What color front door?

[YadaYadaYada]

Hi all, happy Monday!

This past weekend we found a great deal on a storm door that was custom ordered and returned. I'm at a loss though because I was originally aiming for a black storm door, this one is Portobella by Pella, kind of a dark tan color.

Our house is a white vinyl sided ranch with black shutters. We will be replacing the front door but I have no idea what color door to get. Should it be tan to match the storm door? Black to match the shutters? Wood?

Here is a picture, the beveled glass is not frosted it is clear so you will be able to see the door through the glass.

 

[AnnaH]

Very nice door. Have you considered painting the tan trim black? Then you could go with something colorful for the front door.

 

[PintoBean]

Hmmm I would take a picture of your house (cover any identifiers) and use paint or photoshop to put in a black door or other color door.

 

[tyty333]

I say do what AnnaH said...paint storm door black (pretty door by the way) then you can paint the front door whatever you like.
My initial thought was red. And like what PB said, photoshop/paint can help you figure out what color combinations you like.

If you go on pinterest you can see all kinds of good colors for front doors. If you are not into bring colors for your door, gray is
a popular color choice at the moment.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Another vote for painting the storm door!

 

[Arcadian]

Generally most will go with whatever color shutters they have. The black would blend in, and if you didn't want to go that route you of course have the option of going with other colors. yellow maybe. Red even. The base of your house is white (are the gutters also white?) so you have much more leeway.

my house is CBS but painted white. No shutters (too modern) but the trim and gutters are brown. I went with a Tiffany blue door

 

[redwood66]

Another vote for painting the storm door black to be cohesive with the shutters. I have also gotten great deals at Lowe's from custom order returns. Such a good find! Paint your front door whatever color you like. I painted mine red - also a deal at $5 for the "display" door, an $800 triple glazed door with full leaded glass.

 

[tyty333]

What??? Redwood, did you just say you got an $800 door for $5? I must have read that wrong!

I like Arcadian's idea of Tiffany blue too...that would be pretty with white/black and look really sharp!

 

[redwood66]

What??? Redwood, did you just say you got an $800 door for $5? I must have read that wrong!

I like Arcadian's idea of Tiffany blue too...that would be pretty with white/black and look really sharp!

No you read correctly - Five dollars. One of the perks of DH working there for a long time. It was a display and needed a bit of sanding but is beautiful. I have to get the trim painted brown like the rest of the house now that winter is over. The original door color was yellow and that was not going to work lol.

I also love the Tiffany blue idea!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thank you for the feedback. So assuming I don't want to paint the door (which I really don't think I'm up for) should I go with black so I only have three colors going?

My thought is there must be some way to incorporate this new color so that it looks intentional you know?

I am also curious about Redwood's $5 door?! I paid $202 for a door that would have code me $335 but if that isn't a typo then my deal doesn't even compare!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

No you read correctly - Five dollars. One of the perks of DH working there for a long time. It was a display and needed a bit of sanding but is beautiful. I have to get the trim painted brown like the rest of the house now that winter is over. The original door color was yellow and that was not going to work lol.

I also love the Tiffany blue idea!

I posted as you were typing. That is one freaking amazing deal and so pretty, I love the glass and color.

 

[redwood66]

Stephanie you got a good deal on your door and it is very pretty. Good storm doors are expensive and we originally had one on the front of our house but once I got this new door installed I had to remove it because I could not bring myself to cover that beautiful front door!

Edit - yes I think black for your storm door. Ours was white and always bothered me because it stood out against the house. Black would blend.

 

[Slickk]

I have read somewhere that there should be three colors on a house. So, the main color, the shutters or trim and the front door a pop of a different color. I think the storm door would look fab black, then you can do any color front door. Unless you're planning on a wood front door, then I would stain it to match that. Nice storm door!

 

[marcy]

We have that storm door with regular glass. We love it! I also vote to paint it black.

 

[MollyMalone]

I vote for a painted door behind the Pella storm door, so the distinctive, attractive etching of the Pella glass pops, doesn't get lost against grained wood. Might you consider painting the shutters; that would free you up to consider a wider palette of color options.

I wouldn't think that you'd want to paint the new Pella door -- unless you're willing to $pend the money to have an auto body shop do it. The finish is a baked-on, highly weather-resistant coating which is well suited to that aluminum, narrow framed door with the wide expanse of glass: a door that will flex more (albeit subtly) with the multiple openings, closings, winds, than, say, a solid door. So even if you're a wiz at painting metal, I'd be concerned that a DIY paint job isn't going to be a satisfactory substitute over time for the factory finish.

An fyi: Sherwin Williams & Pella have a partnership whereby SW has the formulas to duplicate precisely the color of any of Pella's coatings (my parents had Pella windows & exterior trim on their last house together, while my mother was still alive, so that's how I heard about this). The Portobella SW number is PR 7842, so you could go in & ask for that sample to carry around with you as you consider the possibilities. For other PSers: Portobello is more mushroom-y than the tan color of the storm door in the OP as it appears on my monitor.
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/387233_Pella-Windows-and-Doors-PR7842-Portobello

And here's a video from a Pella customer service rep who shows what she considers to be some simpatico SW paint colors (the customer wanted ones in the same general color family):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1471611176191568

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I vote for a painted door behind the Pella storm door, so the distinctive, attractive etching of the Pella glass pops, doesn't get lost against grained wood. Might you consider painting the shutters; that would free you up to consider a wider palette of color options.

I wouldn't think that you'd want to paint the new Pella door -- unless you're willing to $pend the money to have an auto body shop do it. The finish is a baked-on, highly weather-resistant coating which is well suited to that aluminum, narrow framed door with the wide expanse of glass: a door that will flex more (albeit subtly) with the multiple openings, closings, winds, than, say, a solid door. So even if you're a wiz at painting metal, I'd be concerned that a DIY paint job isn't going to be a satisfactory substitute over time for the factory finish.

