Doors, once used primarily to protect against the elements and against intruders, have evolved in recent years into ornate, showy entrances to custom homes.
"Front-entry doors are becoming more and more elaborate," said Ed Shepard of Sierra Pacific Door & Trim in Newcastle.
Sierra Pacific specializes in custom doors for custom homes throughout Northern California.
"If (the home) is at the high end, they can be very elaborate," Shepard said.
His company acts as a "middle man," procuring the doors and then passing them on to the homebuilders and installers.
There are three main materials from which doors are made - wood, fiberglass and wrought iron.
"There are a lot of elaborate (wrought) iron doors with glass," he said.
There are hundreds of styles and designs on the market, encompassing all different tastes - everything from solid wood and wrought iron fit for a castle entrance to elaborate etched and stained-glass doors.
Doors should, however, follow the overall style of the home.
Production homes, those built in large tracts, have entries in one or two basic styles. Other housing developments, such as the Sun City communities, have several different models of homes and several different door and entryway styles.
"Homeowners should look at their options," said Debbie Renaud of ABC Supply in Rocklin. "There are so many varieties out there. (A homeowner) should shop around, find a good place and get more than one opinion."
So much depends on the style of the home and the homeowner's individual taste. Cost also is a factor.
Prices can vary from the low $100s for a simple door into five figures for ornate, posh and elaborate entryways - depending on the materials and craftsmanship required.
For homeowners trying to keep costs down, the trend, according to Erich Torres of Lowe's, is more toward fiberglass and other synthetic materials.
"Wood, if it's not properly treated, can warp. A wood door must have a good stain and it must be done right," Torres said. "Fiberglass gives you a wood look and doesn't warp."
Proper installation is also important. For the do-it-yourself handyman, Torres advises that the homeowner make sure the rough opening is the right size, with about a ½-inch clearance on each side and top and and bottom.
The standard size is 82 inches high and 30¼ inches wide," Torres said.
Do-it-youselfers will need a drill, screws for the hinges, shims to level the door, proper caulking and proper insulation.
But though the design, the materials, the workmanship and the price differ, the function is the same - allowing entry in and out of an enclosed space.
