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Stylish and Secure: 5 Innovations for a Next-Level Front Door
Unlock the latest in high-end security doors for a look that blends beauty and safety
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Front doors are so much more than an element that separates inside and out. Adolf Loos, a 20th-century Viennese architect, saw them as part of a rich spatial sequence that transfers visitors into the intimacy of the domestic environment. “Passing through them means passing a personal threshold and letting the world come in,” says David Infanti, international product manager at Oikos, an Italian manufacturer of high-end security doors. And doors will have an even deeper meaning when people are able to safely welcome friends and family home again. Below we explore the latest innovations for this architectural essential.
1. Material Statements
Backlit onyx, dramatically veined marble or gleaming bronze taking your client’s fancy? High-end security doors can be clad with decorative panels in a wide range of materials, including wood, natural stone, metal, lacquer, giant ceramic slabs, back-painted glass and mosaic. “These materials can also be mixed together on the same door surface, and custom finishes are available,” Infanti says.
He favors white or black for modern doors. “From outside, a door has to express solidity with style and elegance and reflect the identity of the person who lives inside,” Infanti says. The security door on the home seen here, designed by architect Louie Leu, sports textured rust-hued porcelain for a leathered look.
Backlit onyx, dramatically veined marble or gleaming bronze taking your client’s fancy? High-end security doors can be clad with decorative panels in a wide range of materials, including wood, natural stone, metal, lacquer, giant ceramic slabs, back-painted glass and mosaic. “These materials can also be mixed together on the same door surface, and custom finishes are available,” Infanti says.
He favors white or black for modern doors. “From outside, a door has to express solidity with style and elegance and reflect the identity of the person who lives inside,” Infanti says. The security door on the home seen here, designed by architect Louie Leu, sports textured rust-hued porcelain for a leathered look.
2. Eye-Catching Proportions
Front doors are literally reaching new heights. Infanti is seeing doors as tall as 13 feet and as wide as 6½ feet (or more) installed in luxury residences. Architects are also paneling the wall above the door in the same finish to give the appearance of even more height. In the home seen here, the rich wood paneling extends to the ceiling, both inside and out for a dramatic effect. “Outside, the entrance is for communicating the presence of the owner. Inside, it decorates and puts the visitors at ease,” Infanti says.
Bigger doors open and close via a concealed vertical pivot, allowing for a wider opening. “The pivot system is the best way to realize large-dimension doors, because it gives the perfect balance to the leaf, removing any feeling of heaviness,” Infanti says. Motorized options are available for effortless opening.
Front doors are literally reaching new heights. Infanti is seeing doors as tall as 13 feet and as wide as 6½ feet (or more) installed in luxury residences. Architects are also paneling the wall above the door in the same finish to give the appearance of even more height. In the home seen here, the rich wood paneling extends to the ceiling, both inside and out for a dramatic effect. “Outside, the entrance is for communicating the presence of the owner. Inside, it decorates and puts the visitors at ease,” Infanti says.
Bigger doors open and close via a concealed vertical pivot, allowing for a wider opening. “The pivot system is the best way to realize large-dimension doors, because it gives the perfect balance to the leaf, removing any feeling of heaviness,” Infanti says. Motorized options are available for effortless opening.
3. High-Performance Safety
Modern doors aren’t just about looks. “Choosing a high-end security door means guaranteeing maximum safety and high-performance standards in terms of air, water, wind, fire and acoustic insulation,” Infanti says. Some options would make James Bond proud, such as the shatterproof, bulletproof glass door seen here. The rest of the doors pictured in this story feature a steel core.
High-tech locking mechanisms are also available, such as fingerprint readers, which eliminate the need for a key. “Electronic motorized locks give full control,” Infanti says. “Locks are smartphone-friendly, making it easy for homeowners to lock and unlock their doors.”
Modern doors aren’t just about looks. “Choosing a high-end security door means guaranteeing maximum safety and high-performance standards in terms of air, water, wind, fire and acoustic insulation,” Infanti says. Some options would make James Bond proud, such as the shatterproof, bulletproof glass door seen here. The rest of the doors pictured in this story feature a steel core.
High-tech locking mechanisms are also available, such as fingerprint readers, which eliminate the need for a key. “Electronic motorized locks give full control,” Infanti says. “Locks are smartphone-friendly, making it easy for homeowners to lock and unlock their doors.”
4. Flawless Integration
As this approach continues to gain popularity, architects are exploring front doors that blend into their exterior surroundings. “The door becomes the wall, and the wall becomes the door,” Infanti says. “In clean, minimalist architecture, it’s a way to let the door disappear into the wall — to become a discovery when it is opened — so that the door doesn’t disturb the volumes of the design.”
The door on the home seen here, designed by architects Filippo Caprioglio and Giorgia Massenz, lies flush, blending with the siding for a clean, sleek feel. Door-wall systems in matching finishes are also available to achieve this kind of look. “The aesthetic component plays a fundamental role in harmonizing the entire entrance space of the house,” Infanti says.
As this approach continues to gain popularity, architects are exploring front doors that blend into their exterior surroundings. “The door becomes the wall, and the wall becomes the door,” Infanti says. “In clean, minimalist architecture, it’s a way to let the door disappear into the wall — to become a discovery when it is opened — so that the door doesn’t disturb the volumes of the design.”
The door on the home seen here, designed by architects Filippo Caprioglio and Giorgia Massenz, lies flush, blending with the siding for a clean, sleek feel. Door-wall systems in matching finishes are also available to achieve this kind of look. “The aesthetic component plays a fundamental role in harmonizing the entire entrance space of the house,” Infanti says.
5. Fresh Accents
The popular concept of biophilic design lends itself well to front door accents, with architects flanking doors with glass, wood and stone. “In very impressive entrance situations, the huge door is often enriched with fixed side windows,” Infanti says. Armored glass mitigates security risk.
In the home seen here, designed by theCAVE architecture + design, a sheet of glass floods the entryway with natural light, creating a dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces. The size of the glass harmonizes with that of the adjacent ceramic-clad door. Thick bands of matte black metal rimming the door bring subtle drama to the design.
More: To learn more about the doors pictured in this story, visit Oikos’ website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
The popular concept of biophilic design lends itself well to front door accents, with architects flanking doors with glass, wood and stone. “In very impressive entrance situations, the huge door is often enriched with fixed side windows,” Infanti says. Armored glass mitigates security risk.
In the home seen here, designed by theCAVE architecture + design, a sheet of glass floods the entryway with natural light, creating a dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces. The size of the glass harmonizes with that of the adjacent ceramic-clad door. Thick bands of matte black metal rimming the door bring subtle drama to the design.
More: To learn more about the doors pictured in this story, visit Oikos’ website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Oikos has been manufacturing security doors near Venice, Italy. The company is well-known in the national and... Read More
Oikos has been manufacturing security doors near Venice, Italy. The company is well-known in the national and... Read More
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Great designs and use of material. The United States needs more of that fresh updated look because even new homes get too often the conservative old-style (safe because widely accepted) doors.
Thanks for the great examples! I haven't thought about using a ceramic or porcelain material for the front door. It's a great option to consider–
Love the doors! Time to update the boring doors & look to the future!