Start the New Year with a new look for your home's front door.
The dawn of a new year brings a sense of renewal and, for most, a list of resolutions designed to help improve one’s health and looks and to make life easier and more enjoyable. These typically focus on one’s body image and financial goals. But what about the home you live in? Extending those resolutions to improve your space allows for psychological and perhaps even financial benefits.
Energy boost: If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money, you’re in luck. Replacing your aging, warped doors with solid new door that boasts a low SHGC and U value can help lower your cooling and heating costs. A door’s U value is the measure of the heat escaping from inside your home to the outside through your doors. Similarly, the SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) refers to the amount of solar heat that passes through a window and into your home. The lower the SHGC and U value, the more energy efficient your home is. That’s why Dream Doors of Jacksonville offers exterior door makeovers featuring beautiful glass inserts with U values of .24 to .38 and SHGCs of .11 to .33.
Curb appeal and value boost: A revamped entry way also can help boost your home’s curb appeal and increase its resale value. Studies show that an attractive front entrance can boost a home’s perceived market value by an average 6.6 percent. So, if better money management is a goal for you in 2012, this is one investment that will pay off nicely.
New look, new outlook: Another goal that tops many a New Year’s resolution list is to improve one’s home or office environment. Clearing out clutter and sprucing up, whether that means a new coat of paint, new or rearranged furniture, or planting a garden, lend feelings of order, ease and reinvigoration. So, turning your drab front door into a dramatic entryway with stunning glass inserts can help give you a positive emotional boost, too.
If you’re ready for a beautiful new look for your home, turn to Dream Doors, Jacksonville’s top provider of door makeovers and door replacements. Call 904-880-7778 or stop by our Mandarin-area showroom today.
Dorothy opens the door from her sepia-toned world to the glories of Technicolor Oz - and filmmaking hasn't been the same since.
In life, in literature and in Hollywood, there are endless symbolic messages implied by doors. Jacksonville’s Dream Doors shares a few of its favorite cinema doorways.
The Forbidden Planet (1956): The semi-hexagonal, three-layer doorway (each layer of which opens in a different direction) that separates the colony building from the ancient Krell laboratories is considered one of sci-fi’s most elaborate doors. Symbolically, it may represent the barrier between civilization and barbarism or between self-control and the ungoverned psyche. We just think it’s cool.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Oh, if only we all could simply chalk ourselves a doorway through which to escape the troubles of everyday life! In the film, Ofelia draws herself just such a doorway and slips through it, leaving behind the horrors of the Spanish Civil War and an oppressive family life and entering a fantasy world. Unfortunately, the fantastical place she discovers soon bears horrors of its own and Ofelia again turns to her chalked doorway to escape back to reality. One would argue we all have this ability and use it each time we take a break from the rigors of life to enjoy a good book or a great movie.
The Wizard of Oz (1939): After the tornado, Dorothy opens the simple wooden door to her small Kansas home. But it ain’t Kansas she sees. Instead, our young heroine walks through the doorway of her sepia-toned world into the glories of Technicolor Oz. Though deep-thinkers equate the doorway as part of the journey to enlightenment, film historians see it as quite the visual introduction of Technicolor and the end of black-and-white filmmaking. Dorothy’s ruby red slippers are the prime validation of that theory. Did you know those slippers were silver in the Frank L. Baum novel that inspired the film?
Scooby Doo: Most any dungeon doorway in Scooby-Doo makes our “cool” list. A favorite? The oft-used secret door disguised as a sarcophagus. Creepy-cool at its cartoon best. Oh, yeah – We dig it.
Gone With the Wind (1939): We love the Tiffany Glass type door through which Rhett left Scarlet in what endures as one of the iconic Hollywood scenes seven decades after the film’s release. Not only is it one of the most beautiful doors we’ve ever seen, but the doorway is the spot where we see Rhett finally man up to that pretty lil’ tart, who subsequently drapes herself across a stairway and conjures up a little true self confidence of her own. “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
Which are your favorite movie doors, Jacksonville? Leave us a comment on our blog or on the Dream Doors Facebook fan page. And when you’re ready to makeover your entryway into a Hollywood-worthy scene, call Dream Doors of Jacksonville for a gorgeous set of replacement doors.
“Scooby-Doo” is master of the creepy-cool secret cartoon doors.
In “Pan’s Labyrinth,” young Ofelia draws herself an emergency-exit doorway between reality and fantasy.
The semi-hexagonal, three-layer, three-feet-deep door to the ancient Krell labs in “The Forbidden Planet” is still one of sci-fi Hollywood’s coolest doors.
Dorothy opens the door from her sepia-toned world to the glories of Technicolor Oz – and filmmaking hasn’t been the same since.
