Double doors would not work on that house. There is zero wrong with the door and sideight combo that you currently have installed. Paint it a nice color, and you've spent less than $100, rather than 10K for a new front door assembly.

Mr. Dewayne, it sticks when opening and closing. We had handyman that tried to fix it twice.

It keeps going back to sticking and not opening. Even changed the locks.

I am open to a new door.

So, you are saying keep a single door. What about a larger, single door and not keeping the sidelight?

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Mrs. Pete,

All said is true! LOL.

I do need a new door, it should open when coming in or going out for guests and it does not. The handyman made it worse two times and my husband attempted to fix it as well.

The transoms may be part of what bothers me as I feel the door is not balanced for me.

I was thinking of taking everything off this porch and just having some very nice planters with appropriate and, as you say, large, overflowing plants in them. Removing rockers also.

thank you for sharing your expertise with me.

We are changing the front of the exterior of our house, so the opportunity for a new door is open for me to get one. Just looking for that help on styles, etc.

My photoshop skills are terrible, but my suggestion would be to remove the 2nd tall evergreen to the left of the garage, so you can see the symmetry of the windows on both sides of the portico. I think that will make the “entrance” appear larger. Add a row of the same colorful flowers (repeat blooming hydrangea?) under both windows. Paint your new door a bright color. Put large boxwood balls into the 3 planters by the garage, not colorful flowers because it’s better to put the color around the entrance to draw your eyes over there.

The answer is still single door as I agree with most. I would not extend the door opening to make this a double door.

Also if you are in the mood to splurge, I would recommend a pivot door. This would really change up the looks of the area!!

I would also remove the two different height pointy evergreens on both sides of the portico. Place tall planters in front of the portico with splashy colorful flowers. Also remove the chairs. This area doesn’t look like it’s big enough to be a porch, and the chairs make it look cramped.

Perfect. I can do all those things.

Hydrangeas are hard for our Utah climate, however. They seem to not make it through our winter well here, but I can try again.

Ch Specialty Designs

How about a 42" single door, nice and tall, that is pivot?

Any style suggestions would be helpful as it is obvious that I have none, lol.

I would get another person to look at it, doors do not stick for no reason. They can always be fixed to not stick. Unless they are falling apart and then there is a different reason for it sticking. What you have appears to be a fiberglass door so it is most likely not plumb, level or square or the hardware is not correctly installed.

The door gets a lot of slamming day in and day out with kids coming and going.

I know you are right about it not being plumb and the hardware, not being correctly installed.

It got worse after it was supposedly fixed. I feel like that could be it.

It is 25 years old.

I do need a new door, it should open when coming in or going out for guests and it does not. The handyman made it worse two times and my husband attempted to fix it as well.

Oh, well, if it's not functional, then -- yes -- you need to replace it. I didn't "get that" from the first post.

Removing rockers also.

The porch could be just as nice without them.

my suggestion would be to remove the 2nd tall evergreen to the left of the garage, so you can see the symmetry of the windows on both sides of the portico.

I almost said that myself! Not so much because of symmetry but because the tree is blocking a window.

Hydrangeas are hard for our Utah climate, however. They seem to not make it through our winter well here, but I can try again.

I live in the land of hydrangeas and adore them, but you should absolutely go with what works well in your climate. Never fight Mother Nature. She will work 24/7 against you.

How about a 42" single door, nice and tall, that is pivot?
That would remove the problem of double /mismatched transoms, but would this more modern look match your house? Look into the cost of such a door before you fall in love. No matter what direction you go, don't forget to bring in COLOR, and don't forget that the door doesn't exist alone -- think of the porch as a whole and decorate the whole area.

Scottie, I would recommend Endless Summer hydrangeas, which are hardy in zones 4-9. Also, the evergreens that I suggested you remove - you might be able to cut those down lower just so they’re not obstructing the overall entry look.

If you want a new front door, get one. It’s your money, spend it how you want. I would go with a less bright blue than has been suggested, or a light wood color. I like your layered welcome mats, and think you should go bigger in that space to bring in a bit more color. The chairs don’t fit.

