Burning Question: Stormy Weather?
This week’s topic at hand: storm doors. Do you love them for the light they let in, or do you hate them for the extra frame of metal that clutters up your entryway? What about screen doors? Do you enjoy the breeze that they provide, or hate how flimsy they feel? Is a single solitary wood or metal front door the best bet, or do you prefer something with a little glass?
We’re excited to hear where you stand on the issue. In fact, we whipped up this handy little poll to keep everything tabulated:
[poll id="23"]
We’d love to hear more about why you voted the way you did, so feel free to comment away with more details.
Image courtesy of LEOOB found via COCOCOZY.
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We have a storm door that was put up by a previous owner in front of a door with glass (the door itself can be seen in this post: http://hernandohouse.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/living-with-an-exterior-color-you-didnt-pick/). We like the storm door beause the dogs like to look outside, and they can do that there without jumping on furniture to look out.
We had a screen door, but removed it and never put it back on when we replaced our door. I love having our new door with a small window. We get light, but privacy, too.
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/the-grand-tour/
I (heart) screen doors because fresh air blowing through the house freshens everything and lifts my spirits. I live in Texas, so these breezes usually comes in the fall and spring.
I like a “screen” door where you can change the screen to glass in the winter. More light but without the unwanted cold in the winter.
We have a plain old glass storm door on the front, which is great for our wood and glass etched decorative front door, and a screen door in the back.
I like screen doors for the cross breeze they allow, but as a single young woman, would only feel comfortable with the screen door if I had a big dog to scare any creepers off :)
I love screen doors. One of my favourite summer sounds is the soft thwack of a screen door banging shut.
I understand that just a front door by itself looks cleaner, but I would never want to be without a screen door option. I think it’s a southern thing, akin to my unshakable devotion to ceiling fans. We keep our front door open for as much of the year as we can in order to let more fresh air and light in. My favorite screen door solutions are actually the ones that work like windows- there is a double panel of glass that you can slide down so as to have a full glass door or you can slide the glass panel up so as to have half screen. I hope that makes sense. This is nice in the fall and spring, because you can close the glass and just get the light without the too-cold air. In the summer, you can open the glass to get more breeze.
I have a love/hate relationship with storm doors. I love the look of my black front door without a screen or storm door and don’t want to mess it up. But I love being able to open the doors and let air in without letting my cocker spainel out to roam the neighborhood.
I might look into one of those “invisible” screen doors that you only pull out when you need it.
We have a full-view storm door on our front door, and I love it! We can swap the glass out for a screen if we wanted to (it’s stored in the basement), but I prefer the glass. The dogs love to sit and watch the world go by our house. Our front door is original 1930s solid wood with 6 panes at eye level, but it’s nice to be able to open it and have the full-view storm door there.
I like the storm doors made of a sturdy metal frame that allow the door to show through, but also enable you to insert a screen for the summer and glass for the winter. I live in Indiana, so the extra insulation against the cold is nice during the winter and early spring, the screen keeps the mosquitoes at bay in summer, and the breeze feels extra sweet in the spring and fall.
I love my screen door for the light it lets in and my Bully loves to lay at the door and bask in sun while still being in the air condition.
on another note, this is kind of weird but (sherry) you were in my dream last night. for some reason you and john were in Philly looking for a new house because you wanted Clara to be able to walk to school. so you ended up at my house and I was so excited to show you our bedroom because I painted an accent wall with a damask stencil. But when we got to my room half of the damask was gone because it dripped down the wall or something (idk). Anyway I woke up and immediately looked at my wall to make sure it was okay lol.
I guess that’s what I get for reading your blog before I go to bed. lol
Haha, that’s too funny Margie!
xo,
s
I think you should add “tolerate screen/storm doors, but prefer the look of a plain door” to your survey. In New England, not having a storm/screen door combo is the kiss of death. One’s design aesthetic often shifts to the conditions of one’s surroundings, don’t you think? I must admit, though, to being a sucker for an old porch screen door – you know the kind with the creaky hinges, and the wooden, hand-built character? They just add so much charm.
We have a screeen door that slides down. The top lets the breeze in and the bottom is solid glass so the dogs can look out (and jump if they are excited) without messing up the screen. And, you can’t beat the fresh air in the spring and fall! :)
I love to open the door for the additional light and the view of wildlife in my yard- and sometimes on my porch! Most importantly, I NEED the screen door (or glass insert in the winter) to keep my 4 indoor cats where they belong. Of course, they love spying the squirrels in the yard too!
