiful doors that compliment the home's exterior.

Qualities of a Door for Safety

Protecting your family against intruders is the main feature of your front door. For this reason, avoiding Big Box retailers and instead partnering with a window and door specialty company will give you access to important door knowledge that can help you choose the right door for security. More often, a secure door is one that has quality hardware and hinges is set in a strong frame and has an excellent locking mechanism such as a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt.

With this in mind, a good front door will be sturdy, solid, and able to withstand the elements for many years of useful service. Armored security doors are an expensive investment and keep in mind any door is only as good as the door frame and hardware.

Front Doors for Privacy

The entrance to your home is its largest opening, which is why the right front door must be chosen to add a level of privacy and intimacy to the home. You can have privacy and additional light by choosing a door with window panels that are made of safety glass or are frosted for privacy. Other options include doors with windows that are above eye-level, such as arched glass panels above the door.

A full glass front door offers a lovely view of nature and allows a stream of sunlight to enter the home. While they may be appropriate for wooded lots or private access homes, these doors do not allow for a level of privacy or security that most homeowners desire. You will find many options for doors that allow some light to filter in while providing a higher level of privacy.

Consider Your Budget

The front door replacement cost you’ll encounter depends on the door type, style, and material. Some cost factors for replacing a door include materials, labor, location, type, and framing needs. Most projects require hiring an expert for proper installation. When you consider your budget, consider the many door materials and types available:

• Wooden Door
• Steel Door
• Iron
• Fiberglass
• Composite
• Aluminum
• Solid Core vs. Hollow Core

The door purchase should be the greatest expense when you consider your budget. When you work with a reputable company, they will explain any compromises you make concerning costs over quality. But considering the importance of privacy and security, replacing your front door should not be an area to cut corners.

Takeaways

• Your front door is the focal point of your home's exterior.
• The best style selection can be intuitive or fit a specific architecture
• The safety of your door is directly linked to the strength of the frame
• Frosted glass panels allow for both increased light and privacy
• The largest part of your budget should be reserved for a quality front door

Want new front doors installed? RWC is an experienced home improvement contractor that provides high quality front door installation and window replacement for West Caldwell, NJ and surrounding communities.

by RWC

Unique Interior Doors to Incorporate in Your Home

Most homeowners put a lot of thought into picking out the perfect exterior doors for their home, but the interior doors are just as important. The doors that stand as the dividers between your bedroom, dining room, or bathroom and the rest of the house really are critical design points, so you shouldn't simply stick to paneled doors that blend in. Unique interior doors can tie together a specific design idea. Take a look at some of the more unique interior door ideas for your home.

Sliding Farm Doors

Sliding farm-style doors, which are sometimes simply referred to as barn doors, have been showing up all over interior design conventions, and it is for good reason. These modern interior doors inject a certain rustic feel to a space while remaining stylish to accommodate a contemporary home. These unique doors are seated on wheel trolleys across the top so the door simply slides from one side to the other when it needs to be opened.

Country Barn Doors

If you have a house that is incorporated with a lot of country-style elements, barn doors really do make an excellent choice in interior door designs. These custom interior doors tend to look a lot like actual barn doors right down to the angled wood slat pieces or crisscrossed panels. To further up the country-rustic appearance, most homeowners go with hardware that compliments the beautiful style, such as wide-angled hinges or stately handles.

Half Doors

If you have a room that really only needs a basic divider but not a full-on closure at all times, half doors are a really cool option. Just as the name implies, half doors can be opened at the top, bottom, or both ends.

French Doors

Making a dramatic impression at the entry point of one room to the next can be as simple as installing a set of french doors as the interior divider. French doors have been a popular home element in rooms like dining and living rooms for a really long time, but are most often an exterior feature. They work just as well to elevate the level of class inside of the house, and you can go for either inexpensive versions or top-end designs depending on what you like. You can find french doors between $350 and $4,000, which shows just how basic or extraordinary you can go.