All of your instincts are good - the door is not balanced because of the sidelight and the glass on the door itself under the transom. I agree that you should get a new, larger door without a side light and center it in the frame. Style? You say that you're changing up the exterior, do you want the door to be the inspiration for those changes or for the door to accent those changes? Remember that the door style will influence your interior as well.

I think you're right on the money about removing the rockers, and opening up and simplifying the entrance too. Lord knows I love outdoor furniture but it has to fit the space and jamming furniture in front of major passageways detracts, not enhances.

Bahaa, those rockers were just put there to have something there. Same for the smaller mats.

I am on it! Thank you all so much!

JT7abcz

We redid a bit of the interior just this last year and a half. Here is a glimpse of the inside.

We are still a little eclectic and have not purchased some things that are needed.

We took down a terrible 90s kitchen with a wall that stood in the center and made a proper galley. We then took the fireplace off the wall that only had two 18" windows...sin.

Put in four large windows and moved fireplace to other wall with a more modern fireplace.

The interior transformation is impressive! What changes are you planning for the exterior?

We have another thread going for paint colors.

Going to lighten up the paint, we think, maybe a creamy color or off-white color.

Paint gutters and soffits a darker color.

Maybe add some board and batten siding and a little straight-edge shake with the stucco..

FRESHENED UP THE DOOR OVER THE WEEKEND

Sanded and Painted the Door, Painted the Transom, and new door handle.

Hubby bought me a beautiful outdoor rug (5 X 7)

I think it is too big, so we will exchange for a 4 x 6

Hi Scottie, 

Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures of your house.  

I'd recommend going with one single door.  The exterior architecture of your home is pretty balanced, but when you get to the front door it throws things off due to the sidelight.

Double doors would really make a statement, but not certain if it is worth the cost that would be required for that.

In addition, regarding the paint color, I'd recommend something that stands out just a bit more.  Currently the black door is swallowed up by the rest of the home.

Like many have suggested, I'd update the color to maybe red, green, or a brown.  That way you are keeping with the look and feel of the home while creating a clear focal point that says this is where you enter.

Good luck!

BLOU INK

Thank you so much for your comments. I absolutely agree with you.

DOOR - do you have a favorite brand of door that you recommend to your clients?

PAINT COLORS

We have been searching through colors all weekend and visited SW, BM, as well as Lowes and HD to look at paint colors.

We have learned so much sharing our photos from the great folks here.

**

LIGHTER PAINT

We both agree with you on a lighter color.

Maybe a warm white that is not super white, but more creamy.

Painting the gutter and fascia board a warmer color to transition from our new black roof as was suggested by the folks here.

Hopefully, get a brown wood or wood-look door and carry that color over to the garage doors.

(probably update the skins of the doors, but not new as we may not be able to afford them yet)

PROBLEM

The PROBLEM is finding the right color of "white" for the outside.

We face West. We live in Utah, so there is sunshine about 244 days per year.

The other days are cloudy and we hope snowy.

If you have any thoughts on a color that would not Blind folks but could possibly work,

let me know.

We are open to doing a light whitewash that is semi-transparent on certain rocks to pull down the warmth, if necessary.

Our home is like we are inside, it is full of warm colors. It is who we are.

Here are some pictures of the Rock as-is: Taken at 11:00 a.m. this morning.

I put a white poster board beside it for reference.

This is facing WEST. Sun is NOT on these pictures. Sun is behind the house at this time in east.

Hole below the window is where we need a new plant. Had to remove it for install of the new window.

A front door is an egress door, and to do a double door there, you need a minimum of an 8' wide entry, so that you can have 2 36" doors and be trimmed out appropriately. You will only ever operate one, and the weather sealing is not as good as with a single door.

A 42" door is bigger and heavier, and slams harder. Since you have door slammers. It may require beefing up the attachment points to bear the additional weight.

Find a local family owned window and door company or lumber yard. Stay away from chains and box stores.

Thank you DeWayne.

Our porch is 9'2" wide and a little longer in depth.

The ceilings are about 11' 1/2" to 12' tall.

Door slammers to keep the doggie from going walkabout and the kid to close the door behind him.

Since we are in Utah, do you know have someone as a preference?