Main Entry Ideas for New Home Construction

Materials

• Wood and glass are two choice materials for an entryway. But don't use just any wood. Re-engineered wood eliminates moisture concerns. This type of material also resists warping, splitting or twisting, increasing the entryway's lifespan and durability. When using glass, avoid the cookie-cutter design of the ordinary six-panel look and opt for glass products with detailed patterns and raised moldings. Advances in glass technology also mean better products that avoid problems such as leaks and drafts, because of better insulation.

Accent Pieces

• Custom-made doors with sidelights and transoms add instant charm to an entryway. Glass inserts and hardware are also invaluable in creating a custom look, often without requiring a great expense. A brass kickplate on the front door and polished house numbers offer a timeless look. Urethane columns in a serpentine, fluted square or plain panel design add instant interest to a main entryway, and are weather-resistant, too.

Lighting

• Whether it’s lighting a walkway or casting a glow on the front door, lighting is an integral part of an entryway. If your entryway is molded from custom concrete, cast built-in fixtures right into the steps for safety and ambience. Step up the style of ordinary lighting fixtures and opt for pendant lights rather than a single, flushed fixture above the front door. Decorative lampposts at both ends of the walkway also provide good methods to add aesthetic, yet functional appeal to an entryway.

Period Elements

• If your new home construction project mimics the style of a time gone by, don’t overlook the details of incorporating entryway elements from that era. The entrances of Georgian-style homes, for instance, are strongly characterized by a portico.