Picking the right exterior door can be an overwhelming experience. We knew we needed to decide on doors that would make a statement, provide a safe barrier and stand the elements with these wonderful Michigan winters we have. Our last door was sooo bad that we would get frost build-up on the inside of our door anytime it snowed and froze outside…not fun.

We searched for months and months, and finally landed on exactly what we wanted and who made them. But before we dive into that we are going to give you some things to consider that will help you decide exactly what you want and need for your home.

1. Material

What your door is made of matters. Some of the most common materials are wood, fiberglass or steel. While each creates its own unique look for the exterior of your home, knowing what performs best in the environment you are located is truly important. Since we are located in Michigan and have a wide variety of weather including several cold and extra hot days, we went with fiberglass doors for both their durability and low maintenance.

2. Natural Light

Do you want or need extra light coming in from your exterior doors? If privacy is a concern with glass in your front door, Masonite has many options from decorative or textured to internal blinds and privacy. You can also go with clear glass or add grids to nearly any glass option to create visual interest.

3. Quality

Trust us from experience having a good quality exterior door is important. No one should have to replace a door after two years, and that is what we were forced to do. Fortunately for us, we found Masonite and have been beyond impressed with the quality, durability and reliable performance. These doors also helped us achieve the ultimate statement we were aiming for within each new doorway. Also, energy efficiency is very important to us and each Masonite door is designed with energy efficiency in mind!

4. Color

When it comes to curb appeal your exterior doors bring that up a whole new level! Guess what we chose…black, of course. And wow are they a set of show stoppers! Choose a color that reflects the style of your home, while allowing some permission to take a leap and make a bold statement.

5. Style

Knowing your personal style is important, but knowing the style of your home is essential. If you’re feeling ridiculously lost on this process have no fear because Masonite’s got a helpful quiz to get you started! For us, while we feel our style is a bit more modern (not surprising to anyone at all) we also wanted to stay true to what works with the exterior of our 1950s bungalow.

Once you’ve got your doors selected, it’s now time to add in all the fun details. We’ve broke this last part into 3 sections for you to think about when adding your finishing touches!

Function

Having a true function for both the interior and exterior of your entryway is so important. The last thing you want is guest coming in and out of your house with a bunch of stuff piled high for them to see. Look at your entryway as the cover to a book, intriguing, exciting and leaving people wanting to see more! For us, function is wildly important with two little active dudes and our schedules, so everything needs to have a place and serve our family right.

Hardware

You guys, hardware matters. Like a whole lot, we like to look at it as the jewelry to your doors! Spend some time thinking about what you want your hardware to do. Are you looking for keyless entry, smart locks, key holes? Do you want levers or knobs? What finishes speak to you best? And keep in mind the popular myth that all of your door hardware needs to match…it absolutely does not. However, know too that if you go with hardware from different manufactures the key patterns may not align and you’ll be left with specific keys per door. For us, it was worth it.

Decor

All entryways need rugs! There I said it, because you guys they do. You need some place for people to wipe their feet as they come into your home. And if you’re like us you need to give them twice the opportunity to do so, just incase they miss it the first time. I love using entryways to layer rugs. This is the perfect chance to give your space some added personality through both texture and textiles.

We hope this helps you land on the perfect exterior doors for your home. Again, we know the process can be daunting…but we’re here to help. Reach out to us if you have a question, or simply need a second opinion. We are always, always here for you guys!

Much love

Danielle + Michael

A special thank you to Masonite for sponsoring this post.