Insights > Article > Posted: 2025-Sep-11, Updated: 2025-Oct-07
Door Styles: Top Trends, Options, and Buying Tips for Your Home
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Your home’s entrance door is more than just a point of entry; it’s a first impression, a barrier against Ottawa’s volatile weather, and an integral part of your property’s energy efficiency. Choosing the right entrance door can dramatically enhance your home’s curb appeal while offering lasting durability, security, and comfort.
Why entrance doors matter in Ottawa
In Ottawa, residential entrance doors must withstand extreme seasonal conditions: frigid winter temperatures, heavy snowfalls, and humid summers. A high-quality door not only protects from the elements but also helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures, reducing heating costs in winter and cooling demands in summer.
Energy efficiency, durability, and proper sealing are critical considerations when selecting an entrance door for an Ottawa home. Today's doors often feature insulated cores, weatherstripping, and durable materials that resist warping and moisture damage.
Entrance door styles
Residential entrance doors come in a wide variety of styles, each suited to different architectural tastes and practical needs:
Modern doors
Sleek and minimalist, modern doors often feature large glass panels, narrow sidelights, and clean lines. Made from steel, fibreglass, or composite materials, these doors provide a bold statement while maintaining energy efficiency. Modern doors are ideal for contemporary Ottawa homes or any property seeking a striking, updated look.
- Design: Characterised by clean lines, minimalist profiles, and expansive glass panels.
- Materials: Often features sleek steel or fibreglass construction.
- Features: May include narrow sidelights and simple grille patterns.
- Ideal For: Contemporary homes seeking a bold, streamlined look.
- Example: A red steel entry door with red steel frame and vertical sand etched privacy insert.
Craftsman doors
Craftsman-style doors reflect the charm of the Arts and Crafts movement. They typically include rich wood tones, glass panels, and decorative details that convey quality and craftsmanship. These doors pair beautifully with bungalow-style or traditional homes, combining style with practicality.
- Design: Emphasises handcrafted details, exposed joinery, and natural materials.
- Materials: Typically made from wood with decorative glass panels.
- Features: Often includes sidelights and transom windows.
- Ideal For: Homes inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement or bungalow-style architecture.
- Example: A light wood Craftsman-style front door with wood frame and trim.
Traditional doors
Classic panel designs with symmetrical proportions define traditional doors. Often made from wood or fibreglass, they can include decorative glass inserts, sidelights, and transom windows. Traditional doors are versatile, complementing Ottawa’s heritage homes, townhouses, and suburban residences.
- Design: Features classic panel designs with symmetrical proportions.
- Materials: Commonly constructed from wood or fibreglass.
- Features: May include decorative glass, sidelights, and transoms.
- Ideal For: Colonial, Georgian, or other historically inspired homes.
- Example: A traditional front door in bold blue, white classical framing, brass hardware.
Farmhouse doors
Farmhouse-style doors blend rustic charm with contemporary touches. They often feature vertical planks, crossbuck designs, or simple glass panels. Perfect for Ottawa’s modern farmhouses, cottage-style homes, or properties seeking a welcoming, timeless appeal.
- Design: Combines rustic charm with modern elements.
- Materials: Often features wood with vertical planking or crossbuck designs.
- Features: May include grilles or simple glass inserts.
- Ideal For: Modern farmhouse or country-style homes.
- Example: A faux wood fibreglass entry door with white frame.
Pivot doors
Pivot doors rotate on a central pivot rather than standard hinges, allowing for larger and more dramatic entrances. Constructed from wood, steel, or fibreglass, they make a bold architectural statement. Pivot doors are ideal for high-end Ottawa homes seeking a contemporary and grand entrance.
- Design: Features a door that swings on a central pivot rather than traditional hinges.
- Materials: Available in wood, fibreglass, or steel.
- Features: Allows for larger, more dramatic door designs.
- Ideal For: Modern or custom homes seeking a grand entrance.
- Example: An extra-large pivoting bold black steel front door with black steel frame.
French doors
French doors consist of two side-by-side doors, often with glass panels, that open outward. They enhance natural light and create a wide, inviting entryway. These doors are excellent for Ottawa homes with traditional or classic architectural styles.
- Design: Consists of two doors that open outward, often with glass panels.
- Materials: Typically made from wood or fibreglass.
- Features: Provides a wide opening and enhances natural light.
- Ideal For: Traditional homes or those seeking a classic aesthetic.
- Example: Grey Double French clear glass front fibreglass doors with black hardware.
Dutch doors
Divided horizontally so that the top half can open independently of the bottom, Dutch doors offer a charming, cottage-like aesthetic. They are a popular choice for Ottawa properties looking for a quaint, country-inspired entrance.
- Design: Divided horizontally, allowing the top half to open independently.
- Materials: Usually constructed from wood.
- Features: Offers a charming, cottage-like appearance.
- Ideal For: Cottage, country, or rustic-style homes.
- Example: A rustic wood front door with wood frame and black hardware.
Transoms & sidelites
For added style and natural light, many entrance doors can be enhanced with sidelites on one or both sides, and a transom window above. These elements create a brighter, more welcoming entryway without altering the overall function of the door. As long as the complete unit fits within the original opening, sidelites and transoms can be included with virtually any door style, from classic French doors to modern designs.
Transoms
- Definition: A horizontal window installed above a door.
- Purpose: Adds natural light to entryways without compromising privacy. Enhances curb appeal with architectural interest. Can create the illusion of higher ceilings and a more open space.
- Styles: Rectangular, arched, fan-shaped, decorative grille designs, or plain glass.
- Operation: Some are fixed (non-opening), while others can be hinged to allow airflow.
- Customisation: Can include clear, frosted, stained, or decorative glass.
Sidelites
- Definition: Narrow vertical windows installed on one or both sides of a door.
- Purpose: Brightens entryways by allowing more natural light. Provides visibility to see outside before opening the door. Adds balance and elegance to the overall entryway design.
- Placement: Typically single (one side) or double (both sides of the door).
- Styles: Clear, frosted, etched, stained, or decorative glass for privacy and aesthetics.
- Energy Efficiency: Modern sidelites use insulated glass to improve efficiency and security.
Summary
Bayview Windows offers a wide selection of residential entrance doors designed for Ottawa’s climate. Whether you’re looking for a modern pivot door, a classic Craftsman style, or a welcoming farmhouse design, our doors combine style, security, and energy efficiency.
With expert installation and personalised guidance, Bayview Windows ensures your new entrance door transforms your home both inside and out.
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