Shoji Screen Doors

If you're going for a Zen feel in your bathroom, Shoji screen doors really set the stage for a true Asian-like spa experience when you step into your bathroom. These doors, which are quite traditional in European or far-eastern countries, have a wooden frame with screened squares that allow natural light to stream through. The screens are not see-through, so you still get that same level of privacy you want in a private space.

Takeaways On Interior Door Ideas

• Unique interior doors can tie together an overall interior design theme
• Unique bedroom doors are becoming more and more popular
• Choosing interior doors should be a carefully considered process
• Not every interior door has to be the same type

Interior Door Replacement Services in NJ

The interior doors you choose for your home can make a huge difference in the overall design and value of the house. If you would like help with choosing interior door design ideas for your home, reach out to us at RWC Windows, Doors & More for professional assistance. We’ll handle everything from generating internal door ideas to complete door installation!

by RWC

Double Entry Doors: Pros and Cons You Need to Consider

For every homeowner, there comes a time when you’re tired of looking at your home's front door. Even if you don't mind the aesthetic of your front door, it will eventually require repair or replacement. Instead of sticking with a plain single entry door, consider the merits of a double entry door. A revamped front entry gives the outside of your home a unique aesthetic. Double entry doors also make New Jersey homes feel that much more welcoming.

Add in the fact that a double entry door increases your property value, and you have all the more reason to opt for two doors instead of the traditional single door. However, there are a couple of drawbacks to double entry doors to consider before adding one to the front of your New Jersey home. These doors are quite sizable and stylistically impactful, so think long and hard before committing to replacing your single entry door.

Double Entry Doors vs. Single Entry Doors: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Single entry doors are certainly the norm, yet they are quite basic compared to double entry doors. Though single entry doors are more affordable, they are not as visually striking as the double-entry variety. New Jersey homeowners who opt for a double entry door are almost always ecstatic with the result. After all, you can only fit certain items through a single entry door. If you intend to buy new furniture, large electronics, or other sizable items, a double door may better serve your needs.

Double entry doors also make your New Jersey home look and feel more inviting. If you are prepping for a potential home sale, double entry doors will certainly help boost interest in the property. As detailed in this insightful Fortune Builders Magazine article, buyers form their opinion about a home for sale as soon as they see it. You can bolster your New Jersey home's curb appeal with the addition of a double entry door. 

If you're looking to sell, you just might spark a bidding war for your property.

Additional benefits of double entry doors are as follows:

• Double entry doors permit homeowners to implement distinct architectural styles that would not be possible with single entry doors.
• A glass panel style permits much more light to enter your living space.
• Double entry doors are the perfect addition to homes with wide interior access walkways.

Single entry doors are very common. You see this style of door everywhere because it is the standard construction-grade door that is unusually installed when the home was originally built. While it may be the most affordable option, for homes with a wider front entranceway, a single entry door can seem lost and underwhelming.

On the other hand, there are many benefits to having double entry doors. These large front doors add exceptional curb appeal to a home. it's the first thing passersby see, and it's the first thing prospective home buyer notice when looking to purchase a new house.

If you have a larger home, the double entry doors' advantages are even greater. They create a focal point for the viewer, drawing the eye to this positive trait of the home and accentuates all other architectural features. It is more difficult to accomplish this visual contrast with a single entry door.

The reasons for double entry doors include:

• It creates a larger access point for entertaining or moving large furnishings.
• You can recreate a particular architectural style such as Dutch Colonial.
• They will complement homes with spacious interior access halls.

Double Entry Door Aesthetics

Wouldn't it be nice to incorporate a glass accent along the exterior of your home? Double entry doors permit you to do just that. This decorative element gives your home that extra special something in terms of design. This is the perfect visual enhancement for homes with an otherwise plain entrance. 

Furthermore, double entry doors can be installed with sidelights or transoms for even more visual beauty.

