1. Introduction
This article reviews Masonite’s top 10 exterior door designs and provides a summary focus of each style. We included units from “The Comfort Series”, which features solid, durable material, attractive finishes, and decorative glass, offers aesthetic beauty and protected elegance and “West End Collection”, that upgrade to fiberglass with Flush-Glazed glass. “The simplicity design of this collection proves that less is more in the most stylish manner. With elegant, modern styles and various hardware options that further enhance the minimalist design, the West End Collection features seamless sightlines, Flush-Glazed designs, and comes standard with Impact Rated glass for coastal and hurricane-prone regions.
Predictions are that 2022 will continue to see a seller’s real estate market. If you are thinking of selling your residence, you have got to do all you can to make it appealing and one of the first things to consider is a potential buyer’s impression upon seeing your residence. After pulling up to your home, the very first thing your home offers is curb appeal and a sure way to get “wows” is to incorporate the perfect front door since it’s the first thing a buyer will touch. A popular manufacturer, Masonite carries a variety of quality front doors. This article offers a list of the top 10 Masonite exterior door designs to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
2. Why Exterior Door Design Matters
The choice of exterior door design can largely influence the overall design and decorative style of a home, as well as its property value. A grand, elegantly designed exterior door could potentially make the focal point of a home’s architectural design pop while incoming sunlight reflects woodwork, stonework, or other artistic accents. A door painted with a bright hue could produce a lively centerpiece and a welcoming ambiance, making a home appear more inviting to newcomers, residents, or potential buyers. Furthermore, the installation of a door with antique or contemporary decorative glass panels could visually unite the design aesthetic or architectural theme of a home—especially if a three-sill-thick wood frame is also attached.
Buying an exterior door may seem like an arbitrary and predictable home improvement project not warranting too much research or consideration. However, purchasing and installing a new front, back, side, or patio door should not be taken lightly, given the sheer number of door styles and advances in modern door design now being made. Full-view glass, three-fourths glass, half-glass, obscurity glass, or blinds-between-the-glass are just a few of the light-filtering and privacy options now available for the average exterior door. And with the sheer number of exterior door aesthetics available as well, from Dutch- and French-door styles to classic and modern designs, the impact on a home’s curb appeal may be very significant.
Adding an unparalleled level of warmth and aesthetic appeal to the architectural design of your house can be just one of the many benefits of an exterior door with a unique design. With a myriad of solid wood and glass options now available for most entry doors made by manufacturers across the country, homeowners can enhance the curb appeal and improve the resale value of their property by making as many informed exterior door design choices as possible.
3. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Masonite Exterior Door
A fully finished fiberglass door provides the natural wood texture, but it’s also factory painted with the full system of primer, top coat adornments, and synthetic stain. Without any maintenance except for washing, the finish can last 10 years and the fiberglass finish lasts 47 years. Durability is another factor to consider. “Fiberglass doors won’t warp. Because of that, steel doors offer a higher level of durability. But, a downfall of steel door is they can dent and they’re not as good as fiberglass for insulation,” adds Poprik. For new construction, builders will oftentimes recommend a flush finish doors to help bring a modern design together. Beautiful and energy efficient, wood doors are still making a big statement with homeowners. People are bringing wood doors into environments and styles where they traditionally haven’t been,” says Jason Gribble, Territory Sales Manager with WM S. Trim, the Wisconsin distributor of the extensive line of Masonite interior and exterior doors. Chris Petersen, owner of Full Service Lumber says doors can give the interior and exterior a cohesive design. “This is the area where people can really bring in some of those modern elements.”
When choosing a Masonite exterior door, there are several factors to consider. First, is the investment worth the expenditure? Architect Kenny Craft of the K2 Studio suggests evaluating the front of your home. Are you able to see signs of wear and tear on your door? “The wood is cracking, there’s mold and mildew – as the door is exposed to sun and rain, that combination of elements breaking down the finish and getting into the wood makes it more prone to rot and damage.”
4. Top 10 Masonite Exterior Door Designs
Ellie. Bold and grand Ellie adds a hint more texture to the existing Harper door design. Asymmetrical quadrants enveloped by broad, horizontal paneling sit squarely in any transitional or modern culture. The 100% solid, heavy-duty door enhancements on the Ellie include a 3-point locking system on pre-finished fiberglass.
