i guess you need to identify exactly which aspects you dont like about your current doors, and how whatever you choose will improve it.

and how you will cover the glass at night for privacy.

nnigrt - our current doors are flimsy and have major pet damage from the previous owners. They're not meant to be entry doors. As far as covering the glass at night, we'll probably get something besides clear glass.

Seaside - thank you for your comment! I would love to have more natural light in the entryway, because of the trees and porch, the amount of light is limited. We at least need some kind of window in the door(s) and/or sidelights. :)

flwrhead its good to have straight all of the goals. there are a remarklably large number of posts that begin with "this is our new front door, how do i cover it at night?". as though they didnt know night happened on a daily basis.

I can't advise you get double doors again - they are inappropriate to the architecture of your classic house. The french doors that you had are terrific in back or as secondary doors but not right at the entry. My advice - Add large sidelights and a single fir door. The result would be wowsa! You can get an arch top light in the single door if you want to try to echo the palladian .. but I wouldn't do that since the sidelights and wider front door element lend themselves more to the rectangular lights. Only when the front door is actually archtopped does that work well and that precludes sidelights - which you will want to maintain the light you get now. Let the palladian stand on its own. Go for a classic traditional divided light on the upper door and divided sidelights. Try a full 36" door, add structure between to work with 15" sidelights. Or, go 42" with structural posts between and 12" sidelights. Draw them both up on graph paper to scale so you can see the differences.

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nnigrt - lol! You're so right, and that's why I made coverings for the french doors that are currently there. Our neighbor across the street has a security light and before we had the coverings, it was a spotlight into our house!

libradesigneye - thank you! I've always wondered what style the house was, I know very little about architecture. I agree, the doors are identical to the doors leading to our deck, where they're appropriate. No idea what the previous owner was thinking!

What do you think about these doors as a possibility:

I love the basic layout with the height of the lower panels and the inset. However, the muntins are specifically prairie style. Prairie style is a tad more modern than the other window muntins on your home / the palladian. If they have the same blank with different muntins, I'm there!

Okay, I think I understand. So, when the previous owners replaced the two windows on the far right of the house, they should have stuck with the same style of muntins instead of no window muntins at all? Great. Another project!

flwrhead you have a beautiful classic home. When you are replacing the entry doors, check the door opening size - it may be unique so a custom wood door would be the best and most competitive option. Each wood species offers a special look and can be stained or painted to achieve the bright, contrasting look you suggested. Custom doors can be milled to match the architectural details, including the window muntins of your classic home.

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