With beautiful new front doors, Jacksonville's foreclosed homes make great investments or starter homes for first-time buyers.
Savvy investors and first-time home buyers increasingly are turning to foreclosed homes in Jacksonville. Doors, windows and other items often need repairing or replacing to make these homes livable and sellable. Because a home’s entryway is one of its top first-impression selling points, you’ll want to make sure yours makes a great showing.
Homes go into foreclosure because owners can’t or won’t make the payments. And if they’re unable or unwilling to make mortgage payments, they’re likely not paying a whole lot of attention to maintaining the home. Thus, foreclosures typically come with lots of work and TLC needed to restore its livability. With a few smart moves, investors and first-time buyers can make a profit or settle into a great starter home without breaking the bank.
The McMansions of the 1990s and early 2000s are far out of fashion today as home buyers seek to downsize and simplify their finances and their lives. They’re looking for smaller, more practical yet attractive abodes. So, rather than pouring thousands of dollars into upgrades, know that spending just a $100 fixing up a half-bath can add $300 to the resale price – a significant ROI percentagewise.
If you’re considering buying a foreclosure, Dream Doors Jacksonville has a few tips. First, tour the neighborhood and any open houses nearby. Introduce yourself to the neighbors and get a feel for what nearby houses for sale are like. If your foreclosure purchase will be an investment property, you’ll want it to stand out from the crowd, but not in an overly extravagant way.
Once you’ve made the purchase, focus your rehab dollars on the bathrooms and kitchens – the top rooms that potential buyers look at. A thorough cleaning and a fresh coat of paint are relatively inexpensive ways to make a room feel brand new. Consider large floor tiles for small rooms and foyers to lend an upscale feel. But opt for less expensive laminate flooring in larger rooms.
Put a beautiful finishing touch on your new home or investment home with a door makeover by Dream Doors, Jacksonville’s door specialists. A recent national study concluded that an attractive front entrance can boost a home’s curb appeal and increase its perceived market value by an average 6.6 percent – an average equal value of as much as five times the cost of the doors themselves. Now, that’s a great ROI.
Call Dream Doors at 904-880-7778 or stop by our Mandarin area showroom to choose your home’s new entryway today.
Your home's entryway should be an extension of its interior. Dream Doors of Jacksonville can help with your front door makeover.
Just like a smile or a frown on your face, your front door makes a definite first impression. Dream Doors of Jacksonville specializes in making sure that your home’s first impression is a pleasant one.
What do visitors think when they see your front door, Jacksonville? If your door is worn, the paint faded, your entry way dark and empty, your visitors likely get a sense that your home is uninviting and perhaps unkempt. After all, the exterior of a home typically mirrors, to some degree, its interior. You may have the most stylish and immaculate interior, but if your home’s entry way doesn’t live up to the same standard, it can prove a disappointing welcome to your guests.
Dream Doors of Jacksonville offers these tips on giving your front door a warm, welcoming feel:
Add some color: What color is your front door, Jacksonville? And what does it say about you and your home? The color you choose can be an indication of your personality and your home’s character and sets the standard for all other entryway decorating decisions. A stately black or blue, traditional white, cheerful yellow, dramatic red, regal purple or eclectic orange can help set the tone that you want your home to convey. Just make sure that the color you choose complements your home’s exterior and trim.
Do a little decorating: Look at your front door entryway as an extension of your home’s interior or even an outdoor foyer. Most front doors lead into the home’s living room or family room. Does your family room have a traditional look? Extend that theme to your entryway with deep hues, brass or antiqued fixtures, shutters and flowerboxes. Is your home’s interior more contemporary? Matte colors, clean lines and planters with sleek shapes will give your visitors a hint of what to expect when they enter your home.
Glam it up (or tone it down): Doorknobs and handles, door knockers, kick plates, house numbers and mailboxes all offer an opportunity to add a little bling to your home’s entryway. Brass or wrought iron beautifully accentuates a traditional style. A casual bungalow or rustic cabin style home entryway calls for simple pewter or unfinished wooden accessories such as planters, flower boxes, mail and message boxes and other decorative pieces. Sleek metal, brushed nickel or glass fixtures give your entryway a clean, contemporary look.
Show off your new Dream Doors, Jacksonville - and win $100!
If you purchased a new set of Dream Doors, Jacksonville, why not show them off – especially when they could win you money. Dream Doors of Jacksonville is launching a monthly photo contest to find the best looking new entryways in Northeast Florida. Winners get a $100 Visa gift card to use any way they choose.