Dieffenbachia. When you’ve got your landscaping just right and a yard full of healthy luscious plants, the design of the Dieffenbachia glass might add an extra spring to your curb appeal. This organically styled glass is without doubt a statement piece.
Chaparral. The glass in Chaparral’s top is simply stunning. Its simplicity is grand and pairs well with many designs of home from mid-century modern to contemporary.
Belleville Arch. Inspired by a similar craftsman aesthetic as the Belleville, it offers lovely curved lines and wells that set it apart.
Belleville. When you want a distinctive exterior door that lifts up the aesthetic of your craftsman or bungalow home, Belleville is the perfect pick. Not only does this wood door boast clean lines and interesting craftsman design details, it offers a more sustainable option. A solid core made of wheat straw micro particle board reduces the amount of wood required.
Aurora. This sleek and contemporary door pairs best with a modern or mid-century modern home style. When painted a bold color, it can serve as a standout entry point of your home. No matter what color it is, the fiberglass door stands as strong as it looks. The cold-rolled steel on the interior adds an extra layer of protection.
While Masonite has a wide range of doors that target any style or homeowner preference, these 10 Masonite exterior doors snag the most attention. These doors provide beautiful, practical, and durable options to make the top of your wish list.
4.1. 1. Classic Panel Doors
Relying on finely engineered metal details on the paneling, the durably constructed classic panel steel doors come equipped with a variety of glass options—including impact-resistant—and energy-efficient and sound-transmitting foam insulation. These Masonite doors also come in a range of sizes and, in some designs, panel configurations. Industrial-grade metal’s rigid and weather-resistant characteristics make it perfect for use in any outdoor application. These esteemed doors integrate high R-values, which clear the way for conformity to U.S. Department of Energy standards that guide energy conservation.
Masonite began manufacturing classic panel doors back in the 20th century, and the design has remained popular throughout the years. Appealing to homeowners and builders with a range of architectural tastes, the timeless, sleek look of this type of door continues to drive strong sales. There are two variants of the classic panel door, including a smooth finish and a textured finish, which creates an even more traditional or contemporary look. Masonite also produces smooth panel doors that have lifelike woodgrain patterns meant to replicate the striking look of real wood while also boasting the energy-efficient, low-maintenance properties of steel. With these gold-rated designs, homeowners don’t have to compromise style for energy efficiency or manage a constant maintenance regimen.
4.2. 2. Craftsman Style Doors
When you have a craftsman home, chances are, you have more than enough hints that bring the craftsman design to life. You have big squares and stunning rectangles. Your eaves are nice and wide and your railing is nothing short of something wonderful to look at. You’re modern and you’re daring, and you have the suits to show for it. If you’ve fully realized your craftsman dream, then owning a contemporary home is where you fell in love with experimental living. You’ve chosen what you like and now you want it showcased as the focal point of your home. A craftsman home with contemporary modern doors—be it a main entrance or a side-entry—is the perfect finish to your project. You are distinct and you are the trendy parent putting everyone else to shame.
As a homeowner with a craftsman home, you understand the benefit of owning a house with a design ahead of its time. Something that’s been trendy since it first popped up on the market and even now today. That is why a craftsman style door is just what you need. It’s something that others have seen before and yet it’s something that leaves them breathless every time they see it. Why? Because the woven grid is the focal point of the door and gives it an identity of its own. With many designs, they depend upon the non-conventional door sidelights as well.
4.3. 3. Contemporary Glass Doors
When it comes to exterior doors, builders and homeowners select them for more than just function. The focus, as well as its aesthetic appeal, affect the home’s curb appeal. For this reason, Masonite designed a line of sought-after stained fiberglass entry doors that marry the natural, timeless look of wood with the low maintenance attributes of fiberglass. If you want to elevate exterior curb appeal while keeping the interests of your buyers in mind, consider the top staining and glass options from Masonite. The Masonite Belleville is a modern take on a traditional design, mixing brightness and warmth. A single light of Scenic Dentil Low-E glass features dam fingerjoint pyfen; this pattern echoes the richness of the woodgrain Fiberglass plant on either side. Also available in black.
If you want something really special to grace the threshold of your home, these contemporary glass doors offer the perfect blend of durability with sophisticated elegance. The decorative glass allows ample natural light to brighten up any home, particularly those with a narrow hall or entrance. Various depth and pattern options offer even more tailoring to match the style of the home, and different finishes allow coordinating with the doorframe or downplaying the glass that offers a robust appeal.
