New Homes & Lifestyles

Ironclad Entries - An attractive front entry can considerably increase the value of your home.

An attractive front entry can considerably increase the value of your home. The National Home Valuation Study reports that an enhanced entry could add as much 6.6 percent to a home's worth. That's an attention-getting statistic, whether you're trying to sell or are shopping for a new home. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and for a house, the entrance is where it all starts.



Beyond increasing value, iron portals make a bold artistic statement, adding style and personality to your home while increasing privacy and security. The doors may be built to a client's custom specifications or purchased from a company line of remanufactured products.



"Iron entries are increasing in popularity due to the bold, beauty visual appeal they offer the front elevation of the home," says Scott Colletti, president of Colletti Design, which has a showroom and factory in Tempe. "They offer natural light to the front foyer, living and dining areas of the house."



Quality iron doors are typically made out of mild steel; framework and jamb are fabricated from tube steel; and the decorative ironwork is of solid iron. Many of the imports from China and Mexico now entering the country are composed of thin, walled tubes of steel, which is much lighter and less durable. So be alert when making your selection.



Finishing depends on the manufacturer. "Some paint, some powder coat," says Colletti. "We choose to do both, which adds a warm, custom, classy feel to the doors."



Custom metal products with a high-quality finish need far less care than their wood counterparts-in fact, they're virtually maintenance free, according to Colletti.



Doors aren't the only way to beautify your home with iron artwork. Other options are drive gates, stair railings, Romeo-Juliet balconies, windows, window cross bars, furniture and even vent grills.



Glass is often incorporated into the designs, and is available in a myriad of designs such as satin-etched, frosted and rain streaked. "Glass is specified at the beginning of the order and is typically installed with the door," Colletti says.



A quality iron door starts at approximately $135 per square foot, and accessories and services are additional. Considering the blend of aesthetic appeal and added value, it's a tempting investment.