Here’s how the contest works: Upload a photo of your new doorway to our Facebook contest page and include your name in the photo caption. Then, invite everyone on your friends list to “like” your door. The entry with the most likes at the end of each month wins the Visa gift card.
Have fun with it. Use Facebook status updates, tweets, text messages and other social media sites and communications tools to encourage friends to vote for your photo. If your photo doesn’t win this month, no worries. Voting re-starts each month, so you have multiple chances to win. Just enter your photo any time during the month. Winners will be announced on the first day of the following month.
Don’t have a new set of Dream Doors? Then what are you waiting for? Stop by Dream Doors’ Jacksonville showroom at 5220 Shad Road on the Southside or browse our online selection. Find out if your existing door can be remodeled with stunningly designed glass inserts, or choose a complete door replacement. With either choice, you’ll get a stylish new look for your home that boosts your curb appeal and resale value – all at a price you can afford.
A splash of color can liven up any outfit - or any home's entryway.
Want to dress up your doors? Jacksonville’s Dream Doors and the upcoming Jacksonville Home & Patio Show have a stylish offer. Fashionable types know that just one colorful accessory can liven up an outfit, totally changing its feel. Take your basic black dress and add a soft grey scarf for a reserved, classy look – or a hot pink sash for a fun style shock. You get the picture. Now – if a splash of color can do all that for your LBD, imagine what it can do for your home.
Realtors will tell you that a fresh coat of paint in an eye-catching color will not only dress up your home’s entryway, but boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value. In fact, a national study by TNS, an independent provider of research-based marketing information and counsel, showed that an attractive front entrance can boost a home’s perceived market value by an average 6.6 percent.
Get a new look for your home with Dream Doors’ Jacksonville Home & Patio Show special. Purchase any complete door replacement between now and March 6, 2011 and we’ll paint it in your color choice for free – that’s up to a $600 value. Download a copy of our free information guide and visit our online color center for ideas. Then, stop by our Southside showroom to choose your new door.
For more information on Dream Doors’ Jacksonville Home & Patio Show special or for help in choosing your replacement door, call 904-880-7778.
Are you looking to add new exterior doors or spruce up your existing doors? Jacksonville’s Dream Doors can help create a gorgeous new entryway to your home, complete with stunning decorative glass inserts and a brand new paint job. In fact, right now, we’re offering a Valentine’s Day special: Free painting with the purchase of any complete door replacement – a $600 value.
Chinese homeowners paint their doors red for good luck at the start of a new year, but in Scotland, red means the mortgage is paid off!
So, what color will you choose for your doors? Jacksonville-area residents are a creative bunch, so we see doors of all sorts of colors. But you may be surprised to learn just what message your color choice conveys. Not only is it a reflection of your personality, but in certain cultures, a door color can speak something very specific.
Feng Shui followers say that a red door creates a welcoming energy in your home and “colorology” suggests that a person who chooses a red door likely is a brave, passionate and brutally honest person type who is tough to please. In China, homeowners are said to paint their doors red at the start of a new year for good luck. For some Christian denominations, a red door hearkens to the Old Testament story wherein Jewish slaves held captive in Egypt were instructed by God to mark their doors with the blood of a sheep to ward off the Angel of Death. Perhaps taking a cue from that same story, Irish homeowners believe that a red door wards off ghosts and evil spirits. For early American settlers, a red door signified a place where they could find hospitality and a place to stay the night. And in Scotland, homeowners who have paid off their mortgage celebrate by splashing their doors a rich, bright red.
It seems that a red door holds the most varied messages. But other colors have something to say as well. A blue door is reminiscent of water, so it carries a sense of calm, Feng Shui followers say. Similarly, blue has long been considered a color that conveys strength, security and reliability. That’s why it’s the color of choice for business leaders and policemen. Similarly, a black door signifies elegance, influence and consistency.
Green signified wealth and growth in many cultures, so painting one’s door green signifies that someone has either gained wealth or hopes that the color will draw wealth to them. If you choose an orange door, you’re likely the adventurous type, and a purple door says that you are eclectic, extravagant and love the luxurious life.
No matter what color you choose, Dream Doors of Jacksonville can help you create a look that perfectly complements your home and your personality. And if you purchase a new door replacement by February 28, 2011 we’ll paint it for free. Call 904-880-7778 or stop by our showroom at 5220 Shad Road in Jacksonville’s Mandarin neighborhood.
We receive several calls each week from people who are convinced they need a new door. It has become standard procedure for us to ask “what do you see or experience with your door that makes you believe a new replacement is necessary?”
