by Catherine Adams
what your front door says about you
Who knew a front door had so much to say, especially in New Mexico. “Your front door
makes a statement about you,” says Shannon White, vice president of Santa Fe Door Store
Inc. “It’s the first impression you make on people who walk up.”
From the pragmatist to the modernist to the Old World soul, “front doors serve as a
metaphor for your life,” says Melissa Coleman, owner of La Puerta Originals. They represent passing from the external world “into your own inner sanctuary.”
Both long-standing, family-owned local businesses have seen entry doors evolve over the
years. But one thing that hasn’t changed, per White: “People tend to be very passionate
about their front doors. It’s where they often run over budget.”
old world
“Today people are almost craving that which is authentically old,” Coleman says. “There are so many mass-produced products out there.” All of La Puerta’s doors are handcrafted from reclaimed wood and repurposed lumber at their local mill and workshop. The result is a highly customized, Old World-style popular among the well-off and well-traveled— their niche.
Some of these doors run up to three inches thick, making them both durable and safe. “You can’t kick in three inches of solid wood,” Coleman says. As for price point, “most basic doors run from $8,000 to $10,000, which includes hardware and glass,” and go up from there.
modernist
Meanwhile, contemporary architecture is making itself known around the state. “With the modern movement, we’re seeing more pivot doors, oversized doors and clear material versus knotty material,” White says. “People want more exotic American hardwoods, like rift-cut (vertical grain) walnut and oak.” Their entry doors run $2,500 and up.
The color of your front door also says something about you, adds White. A red door says welcome. A white door says clean and serene; a blue door says prosperous and grounded. A black door symbolizes order and control. Orange is vibrant and exciting. Gray is intelligent and dignified. Green means health and community.
utilitarian
For some, front doors are more utilitarian — all about function, durability and security. That’s right up the alley of Pella Window and Door. Most of their doors are made of fiberglass, and occasionally steel.
“Fiberglass accommodates multiple stains, paint and molded wood grain,” says Jim Dundon, general manager of Pella Window and Door’s regional office in Albuquerque. “It looks just like wood from two feet away. Plus, it’s more durable, it won’t crack or split from the environment,” sparing the expense of high maintenance.
As for safety, “our doors feature a multipoint locking system,” Dundon says. “When you lift the handle, three bolts lock into place along the side, bottom and top of the door.” In addition, any window in or around the front door features builtin security via Pella’s Insynctive smart technology. These are hidden security sensors built into windows that allow remote monitoring for those with smart living technology in their homes. Pella’s entry doors run $800 and up.
The right entry door will welcome guests happily into your home.
resources
La Puerta Originals
lapuertaoriginals.com
Pella Window and Door
pellaofalbuquerque.com
Santa Fe Door Store Inc.