I especially love wooden screen doors that go “thwack” when they close. It takes me back to my childhood home!
I appreciate a screen door in the summer, but the rest of the year it’s not fun to have to open two doors while carrying groceries home (or the latest Target purchase). I guess it depends on where you live, but here in New England, I can only appreciate a screen door 3 months out of the year.
In our house we have a solid wood front door with a little viewing window as a “peep hole” which is an exact reproduction of the 1930 original one. We have newer glass doors in other places.
My door preferences tend to be geographically based. When living in the south, I prefer a screen/storm door combo. In Southern California many houses and apartments have what’s called here colloquially an “LA screen door” which is basically a heavy duty metal security door. They let air in, not much light, but they are quite secure. While living in Europe I grew to love the beautifully etched glass doors on the older buildings and the opaque ridged glass doors on apartments in the newer buildings. In England I stayed in a house that had the cutest dutch door off the kitchen. It was very handy for keeping an eye out to the yard or closing the top allowing the dog (and once a small lamb) to wander in.
I’m with Lisa! We are actually having storm doors with screen option installed today. The front of the house will have all glass door but the backdoor has the glass that will slide down allowing that fresh air in!
we have a glass storm door in the front with a screen that pulls down from the top. Our door doesn’t have a window, so it’s nice to have the front door open to be able to see the kids if they are playing in the front yard. Unexpected bonus is that the puppy enjoys the view, it’s like doggy TV.
We’re replacing 2 doors next week–one to the backyard, and one from the walkout basement. For the backyard door, we choose a screen door to help with the bugs that come in and out with the kids/dog. For the basement, we are going without a screen door, but will have a window in the door that can open for cross-ventilation.
Our door is solid with no screen or storm door, but we have a window right next to it that is the same height as the door, so we get lots of light, can see out just fine, etc. It was that way when we moved in, so not my choice–but I like it so much better than a storm door.
I just have to say that I love THAT pink door. I want it for my house.
We tossed our screen for good when we installed our new Craftsman-style door this year. We think the maple door looks best unadorned…but I admit I’ve really missed having a cool breeze in the evenings!
We have the dual purpose screen/storm door. Where this is glass above, screen below and a sliding glass storm window to cover the screen.
We love it for it’s functionality (storm/ screen/ as well as an additional locking door for security), but NOT for its design. I’m quite sure that by now they could come up with a thin frame aluminum storm/screen combo that could provide more interest/ more view of the existing door behind.
I love the new storm doors they make now that have “retractable” screens. You slide the glass down, and the screen rolls out; slide it back up, and the whole door is glass and the screen is hidden. They’re simple and AWESOME for all seasons. Why didn’t someone come up with these before?
I got mine at Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/Doors-Windows-Storm-Doors/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhfZas85/R-100608567/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
We live in the upper midwest, in an old house with original, leaded glass doors. Storm doors are a must during winter, to keep the drafts out, and I do love screens during the summer, to let the breezes in. Our storm/screen door has a narrow frame profile so it doesn’t shout storm door.
Yes, I totally agree with Laura.
I love our screen door (also changes in winter to a glass door). Where we live, privacy isn’t an issue, so I love the fact that we fresh air in the house. The additional light and the view are also bonuses (especially for the dog!). It also makes the house feel more welcoming on a summer day. A sort of, “come on in, make yourselves at home” kind of feel.
I LOVE our full view storm door that we added earlier this year to our front door! It lets in so much natural light and the pups love to sit and watch the happenings in our neighborhood. For the back door onto our screen porch I’m dreaming of adding French doors :)
I love your burning questions! I look forward to them every Friday! :) I’m torn on this one — I love having a screen door to let light and fresh air in, but I’m not a fan of how they look. Plus since we’re in MN, we have to change out the glass to the screen and vice versa twice a year. Hmmm….I suppose I’d pick function and go for the storm door. :)
I had to vote for three options (window, storm, and screen), because at our house these are what make the most sense. I will say that the most important factor is that the storm/screen door match the front door (i.e. color or woodtone) so that it seems part of the whole, not an add-on. We had to invest some serious money and have our storm/screen door shipped from out-of-state, but the look is certainly worth it.