An fyi: Sherwin Williams & Pella have a partnership whereby SW has the formulas to duplicate precisely the color of any of Pella's coatings (my parents had Pella windows & exterior trim on their last house together, while my mother was still alive, so that's how I heard about this). The Portobella SW number is PR 7842, so you could go in & ask for that sample to carry around with you as you consider the possibilities. For other PSers: Portobello is more mushroom-y than the tan color of the storm door in the OP as it appears on my monitor.
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/387233_Pella-Windows-and-Doors-PR7842-Portobello

And here's a video from a Pella customer service rep who shows what she considers to be some simpatico SW paint colors (the customer wanted ones in the same general color family):

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1471611176191568

Molly, I had no idea about the Sherwin Pella partnership, that is good to know. I hadn't considered replacing the shutters but considering they are at least 15 years old and there are only six of them, that would probably be the easiest solution.

Would I have to have the shutters painted the exact same color as the storm door or would just being in the same color family work? The idea is to have the storm door match the shutters so that will open up our options for colors with the front door right?

 

[MollyMalone]

Molly, I had no idea about the Sherwin Pella partnership, that is good to know. I hadn't considered replacing the shutters but considering they are at least 15 years old and there are only six of them, that would probably be the easiest solution.

Would I have to have the shutters painted the exact same color as the storm door or would just being in the same color family work? The idea is to have the storm door match the shutters so that will open up our options for colors with the front door right?

Think I'd pick the front door color first & then decide what color for the shutters. I'm sure there are more sophisticated web-based programs out there -- and hopefully someone else can steer us toward one -- but I used Sherwin Williams' own Paint Visualizer feature; unfortunately, I couldn't get it to paint the door or any other trim a different color than either the house body or the shutters. But here's a trio of screen shots showing first, the 3 colors just to provide a sample palette & then the shutters (and door) in the 2 different colors.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Ah, I'm going to have to try that program.

We aren't in a rush to get a new door so I guess we will look a little odd for a bit but I'm not good with this house design stuff so I appreciate all the suggestions

 

[MollyMalone]

I was able to get the SW Visualizer to at least do the trim in a different color than the door & shutters, so you could get an idea of how the Pella door would "play" with a couple of colors: the blue is SW's Georgian Revival Blue, same as above (from their Timeless Classics collection); the red is SW's Brick Paver. Don't know why the details are more flattened & the Georgian Revival and mushroom colors look a bit different here than in the previous screenshots.

 

[tyty333]

Wow redwood, that is really a beautiful door! I love the colors too. I'm still in shock ($5)!

My front door is blue. Not that I wanted it blue but I felt like I needed some more blue to tie in
the blue/green shutters. We ordered the shutters online and they were suppose to be a blue/gray
but came in green/blue. I tried to pick up a lighter version of the blue/green for the door but I
think it doesnt have enough green in it. So instead of insisting that Mr. tyty333 repaint it all, we're
just going to live with it for a while. My house is sort of 2 tone taupe with white windows/fascia.

When I get bored with the blue, Mr tyty333 is going to paint the shutters cranberry, not sure about
door though. It may go back to white.

 

[MollyMalone]

I just realized I'd used a different browser when playing with the SW Visualizer for pics in prior post. Google Chrome (what I'd first used) does a better job of interfacing with the Visualizer

 

[House Cat]

This is my favorite color combo for a home. I think the door is painted Wythe blue.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I love these blue doors plus the Mr. is partial to blue so that would be an easy choice.

Seriously though I have never paid so much attention to doors since getting the new storm door.

I like this but I don't know, it might be a little out there. It has a speakeasy so that would be fun to have, something different.

 

[tyty333]

I like that door Stephanie but I'm not sure if it goes with the modern lines in the glass of the storm door you just bought.

I'm thinking something more plain that gives a nod to the curved lines in the door.

Maybe something like this with a curve at the top of the door (color your choice). I'm sure there are lots of great
options out there but without knowing what your house looks like and where you're headed with the look its hard to
say.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I like that door Stephanie but I'm not sure if it goes with the modern lines in the glass of the storm door you just bought.

So you think I should aim for something with cleaner lines then since the storm door has this design in it? Maybe that is a good point, what is the point of having this pretty glass if a door competes with it.

 

[Octo2005]

I love these blue doors plus the Mr. is partial to blue so that would be an easy choice.

Seriously though I have never paid so much attention to doors since getting the new storm door.

I like this but I don't know, it might be a little out there. It has a speakeasy so that would be fun to have, something different.

This is a very pretty door and I love that it speaks to the history of the house, but I would not cover it with a storm door. Could you use the storm door on a different door, maybe a side or back door?

I feel like if you are going to invest in a statement door, you should let it be the star.

 

[tyty333]

So you think I should aim for something with cleaner lines then since the storm door has this design in it? Maybe that is a good point, what is the point of having this pretty glass if a door competes with it.

Well, first off I* dont think the doors go together (style-wise). I think the storm door has a more contemporary look so I feel like you either need to
stay with that look or go with something that has a little less style and lets the storm door be the star (can storm doors be the star??? that just sounded
funny to me).

I agree with Octo2005 too, dont cover up such a cool door.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks Octo and tyty. Okay so I think I'm going with a less elaborate door since the storm door will need to be the star. It's pretty much essential in New England to have a storm door on a north facing main door which is what I'm up against.

Going to shop for a more streamlined entry door. Man, this is a process!

 

[tyty333]

Post pics when you get it Stephani....love to see what look and color you go with!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Post pics when you get it Stephani....love to see what look and color you go with!

Will do! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.