Dynamic entry doors focal point of home

Entry doors are becoming the focal point of the home.

"They're getting wider and taller," said LaCantina Doors Marketing Director Benjamin Woo. "There's a trend of using glass as opposed to solid wood as well as combinations of metal and wood."

Woo said using glass and sidelights allow entry doors to become more open and dynamic.

"Doors in the past were 7 or 8 feet tall and now you're seeing them at 9 or 10," he said. "As architecture continues to evolve the door will, too."

The Oceanside, Calif.-based company is launching a pivot-entry door later this year to meet the demands of making the entry door a centerpiece.

"It was something that was once overlooked," Woo said of entry doors. "It's the first thing you see and it sets the tone for the home."

Kim Chitwood, director of marketing for William Lyons Homes said the company offers a pivot door at Summerlin-based Sterling Ridge and Lago Vista in Henderson's Lake Las Vegas.

"It's one big massive door that pivots instead of opening on hinges," she said. "There's a 'wow' factor before you even walk in the door. It really sets the mood."

Chitwood said the pivot door fits with the design William Lyons is executing.

"We started using contemporary-style architecture and it plays off the architecture we're building right now," she said. "We've definitely offered an array of door styles but the pivot doors really are a contemporary door."

John Tuvell, sales agent at Blue Heron Homes, said the company implements entry courtyards into many of their homes so security is no longer an issue when it comes to the entry door.

"Particularly because we have a front courtyard, the door doesn't need to be imposing," he said. "Homeowners can do all glass if they want because they're not worried about the security aspect."

Tuvell said the traditional nearly 10-foot hardwood doors with single light panels are still popular, however, double doors in metal finishes are back in style as well as rubbed oil bronze, burnished copper, brushed steel and nickel.

"It's important that the door reflects that same design aesthetic and that it's not just a passageway with deadbolt and lock," he said. "People didn't think about it much before but in order to keep the consistency in the layers and inside the home, the front entrance doesn't look onto the street but at the courtyard with various water features, fountains and plants."

Brad Loveless, marketing and product development manager at Simpson Door Co., said 20 years ago the company only manufactured doors from three different wood types.

"In the last year or so we offer 49 different wood types, which reflects how our clients can customize their entryway door," he said. "The trend of personalization has really been evident and manifests itself with the door size because now if someone wants an oversized door we can provide that, not just the standard sizes."

Loveless said he anticipates customization will continue to prevail when it comes to entry doors.

"It's something the homeowner interacts with on a daily basis and it's the first thing a visitor touches and sees," he said. "As companies get better at manufacturing, it won't be such a daunting cost or difficulty to find someone to customize an entry door anymore."

Pardee Southern Nevada Division President Klif Andrews said the company is installing larger doors at its Las Vegas Valley properties.

"Right now our common door is 3½ feet where traditionally most builders are installing 3-foot wide doors," he said. "We're also allowing for different type of window options with narrow windows inside the doors or on the side to add visibility into the entryway."

Andrews said wider doors reflect a new design movement.

"I think this fits the contemporary design trends," he said. "Wider entryway door statements are really popular with our buyers right now."

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.