Ranch Remodels.com

Replacing ranch style house front doors can be tricky business, especially if you’d like to retain the look and feel of the original house. It’s not always easy to find ranch house front doors that are original. You may be able to find a new one that you like if you know where to look.

To find mid-century ranch doors, you may want to check out architectural elements at area flea markets, second-hand stores, salvage yards, and antiques stores. With people renovating older homes, more and more people are looking for architectural items to add to their homes. You may just luck out, but don’t count on it.

If you live near a door manufacturer, you may be able to commission them to create a door based on a design you like. This option may be very costly, however.

You may want to try your hand at making a door in the style you prefer, if you’re handy with woodworking equipment. Be sure to double check your measurements if you choose this option. Remember to measure twice and cut once.

Your best option, however, might be to do some research online. Go to your favorite search engine and type in “custom mid-century door” and you should come up with a number of links. You may find companies that already create custom mid-century doors that would be perfect for your ranch house front door.

One place to look at is Crestview Doors. Located in Austin, Texas, this company has spent a good amount of time researching the door styles of mid-century ranch houses. They use the designs of the past and combine them with the manufacturing materials and methods of today. When they’re finished, you have a great looking door that matches your home’s original style.

This site has the coolest tool! You take a picture of the front of your house… upload the picture… and then you can try different doors on your house to find the perfect solution! How cool is that? Here is the link to the tool: Ranch House Front Door Tool

Simpson is another manufacturer of custom-made doors. They have dealers all over the United States, so it may be easier to find one near you rather than having to send off to Texas to get a door. The cost may also be more reasonable since you won’t have as many shipping charges to contend with.

When replacing the front door to your home you may also want to keep in mind the décor inside the home. Obviously you won’t choose an Oriental style front door if the interior of your home is decorated in a classic or country style.

You may also consider how much privacy you want in regard to your door. Doors of the period had small inset glass windows. If you want more privacy, you may want to have a frosted glass rather than clear glass.

No matter which option you use to replace your ranch house front door, remember that the front door is the place to make a great first impression. You can create a personal statement by the design and color of the door you choose.

Installing and Hanging Doors (For Pros by Pros)

photo credit: berbercarpet

Entryways have a lot to say about the homeowner.  For those that have a ranch, entryways say “Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.”  If the entryway to your ranch home isn’t so welcoming, there are ways to change it so it does.

If your home is pleasing to the eye and leads guests to your front door it is said to have Curb Appeal.  Start at the curb or sidewalk in front of your home.  Draw people to your front door by winding the sidewalk toward the house rather than having a straight line from point A to point B.  You may also consider lining the sidewalk with flowers or plants.

Lighting is another element that can give your home a more welcoming look.  No one likes to walk up to a dark doorway because they can’t see who or what may be lurking in the shadows.  Add some outside light fixtures by the door to help your guests feel more secure when approaching your home.

If you have a stoop or porch, decorating the front of the house can be a great way to make it seem more welcoming.  Depending on how big your porch is, you may be able to set out a small table and two chairs.  Plants can also make the porch look more comfortable to the eye, which will help set guests at ease.

Finally, your Door itself can speak volumes.  You may want to keep the door similar to the original style but do you know what type of door would have been placed on a 1950s style ranch?  It seems that doors currently built are designed for more modern homes or homes that are more formal than a mid-century ranch.

Unfortunately, many of the doors you’ll find on 1950s ranch homes are wooden slab flat-front doors.  They do little to welcome a guest to your home.  You may consider changing out your door, as well as painting and decorating around it, to make it more welcoming.

Doors that would be good choices to remain in the style of home include plain doors with three to four small windows cut in them.  These were generally placed on a diagonal line.  You may have also seen flat doors with three larger windows inset in them.

Whatever you choose to do to make your home more welcoming, the ranch entryway can be decorated to suit your style and your tastes.  Don’t feel pressured into sticking with the original style, the home is supposed to be an extension of your personality, so choose what you will.

Be sure to consider how your guests see your home when you’re decorating or renovating your ranch entryway.  Remember that you want people to feel welcomed when they come to your home, and your entryway can be a great start!

Check out this great book on Design Ideas for Curb Appeal

photo credit: toolfan.hess

photo credit: Here in Van Nuys

Although the name “bungalow” comes from India, this style of house is an entirely American architectural style.  Bungalows are single-story houses with a low-pitched shingle roof.  They were popular during the 1910s and 1920s.  The bungalow exterior paint was earthy and muted in tone.

The bungalow had an unusual floor plan.  In most cases, particularly in the early years of this style, there was a main central living area.  The remaining rooms – kitchen, dining area, bedrooms, and bathrooms – clustered around the central area.  The house had plenty of windows and a welcoming front porch.

Similar in style to the Craftsman and Prairie style houses, the bungalow is best suited to those who enjoy a simple or informal lifestyle.  Those that enjoy the outdoors will enjoy this type of house because has wide porches that create additional outdoor living space.  The bungalow helps the homeowner to embrace the outdoors as they use the various porches and open the many windows.

It is very common to see a bungalow among trees and shrubs which helps the home to remain as private as the homeowner prefers.  Of course, the Bungalow Exterior Paint may help the home almost disappear among the foliage depending upon how the house is painted.  Most bungalows have earth-tone shingles that contrasted with the muted shades of the bungalow’s exterior paint.

Historical colors for bungalow exterior paint include walls that were painted gray, trim painted deep green and accent colors in copper red.  Other combinations included walls painted in bronze green, trim in Birdseye maple, and accents painted in hammered silver; wall color suede, trim in brass, and accents painted in polished mahogany.

Many first-time homebuyers are interested in bungalows because they allow the homebuyer to learn about homeownership without becoming overwhelmed.  The size of the home means there is less upkeep than there would be for a larger home.  They are also a good choice for people who have mobility impairment because there are no steps to contend with.

There are a number of variations on the bungalow concept.  These include the ranch bungalow that has the bedrooms separated from the remaining living areas similar to the ranch style house, raised bungalow which actually has a basement that is partially above ground, and the chalet bungalow which offers a second story loft area.

No matter the layout of the bungalow, exterior paint combinations are most likely similar.  Of course, this could depend upon the location of the house.  When repainting the home, it is probably best to leave the color of the house as close to the original as possible.  Historically accurate bungalow exterior paints can be purchased from suppliers such as Sherwin Williams, Pittsburgh Paint, and Lowe’s.

Check out these great books on:

Bungalow Colors Exteriors

Bungalows: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New

photo credit: roarofthefour