In our experience, many people believe the problems they are experiencing with their door constitute a replacement. Many times that is not the case. For instance, when they see light around the perimeter of the door, they assume the door is warped. Or if the closed door is hard to latch, and they see a gap either at the top or bottom, they naturally conclude the door may be warped. Air felt blowing past a door, water leakage, cracked panels or molding trim around the glass, loose locksets or a door that just won’t stay shut often leads people to believe they need a complete door replacement.
Sometimes there are good and compelling reasons to replace a door. For instance, older wood doors do tend to warp. Some split in places making repair difficult or too expensive. Or perhaps a steel door is rusting out from the inside. Wood rot or termite damage may have damaged the jambs (frame) so severely that replacement is the only reasonable option.
At Dream Doors, we always ask specific questions to determine the condition of your door. This potentially saves you the expense and inconvenience of a door replacement. Many times a simple adjustment, or new weather stripping, or a new lockset is sufficient to bring that old door into a satisfactory condition.
While we generally do not repair doors, we will if the purchase of decorative glass is made from our company. Once we come to install the glass into your door, we will inspect and inform you what additional repairs are recommended and how much they will cost if purchased from our company. You may also opt to have a handyman or someone else to make those repairs.
If you have a door problem…or just think you may have one, call Dream Doors or another reputable company that you trust to give your door an evaluation. You may find you don’t need to replace that old door after all!
It’s a question we get asked often – Are glass doors safe? Jacksonville area residents want to be sure their homes are secure and their families are safe from harm. For many homeowners, the idea of nothing but glass between them and a potential intruder or peeping tom seems a bit troubling. But we can assure you that the glass on your table top, and even the glass in your windows is not the same as the glass used in beautiful door makeover by Dream Doors of Jacksonville.
Dream Doors of Jacksonville's glass doors are beautiful and safe.
All of Dream Doors’ glass doors have at least two panes of glass thickness and most of them have three. The two outer panes are tempered safety glass, which means they’ve been evenly heated, then cooled by cold air during manufacturing. This convection process gives the glass increased strength against mechanical and thermal stress. While these glass panes can be broken, it takes much more effort and makes much more noise than your average crook is willing to spend. After all, discretion is a crook’s MO and the exertion needed to break through a Dream Doors glass door would certainly attract attention.
Another concern is whether passersby can see through your glass doors. Jacksonville-based Dream Doors’ glass doors are designed with varying degrees of obscurity. Still, even the clearest of our glass doors features designs that obscure the vision. Passersby may see only a blurred shape at best. Many of our designs make it near impossible even to determine whether anyone is inside your home. Plus, you can make it even more difficult for people to see through your glass doors at night by installing a motion detector to activate your porch light when someone approaches your door.
Dream Doors of Jacksonville also provides a 10-year warranty on decorative door glass and between-the-glass blinds. If your glass or frame fails anytime within the ten-year period, we will replace the unit at no charge. You’ll pay only a change out fee after the first year. For beautiful glass doors that boost your home’s value while keeping your family secure, visit Dream Doors’ Jacksonville showroom or browse our products online. For more information, reach us at 904-880-7778.
With a rough housing economy, homeowners everywhere are looking for ways to raise the value of their homes, and many are doing just that by replacing their front doors. Jacksonville’s top Realtors will tell you that first impressions have a huge impact when prospective buyers get a first glimpse at your home. In fact, a national study by TNS, an independent provider of Internet-based research and research-based marketing information and counsel, concluded that an attractive front entrance can boost a home’s curb appeal and increase its perceived market value by an average 6.6 percent.
A stunning front entryway can boost your home's perceived value by as much as 6.6%. Visit Dream Doors' Jacksonville showroom to select your new doors.
The study concludes that the boost in a home’s perceived value can equal as much as five times the cost of the doors themselves. By comparison, a survey in Remodeling magazine found that most home improvements yield less than 90 cents on the dollar in terms of the home’s market value. And, those popular improvements often cost much more than a new front door.
When choosing to dress up their home’s front entrance with Dream Doors, Jacksonville area homeowners get a cost-effective investment that can have a big visual and financial impact. Our custom entryway doors and decorative glass inserts are made with top quality materials and build techniques. We can transform the look of your existing front doors with stunning decorative glass door and sidelight inserts or replace them with new doors. Our selection includes full replacement door systems and inserts for single-door, double-door and French door entryways with center and sidelights. And, because they meet high energy-saving standards, buyers may be eligible for federal energy tax credits of up to $1,500.
Browse our website to select your new exterior doors, or visit Dream Doors’ Jacksonville showroom at 5220 Shad Road just off Phillips Highway in the Mandarin area. For more information, including questions about qualifying your existing doors for a Dream Doors makeover, contact Dream Doors’ Jacksonville office and showroom at (904) 880-7778 or via our convenient online email form.