Additional aesthetic options when selecting a double entry door include the material and style. These large doors can be comprised of wood, coated steel, fiberglass, and other materials. Wood is especially popular as it is pleasing to the eye. If you do not want to invest your limited time indoor maintenance, fiberglass is the best choice. Fiberglass can even replicate actual wood grain. Opt for steel, and the door won't crack or warp as time progresses. Safety is an added benefit because steel doors are difficult to breach, so you can rest easy when you turn in for the night or take a weeklong vacation away from your property.

Double Entry Door Style

From transoms to sidelights and beyond, you have plenty of door aesthetics to choose from with a double entry door. Transoms are rounded windows that do not open yet permit light to enter your living space. Sidelites are thin narrow windows added to the sides of front doors as a stylistic enhancement that allows more light into the home's interior.

Choosing a Double Entry Door Style

According to ThisOldHouse.com, “Entry doors are the only opportunity to add decorative glass accents on most homes". If your home's entrance seems bare and lackluster, a simple option is to install double entry doors with transom or sidelites. Other options when choosing a double front entry door style include:

Door Material - solid wood, fiberglass, and coated steel doors are popular options for double entry front doors. A steel door won't warp or crack, is an economical option, and will provide optimum security. For a tough, maintenance-free option, consider a fiberglass composite that is patterned to mimic real wood grain.

Door Styles - you will have many options for door styles, including the addition of sidelites which are glass panels mounted on each side of the door to allow more natural light into the home. The same can be accomplished with a transom over the door which is usually an arched, non-opening window that serves as a door skylight.

Once you've decided on an exterior door style and material, choose a reputable door manufacturer/vendor that specializes in window and door replacement services. If you have a larger home, double entry doors will enhance the appearance of your home's exterior while providing an excellent amount of home security.

Key Takeaways

• Double entry doors dramatically enhance your home's style
• Moving items in and out of the house is much easier with double entry doors
• Double door stylistic elements from transoms to sidelights enhance the beauty and let the light inside your living space
• Add a double front door, and it will serve as your home's aesthetic highlight
• Modern double front doors add a focal point and curb appeal to larger homes
• Allow more natural lighting with sidelights and a transom window

Get Double Entry Doors Installed in NJ — Contact RWC Today

If you are interested in adding a double entry door or windows to your New Jersey-area home, RWC is at your service. We also provide kitchen remodeling services. Our team is here to help you select the perfect new doors and windows for your home, business, or other building. Give us a call today at 973-227-7123 to learn more about our services. You can also reach our doors, windows, and kitchen remodeling experts by reaching out to us on the web through our convenient online contact form.

by RWC

Five Inexpensive Front Door Accessories to Spruce Up Your Home

There are times when a front door simply needs to be replaced, but the entrance to your home doesn't always require such an extravagant process in order to look nice and updated. Should you need a new door, our professionals at RWC are happy to discuss how we can serve your needs! Whether your front door is brand new or in need of a replacement, continue reading to see front door appeal ideas that will spruce up your home's entryway.

New Accessories: Numbers, Knocker, and Doorknob

Oftentimes, the hardware on a door may lose its cosmetic appeal before the door itself needs replacement - and you’d be surprised to see what new address number can do for the aesthetic of your home. The contractor who built the house may have inexpensive used door hardware parts according to the exterior design, under the idea the buyer would upgrade it with customized front door accessories according to their personal tastes. Weather may have even taken a toll on metal parts with rust damage. Replacing house numbers, a knocker or even the doorknob style with new ones allow you not only to freshen the door but also add your personal sense of style to the entrance so your guests can have an idea of your personality when they approach the house.