4.4. 4. Rustic Wood Doors
The biggest problem, however, of a rustic wood door is the level of maintenance it requires in repair as well as periodic treatment to weatherproof in moisture-prone areas. The “bizarre” coloration could also increase the cost of a home by a third or more due to its bold characteristics. Masonite exterior doors, however, are crafted with safe and reliable materials, thus making all the wood front doors secure against intruders and exterior elements. Wood entry doors today have a solid core structure hidden inside an exquisite look with thick high-impact plastic on both sides, making any moisture warping or cracking an impossibility. With Masonite exterior doors, a solid wood finish is even included in the multitude of premade stains, paints, or finish colors at no extra cost. This classic lines, profiled glass, and true divided lites – without the extra maintenance of a real wood door.
Wood slab doors are especially good for large doors that are typically double the pull of a single door, as they’re sturdier and more able to handle larger pieces of glass. For instance, the Masonite Sanders door features a Shaker design that plays up the solid structure of a slab door while giving it a bit of modern beauty. Moreover, closer to the rustic door aesthetic is the Masonite Tatum, with its X design and timberlock construction that strikes the perfect balance between modern and quaint.
Last in our list of Masonite exterior door designs is one of the most sought-after styles in front entry doors today: the rustic wood door. This type of door is characterized by its natural look and timeless appeal. Marked by knotholes and unique grains, solid wood doors play up the distinct textural elements of the wood, making every single piece unique. And as durable as the type of wood used as material in crafting the door, it means it can last anywhere from decades to centuries. It also ages well, with most woods’ coloration aging to a sophisticated silver or gray that adds a hint of the antique.
4.5. 5. French Doors
All French doors come primed, saving you the trouble of painting the product on your own. We offer stock standard sizes with custom sizing available for most designs. Choose between interior Fitness In-Home Services French doors and exterior options. The United Parcel Service of America – Minetto, New York NPS Delivery and customer service. Laminate French Door There isn’t anything more sophisticated than a classic set of white-painted French doors. This laminate French door looks excellent in any room of your house. Glass French Door Is there anything better for welcoming friends and family to your home than a pair of stylish exterior doors with a wealth of windows? Glass French doors are available in both stock standard dimensions and as custom doors. All French doors feature a corrosion-proof aluminum frame. Glass with blinds is the norm on French doors. You can get both blinds and storm glass if you prefer for added privacy.
French doors have a sophisticated and classic charm that is hard to parallel. They are known for doubling the charm within your space by allowing unobstructed outdoor views and natural light. When it comes to exterior use, a modern style door offers a double wall of glass for the most light distribution. The Dentil Shelf was painted black to stand out and match the roof and front door. French doors are often a touch of elegance! The style fits neatly into the molding that is bigger than most, to match the classically tall double pane doors. The panel exterior doors are made to look just like a set of French doors (one fixed and one operable) for an elegant entryway.
4.6. 6. Modern Steel Doors
Gone are the days when you have a limited selection of doors in many wood species in one handful design options. Our doors shine! We stand apart from the options. Skip the time and cost involved in creating your very own unique door design from scratch. Go straight to select from an extensive collection of options that were designed with homeowners, architects, builders, and designers in mind. The features that define the silhouette of your door include not only the width and height but also the thickness. Expansive glass on a Steel Door invites light to your home’s entry. Glass is an architectural statement and a work of art on your entry. Our dual-pane insulated glass is thermally efficient, strong, and durable, helping to keep your home cool in warm months and warm in cold months. The water-sealed system keeps moisture out of it, the Alger seals around pane eggs water and debris from ledges and stops, and stainless steel spacers prevent noise and increase stress.
The sleek, contemporary, and modern appeal of these doors can be a game changer in your home’s exterior design. Just like our other designs, the custom steel doors offer an authentic, strong, and durable door with security, sound, weather seal, and performance ratings as you would expect. These doors, however, have a bold edge with a reflection of luxury and minimalism. A high-quality steel door looks sophisticated. It’s stately. It could be the missing piece in your entry space design. And yes, they work splendidly indoors as well. We offer these custom fabrication doors in anodized, mirror polished, brushed satin, or powder coated finishes. We offer subtle elegance or throwback style in solid plates, custom handcrafted designs, or decorative artistic options available. Made in the heart of America, we offer an entry you will never see anywhere else.