I love security screen doors. The breeze in essential here in Arizona but I like that I can deadbolt it and it would take a lot to get through.
i grew up in a home with a screen door. in the spring and fall screen doors are perfect. the breeze and the outdoor smells fill your house. i also love the “thwack” of a screen door, it makes me feel like im a kid again.
This has nothing to do with your post but just wanted to say I love reading your blog everyday. Also I loved your idea to put that box with your pictures in the living room. It inspired me to find a small-ish scrapbook and put our pictures in it on the coffee table. Thanks for the idea!
The front of our house is a nightmare! We have only just barely gotten around to fixing up the inside. With that said we spend a bunch of time drooling over others front doors etc! While I love the look of the beautiful plain wood door, I am not sure how people deal with the winter drafts and lack of summer air.
I’d like to get rid of the storm door but we don’t have central air yet, a few more years, then I’d like to replace the front door since it wouldn’t be necessary – the side door will always need it for practical purposes.
We always had a screen door/storm door in my childhood home. It was an old Farm house, the storm door provided light, but also kept some of the drafts outside. It was like a little vestibule that blocked a little more wind.
I’ve always had something like this on the outside doors until my current apartment and I really miss the added light and breeze that comes from a storm door. It also gives me a little more safety with the animals. (The kitty is allowed outside alone, but the dog can’t be trusted. Without a screen door I can’t tell if she is asking to be let back in unless I actually open the back door. She doesn’t go far, just sits on our porch and basks in the sun.) I do like the look of ‘sans screen door’ but I really love having the option in my own home.
I have a storm door with sliding glass so that only a screen can be exposed. I like the cross breeze, but I hate maneuvering out the door onto our tiny porch with 3 little ones. Someone quite often gets knocked off. Or when someone drops by and in order to talk with them you have to stand and hold the door open, which then kicks them off the porch. It’s pretty annoying. My dream is to someday soon have a wood door only with a retractable screen, like these http://www.screen-time.com/screens/home.html , that roll out of site into the door frame when not in use. I have some friends with something similar and the only disadvantage is the occasional “walk-through” since you forget it’s there and you don’t see an actual door. But they’re made to withstand that.
I’m with Katie. I tolerate a screen/storm door. The look of just an entry door is much more pleasing but I can’t help but feel closed in.
While I don’t necessarily like the look of our storm door, I’d never get rid of it, just because our puppy Seamus looooves to sit in front of it and watch what’s going on outside.
Screen doors are pretty unusual here in England and I had to google what a storm door was!
I only read the comments after I voted and I think with a dog (all the dogs I’ve known anyway) a full length glass door is fun so they can see what’s going on.
We have a metal security door so we have that locked and leave our main door open to let the breeze through.
I love love love having a storm door with a screen – one of my favorite parts of summer is opening up the doors to the house. Just makes it seem welcoming and happy. Plus, the breeze can’t be beat.
The house we bought this year had a pretty door with an even prettier glass window in it but for security reasons we got security doors that are..not pretty.
I prefer that PINK door!!! How adorable!
I agree with the comment about “tolerate storm doors” b/c it’s nice to have them so I can leave the front door open and enjoy the breeze without letting all the flies in, but prefer the look of a simple front door and nothing more.
Love a good glass door if for no other reason than it protects your door from wear. I don’t have one and would love to have one.
I like the full glass storm doors where the top panel slides down to a screen, allowing fresh air in!
Do you have any ideas, suggstions, or recommendations for dressing up your front door for each season? The holidays are the easiest, but I struggle with having fun, creative ideas for my front door. I would love to see some inspiration photos featured or even some DIY projects!
Love your blog!
Wreaths are always nice. You could do a clean and modern square one for spring, a light and airy round one for spring, something leafy and autumnish for fall, and something seasonal and warm for winter. Just have fun!
xo,
s
Here in England I’ve never seen a storm door or a screen door, but I don’t imagine I’d like to have either on my house. Our front door is thick wood with a glass panel to let in light. It’s original to our house (70 years old) so it’s holding up well and looks great.
Our house is not air conditioned so the breeze from a screened storm door is a necessity during the summer. And storm doors don’t have to be hideous. Ours is oil rubbed mahogany. People actually have stopped and knocked on our door to find out where we got it.