Curtains and Doormats

According to the layout of the entryway to your home, curtains, doormats, or even plants and flowers lining the stairs and stoop may be a great way to add front door curb appeal to your home. If your door is made of glass or has a window in it, curtains are an absolute must-have, and new ones can spruce the entry up with a different appeal than it previously had. Doormats are a great way to add a touch of comfort and style to the door for both yourself and your guests. Potted plants and flowers will certainly add a welcoming appeal to your front door if there is room for them and you enjoy caring for them.

Seasonal Decorations

Seasonal decorations are always a great reason to add a change of décor to your front door. Inexpensive front doors wreaths are traditional during the December holidays, but you can also add decorations throughout the year. Seasonal decoratives add a sense of comfort to the home simply because you can add a touch of your personal style whether fun and playful or by following formal traditional styles.

Fresh Paint

A new paint job always takes a bit of consideration as it is a more permanent solution and should be done by a professional, but in the scheme of home expenses, it can be a relatively inexpensive way to spruce up the front door. When considering a new paint job, it is important to make sure it fits with the existing home colors of walls, trim, shutters, and roof. If you prefer a stained wood look, you may want to consider a faux finish paint job to simulate such appeal. Sometimes a new coat of paint can make your door look new again.

Conclusion

There are plenty of front door curb appeal ideas which don't include the cost of replacing the door but can instead be quite inexpensive:

• Replace front door accessories with new ones to match your style and taste.
• Curtains, doormats, or other replaceable decorations can add a personal touch to your home's entrance.
• Seasonal decorations are always going to add a personal touch which lets your guests know you make the home warm and inviting for them.
• Painting a door is required maintenance in some cases, but can also be used when you simply want to make a change to how your entryway looks.

Want to learn more new front door ideas or looking to remodel your door? Contact us at RWC, our front door experts in NJ will be able to help!

by RWC

Summer Colors: Choose the Ideal Bright Door Color  

Contrary to popular belief, traditional American homes dating back to Colonial Times were not primitive log cabins without any basic comforts or personalized design styles. The people who settled America came from Europe, and built homes according to the styles they were familiar with. Such designs included painting with vibrant colors. Because paint was more scarce, they found a great means to add personal style to front door for beige houses, was to paint the doors and shutters different colors as a way to easily identify one home from the next. Such style choices still apply in today's world, as a specialty entrance door provides a warm welcome for your guests and determines the mood you want them to experience upon entering.

Traditional Door Colors

Traditionally, Americans have painted their front doors with a variety of vibrant hues. Various shades of blue, green, and red have all been used according to the homeowner's favorite color. Coral or cantaloupe, for example, may not come to mind as a first choice for a front door color.  However, these colors have been used with great success in conjunction with an overall color scheme of the walls, roof, and shrubbery. On the other end of the spectrum, black, neutral gray, or stained and varnished wood tones always provide a classic appeal which go well with any other colors your house may incorporate.

The Meanings of Front Door Colors

Your front door is more than just an entrance; consider  front door color meanings and how color is more than just a cosmetic aspect of your home. In fact, the color of your front door says a lot about you as a person and the personalities of the friends you invite to your home as guests. Pink or yellow, on the other hand, shows an appreciation for fun and excitement for a family who entertains regularly and you can often find at least a couple of the neighbors' children spending the afternoon there.

Red front door colors are reminiscent of Great Britain and tends to demonstrate an emphasis on the balance of formal education tempered by travel and a wisdom of other cultures. Black provides a classic touch of formality for people who appreciate proper manners in their daily routine. Bright blue and especially purple tones suggest a fun atmosphere in which people can relax and be themselves.

Choosing Complimentary Colors

Outside of letting colors describe your personality, they can also compliment the other colors incorporated by your home by painting doors and trim different colors. Greens can provide a nice accent to a well manicured lawn. Orange can provide a splash of contrasting color which draws the eye to the entryway. A traditional paint scheme matches the door to the shutters and roof for consistency.  However, a properly planned paint job can use a color from the opposite side of the color wheel, adding interest to the home's facade.