4.7. 7. Farmhouse Style Doors
Distinctive Elements: The crisscross craftsman-style window on the lower portion of the door panel sets this door apart. The upper panel is relatively standard in shape and size and showcases a single centered mid-sized glass window. Upgrade for Curb Appeal: You have the option of 20 different glass choices, but it’s the two with distinct grill patterns that will add that touch of nostalgia to the exterior of your home through the distinctive character only the farmhouse style has. Craftsman Series: Masonite is not necessarily known for its unique offering of concrete Masonite exterior door designs, but the craftsman series includes several panels with the cross pattern that complement the main entry door, side doors, or entry doors that transition from your porch to the inside of your home.
The style of these Masonite exterior door designs is easy to recognize, which means these door designs are best suited for a home’s exterior that is reflective of this look already, as well as an interior that suits the exterior style. Farmhouse exterior doors summon up feelings of nostalgia and warmth with just one look at its rustic finish, cornice details, decorative glass upper panel, and a craftsman cross pattern below.
4.8. 8. Shaker Style Doors
It’s hard not to love the living spaces these styles of doors open up onto. We can see why so many homeowners look to recreate that homely exterior aesthetic of years gone by. The flat panels of Masonite exterior shaker doors bring a sense of precision and freshness to your home. It showcases your straightforward and no-nonsense attitude through impressive, simple symbolism. With simple square edges as an alternative to the regular door jamb, this door frame offers an even more streamlined version of your favorite shaker door. These details are going to shoot the curb appeal of your home right up.
Masonite exterior shaker doors offer a classic look for homes that possess a lot of charm already. Paired with bustling gardens and broad windows, your home will look like it traveled through time. The centered panel of these classic front entries is a nod to the stalwart materials and quality craftsmanship that every house used to invest in.
Shaker style doors are timeless for a reason. They are minimal and have a universal appeal. Having one in your home is attractive without even trying. It’s like having a friend who gets away with wearing yoga pants and a heavy knit sweater everywhere they go. There’s something understated in the way the elegance of it enhances everything around it.
4.9. 9. Decorative Glass Doors
The Bardwell decorative glass design makes for such a better-looking front door. These richly sophisticated designs feature a beautifully colored glass pane that pulls the entire design together for a grand appearance. Paris Wrought Iron decorative glass door features water-like waves of decoratively designed glass that move down the door from top to bottom. Barcelona Wrought Iron decorative glass door has structured patterns and swirls of artfully placed glass pieces that once again move from one side and around to gracefully meet at the other side. Florian Wrought Iron decorative glass door has a more contemporary, geometric feel. The pattern, complete with clear bevels, is accompanied by tempered glass that reduces the likelihood of scratching or chipping for long-lasting, quality performance. Ottawa decorative glass door features a traditional design where nothing is really left out. A longer glass pane enables light to move fully throughout the home, with quality Low-E glass that brings a crystalline appearance. The top of each door design is completed with a regal beveled glass element.
Decorative glass doors provide intricate beauty, and each pattern can offer a different level of visibility. Decorative glass can make a home feel more modern, traditional, or even uniquely dramatic. Because they have a lot of ornamental value, decorative glass designs can really add to a home’s curb appeal. These doors have a large-scale pattern that can span the full length of the glass or even a pair of longer panels. With their relatively simple style and unique character, they are very easy to add windows around or above the door.
4.10. 10. Carriage Style Doors
Most people have an idea of the style they want on the outside of their home but do not know how to pull together the overall look and create the best combination in a looks together. One of the best ways to get ideas and the latest looks is to check online, drive around a great neighborhood, cruise websites, look in magazines, or attend home shows to see what’s new and popular. If you are really confused, it might be worth hiring a professional design consultant to give you some ideas and the latest looks based on your style or tastes.
Carriage style doors are inspired by a time when outbuildings had separate sections for storing vehicles, equipment, and tools or animals. The structures typically were made of wood and corresponded with the house in color, style, and decorative elements. Although they’re designed to look like they operate as single swinging doors, they actually function on slider hardware. Carriage style doors give your home a more traditional look. They mimic an old-world style with grace and charm and automatically denote a high-end feel. You can select a variety of big beefy window panes or fewer, thinner panes in a grid at top style to suit your roofline, windows, and overall style and proportion of your home. If you want a door that has character and charm that makes you feel you’re living in luxury and tradition, this style pack will raise your curb appeal and add value and beauty to your home.
