Want more curb appeal? A lot hinges on your door  

Shopping for a home is a lot like online dating. So much rides on that first photo. Whether you’re looking for a potential house or a potential partner, a prospect's "curb appeal" often determines whether you cross the figurative threshold or swipe left.

I mean, the guy could be the nicest fellow in North America, but if he's wearing a wife-beater t-shirt, is holding a beer, looks like he combed his hair with a hand mixer, and you can see the toilet seat up in the background, that's a hard pass.

As homes go, the focus of that first photo falls on the front door, which should draw you in. However, many front doors don't do their homes any such favor.

"So many people buy a home and just live with the door that it comes with when they could really improve the whole face of their home and make it more of what they want by changing it," said Jennifer Matson, spokesperson for JELD-WEN, a leading supplier of doors and windows based in North Carolina.

"Replacing a door is such an easy and relatively inexpensive project compared to most renovations," she said. "Many studies show that replacing your front door almost always pays for itself. I don't know why more homeowners don't do it."

"I know why," I tell her. "Because most homeowners don't know where to start. They look online at door options, get overwhelmed, then go play Wordle."

Does your home say welcome? It's all in the approach

Matson broke the process down. "Start by asking what you want from your front door," she said. "Better curb appeal, greater security, improved weatherability, more light or privacy, greater energy efficiency? All that is possible." Most people want an exterior door that will keep intruders out, stand up to the elements and look great year-round.

Next, ask if you can get what you want by refinishing the door you have or if you should replace it. If the underlying door is in good condition, a fresh coat of paint and new hardware can make it look new again. However, if you can see daylight peeking through, if hot or cold air is coming in, if rust or rot is evident, or if you don't like its looks, a new door may be in order.

If so, here's what to consider:

Marni Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books, including What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want, Downsizing the Family Home – What to Save, What to Let Go, and Downsizing the Blended Home – When Two Households Become One. You may reach her at marnijameson.com.

Sign up for email newsletters