Doors of Opportunity

According to the Conference Board, consumer confidence is on the rise, meaning this could be an ideal time for homeowners to look toward home improvements. While replacing interior and exterior doors is a practical improvement as it increases resale value, this upgrade also serves as a personal indulgence.

Door manufacturers cater to clients by offering a range of products with interesting upgrade options running the gamut from ornamental glass to exotic wood species. And whether a client looks toward classic styles or creates an original design, that dream door can become a reality.

“We are seeing an increase in door sales that caters to the remodeling market in regard to customization,” says Jeff Kibler, Weather Shield entry door brand manager. “We are seeing (via sales) that doors with decorative glass and sidelites, really anything that lends itself to more decorative features, as being a strong trend for the entry-door market.”

“Homeowners’ tastes also continue to be more unique every day,” says Brad Loveless, marketing and product development manager for Simpson Door Company. “As a manufacturer, we need to be in tune with these trends and respond with the breadth of product choice and custom capabilities needed to provide customers with the doors they envision.

“Simple, shaker-style and decorative French doors continue to be popular choices for interiors,” explains Loveless. “With a variety of architectural styles found throughout the country — craftsman, colonial and contemporary, to name a few — door trends are not necessarily limited to a specific area. Craftsman, bungalow and traditional decorative French and sash designs are popular for exterior applications all over the country, as they are versatile and can complement an array of styles.”

Simpson has expanded its offerings to include the Mastermark collection, a line of exterior doors featuring ornate surface molding, Innerbond double hip-raised panels and decorative glass. The new collection includes: Pamplona, a full lite French door with matching sidelite; Embarcadero French door and matching sidelite; and Queen Anne doors incorporating decorative glass highlighted by flat, black caming. Mastermark doors are available in multiple heights, widths and wood species. Doors with Innerbond panels come with a limited lifetime warranty against the panel splitting through, and doors with Simpson’s UltraBlock technology carry a five-year warranty.

“Contractors and homeowners want the ability to create exactly what they want, from design to profile details,” says Loveless. “Our custom department can take drawings, sketches and ideas and work with customers to create exactly what they want, including unique shapes, sizes and glass designs.”

The Peachtree Craftsman collection of fiberglass entry doors is designed to complement Mission and Craftsman styles of architecture. The company’s Craftsman line includes the Rustic, Mahogany, and the Oak and Smooth collections. This line is available in 6-ft. 8-in. heights in one-quarter lite panels with Symphony decorative glass or clear beveled glass. Single and double sidelites and rectangular transoms can also be ordered with matching decorative glass. For an additional detail, dentil shelves grained to match the door panel are available. The Craftsman collection comes in 10 enamel factory finishes, and all of the new entry door systems are available with Peachtree’s continuous head, sill and frame system.

“We are seeing a transition to the cleaner, more versatile looks of our two- and three-panel series doors,” says Bob Merrill, CMI president and CEO. “Transitional and minimalist décor that are popular today call for simplified designs and less embellished products.”