Takeaways

• Neutral colors always look nice on a front door, and provide a recognizable standard of beauty.
• Don't be afraid to be creative and use your favorite colors. A quality paint job applied professionally will look great.
• Let your front door reflect your personality.
• Consider whether you want your front door color to match or compliment the rest of your home.

If your door needs replacement, repair, or paint, call us at RWC for design advice and an estimate. Our service technicians are always on time and professional, ready to help make your house feel like a home.

by RWC

Barn Doors For Homes: Here Are The Best Indoor Barn Door Ideas For You

Barn Doors For Homes

If you're thinking about installing barn doors for your home and you need ideas for indoor barn doors, then you need to read this.  Sliding barn doors are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the home interior design landscape, especially double sliding ones. They are no longer just exterior doors being used in the farm houses. Instead, they are one of the most sought-after interior décor features for any home type or style. Many individuals are considering incorporating barn door designs in their homes to create attention-grabbing entrances, save space in areas where traditional doors can’t be used practically, create attractive ways to divide rooms, or create classic ways to hide certain areas from view.

There are very many ways and places where you can incorporate barn doors within your home, and here are ideas on how to go about this unique interior décor trend:

Kitchen

Your kitchen is one of the best places to add a barn door to complement the space’s styling. Perhaps you are wondering how a barn door can really work in the kitchen, right? Well, for one, sliding barn doors can add some magic to your pantry’s entryway. The doors can not only help you hide away your kitchen’s extras without compromising on its space, but also create an attractive entryway when painted with a popping color.

You may also opt to have a chalkboard as the top cover of your barn doors and write your dinner menu here, keep a grocery list, or write down recipes. Still in the kitchen, you can use sliding barn doors to close some cabinets. With all those different applications, barn doors must be considered if you’re interested in remodeling your kitchen.

Living room

Sliding barn doors also find great use in the living room, though not particularly in their traditional style. With an open floor plan, it is not quite easy to use barn doors in their traditional form. Instead, the best way to go about them is having smaller, unique sets that can be applied to different areas. Some of these areas include book shelving, the television space when not in use, and even as a substitution for curtains in some windows. Small and uniquely styled barn doors can work wonders to your home’s living space décor, provided that you get the right style to match or complement the whole space.

Bedroom

Consider adding some sliding barn doors to complement your bedroom’s texture and feel. You can use them to divide your bedroom and master bath or as covers for your closets. With the bedroom, you can opt for the simple and rustic feel for your barn doors to remain the same, or decide to go all the way and find a paint color that makes the entryway really pop out, say a warm red if your walls are grey. You can also consider a color that simply complements the other colors in the bedroom.

Dining room

If you desire to have your dining room enclosed from the rest of the living space, consider using some classic, double-styled barn doors to bring some elegance to this more formal area of your home. Again, it is up to you to decide whether to keep the natural wood as it is to bring some farmhouse elegance to the room, or to change the colors to compliment the rest of the space’s décor. Search around for designs and pictures that may guide you in finding a perfect style for your home.

Home office

Sliding barn doors are a great way to keep your office space cut off from the rest of the house in style. They offer you privacy, give you an extraordinary styled working station, and add up as a piece of décor for your office walls. Adding small sliding barn doors to cover your book shelves and cabinets can also be an exceptional addition to this space.

Barn Door :

• Sliding barn doors are great in the kitchen, living room, home office, dining room, and the bedroom among more.
• They help save on space, enhance interior décor, create classic entryways, and divide rooms in style.
• Always consider professionals to install barn doors for you.

These are just some of the many ways and areas where sliding interior barn doors for homes can work for a cost of $300-$2000 or more. If you would like to find how well barn doors can specifically integrate into your home, consider consulting the professionals at RWC Windows and Doors New Jersey for barn door ideas, advice, design, and reliable installation services.

by RWC

Front Door Hardware: How to Choose Locks, Handles & Entry Door Hardware in NJ

by RWC