5. Installation and Maintenance Tips
Maintenance
– Artisan Unleaded Patina: Use only water and a mild detergent with no abrasive particles in it to clean the unit. Customer should rinse the door with clear water when done.
– Painted Steel Doors: Regularly remove dirt and chalking with mild soap and water and a non-abrasive sponge. Wipe the door dry.
– Pre-painted fiberglass doors: Regularly clean the door with mild soap and water using a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse with clear water and wipe the door dry. Maintenance is the sole responsibility of the homeowner.
Installation
– Proper installation and finishing of Masonite Entry Doors ensure optimum performance. Please read this entire section before beginning your installation.
– Installing a new door is a change.
Installation Instructions for Pre-Hung units:
– Read instructions packaged with door.
– Check floors and walls for level. Most old entryways are not square. Make necessary changes when fitting a pre-hung unit.
– Measure the height and width of the opening at the top, bottom, and middle. A ceramic floor tile may need to be used at the sill to raise or lower the bottom of the door so the approximate equal reveal is maintained. Make necessary changes in rough opening.
– Do not remove the pre-hung door from the frame, open jamb only as needed to install door.
– A flashing membrane is recommended above exterior doors to deflect water.
– Check for nailing fin damage. If nailing fin is damaged, the door can still be installed using frame or receiving plates.
– Even though doors are pre-hung, square up the door in the rough opening prior to securing in place. Use shims at the top and bottom of the hinge side of the frame.
– Each brickmold corner must be caulked during installation prior to nailing the door.
– Only finish one plane of a six-panel door at a time.
6. Conclusion
When choosing the perfect door for your home, you can’t go wrong with just about any Masonite door. They create one-of-a-kind entryways that are beautiful, personal, and have a natural appeal. An Italianate steel fiberglass door gives an Old-World feel that is both inviting and classic. Get some privacy with a Belleville fiberglass door. This door includes a gray, modern finish on the outside, with a solid core to keep warmth inside. For a modern farmhouse feel, a Chilton fiberglass full-lite door is both sophisticated and chic. A Masonite door can elevate a home by enhancing curb appeal, helping you sell faster than you may have thought.
An updated entry can make a home more inviting, securing you a tenant or buyer much more quickly than an outdated entry system. For a subtle look, a six-panel steel fiberglass door is the perfect choice for any setting. Try a Malawi fiberglass extra-large door to welcome in large amounts of natural light into your home. It gives your home a California feel and a splash of elegance.
In conclusion, these 10 best Masonite exterior doors are solid choices for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Masonite doors are known for their beauty, quality, and innovation, so you really can’t go wrong with any direction you go. It’s known that exterior design has a huge impact on a home’s curb appeal, especially for people looking to buy or sell a property.
Looking to explore? Step inside and uncover what makes us stand out!
References:
Brown, A. and Gee, S. “An evolution of sustainable house construction technologies.” Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials, 2024. [HTML]
Tutton, M. and Campbell, J. “Doors: history, repair and conservation.” 2020. [HTML]
Kristofic, J. “House Gods: Sustainable Buildings and Renegade Builders.” 2022. [HTML]
Webb, M. “Sparano+ Mooney Architecture: A Way of Working.” 2022. [HTML]
Gipson, F. “Women’s work: from feminine arts to feminist art.” 2022. [HTML]
Cohen, M. M. and Prosina, A. “Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House as a Paradigm for a Space Habitat.” ASCEND 2020, 2020. researchgate.net
Mason, C. “‘An Element of Perfection’: The Transductive Art of Robert Mallary.” Arts, 2022. mdpi.com
James, J. D. “Norman Lewis & Philip Guston: From Modernist Margins to Postmodernism.” 2022. lindenwood.edu
Pulos, A. J. “The House of Tomorrow.” American Design Ethic, 2021. mit.edu
Turley, G. “Professor DiFuria Art of the Ruin 459 11 March 2021 Titanic: Grandeur Hidden Behind Misfortune.” 2021. academia.edu
Keywords:
Top Masonite exterior door designs, Best Masonite door styles, Masonite exterior doors for curb appeal, Stunning Masonite door designs, Modern Masonite exterior doors, Traditional Masonite door styles, Unique Masonite door designs, Masonite doors with glass inserts, Custom Masonite exterior doors, Popular Masonite door models, Masonite doors for modern homes, Masonite door aesthetics, Masonite exterior doors for entryways, Masonite door design inspiration, Masonite door colors and finishes.
