A Dutch Door to Set Your Home Apart

The post A Dutch Door to Set Your Home Apart appeared first on Homedit.
However, there are drawbacks, which means they are not ideal for every situation.
The side lights allow plenty of natural light to filter through. When you are ready for more light and fresh air, just open the top part of the door. If you are interested in painting your door something similar, try Sherwin Williams Hunt Club (SW 6468) or Green Bay (2045-10) from Benjamin Moore.

Dutch Doors: The Basics

This creates a pleasing symmetry that works well on a craftsman’s bungalow. The homeowners have painted the door a black color to give the door a look of simple refinement.

An interior Dutch door painted in red gives this kitchen a bright splash of color into the neutral space. Further, these doors are handy inside the home for keeping kids and/or pets safe rather than adding a more intrusive element like a baby gate.

Construction

If you have a more neutral look in mind, try an all white entry door. This is a clean look with an unexpected twist. This modern Dutch door creates a unified look along with the side transoms. The elegant modern farmhouse look unifies the space with the continuity of the design and color.
This front door design is the perfect element to add the rustic charm of barn doors to your home style.
Let in more natural light with this craftsman-style Dutch door design. This exterior door has a five-light glass-paneled top that complements the same style sidelights.
Yes, you can use a screen with a Dutch door, though it can be cumbersome. The best option is a retractable screen that you install on the outside of the door molding rather than using another screen door to cover the Dutch door.

Purpose

Dutch doors are secure because they have bolts and locks that keep the door closed. However, because there are more moving parts on a Dutch door, the hardware is more susceptible to breaking. You need to make sure that you keep Dutch door panels and hardware in good repair to make sure that it is as secure as it can be. This is true for an interior Dutch door but more so for an exterior Dutch door.

Styles

If you have a desire to stand out, choose a bright blue door to bring vibrancy to your entry. The style and color of this door will make your home a paragon of style in your own neighborhood. Plus, it creates an inviting entrance that your guests will love.

Pros and cons of the Dutch door

Throughout the long years of their existence, people have used Dutch doors in many contexts. An exterior Dutch door can be used as an entry door though they are also useful as a back entrance where kids and pets enter and exit.

This front door is an example of a 3/4 Dutch door. The light yellow has a cheerful but elegant look, perfect for this entry with dark tones.

Pros

• These doors are high on charm. They have such a unique look that they create instant appeal for your house.
• They are practical in that they can replace a baby gate for animals or children that you need to corral. Just close the lower door and leave the upper portion open so that you can still see and hear into the next room or yard area.
• They allow fresh air into the home without having to open the whole door.
• You can open the top portion when receiving deliveries allowing many to feel less vulnerable than opening the whole door to a stranger.

Cons

• It can be difficult to put a screen on a Dutch door, so insects and bugs are bound to come into your home when you leave this door open. While it isn’t practical or attractive to have a screen over your Dutch door, some add a sliding retractable screen door to the door molding outside the door.
• Dutch doors are difficult for children to use, and because they can be tricky to close; fingers may be pinched in the process.
• Dutch doors are more custom than standard doors, so they are a more expensive option than a regular door.
• Because there are so many moving parts on a Dutch door, they can be hard to install. Also, if they are not installed well, Dutch doors are less weatherproof.

Dutch Door Ideas For Inspiration

Green with envy

Take in more of the outside world with a double Dutch door. This double hung door has four panels that open independent of one another. This home overlooks a lovely view, and the homeowners have welcomed this view into their home by throwing wide the top door panels.
Everyone wants their home to have an original look to distinguish it from others. If this applies to you, a Dutch door could be the solution you desire. The door style is charming yet practical and has a lineage dating back roughly 400 years.

Craftsman style double Dutch doors

If you want to paint your own Dutch door a similar color, look at Briny (SW 6775) from Sherwin Williams or Varsity Blues (756) from Benjamin Moore.
For the most part, the Dutch door hardware is that of a standard door. You need standard door hinges and a knob and lock on the bottom half. If you would like to add a bit of extra security, add a deadbolt on the top half of the door as well.
These doors are truly original. They offer many ways to make the outside and inside of your home more interesting and functional. Here are some wonderful ideas for you to consider as you think about adding one of these lovely doors in your home spaces.

Dueling colors

The owners have painted the door white along with the surrounding side panels and molding.
All Dutch doors require one piece of special hardware; the latch is the piece that connects the bottom portion to the top portion. The Dutch door latch is bolted when both the top and bottom half doors are closed but can be left open if either section is open.
You can use a Dutch door anywhere in the house, from the front entry to interior doors. Internal Dutch doors work well in kid’s bedrooms, laundry rooms, pantries, and mudrooms. Exterior Dutch doors make beautiful front doors and side doors.
Many homeowners use an interior Dutch door to separate the laundry room, mudroom, or pantry. Further, many people still value a barn door that is a split door which is useful in a place like a barn with farm animals.

Bring more light inside

If you can’t decide on one color for your door, why not choose two?
The doors can be customized with molding and paint to blend with your home in a seamless way or deliver an unforgettable statement.

Brighten your interior spaces

Because these doors have maintained their popularity for so long, they have obvious benefits to many homeowners.

Double Dutch exterior doors are a statement all in themselves. However, painting it a stunning color will up the ante for all your neighbors. This solid wood Dutch door is elegant in dark green paint and finished with intricate molding.

Bright and sunny Dutch front door

Dutch doors were popular in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Most of these doors were used as barn doors to keep in animals while allowing fresh air and sunlight in. However, Dutch doors have no affiliation with the Dutch today.
Dutch doors contain the mess of pantries, mudrooms, or laundry rooms without closing off the whole room from sight. This door can grow with the needs of the family.

Rustic farmhouse front door

They have kept the Dutch door interior more neutral to blend with the aqua blue kitchen. If you like the exterior color of this door, try Teal Blast (2039-40) from Benjamin Moore.
The barn design and look complement the earthy and textured tones of the living room. This look is similar to sliding barn doors that many people use as interior doors now.

Double Dutch doors with a view

These homeowners have extended the look of the single glass-paneled front Dutch door. They added large transoms above the door and the sidelights to let in as much light as possible. The look is simple and stately.

Updating a backyard shed

Dutch doors are a historical style door that are making a comeback. These doors have become popular in recent years because they give your home a unique look and they add practical functionality. This may be just the right time to make your Dutch door dreams a reality. In the end, it is worth the extra effort to add this exceptional door to your home.

Modern Dutch door for style

While the Dutch door may be a historic design, these doors come in a variety of styles to suit homes of all types. There is modern Dutch door style, a farmhouse Dutch door, rustic and reclaimed Dutch doors, and refined Dutch doors. There are doors that are split with an even top and a bottom, and a 3/4 Dutch door that has a larger top or bottom portion.

Color it pretty

Because they are not standard, you will pay more for a Dutch door than for a regular door. Expect to pay anywhere from 0 to 00 for a Dutch door and installation. You can save money by taking on a DIY project and making your own Dutch door from a regular door.
Dutch doors go by many names and are also known as stable doors, double-hung doors, and half doors. They originated in Europe in the 17th century as a way of keeping barn animals outside while allowing fresh air inside.

Dutch Doors Conclusion

Yes, you can take an existing door and turn it into a Dutch door. This works on standard doors that do not have anything in the middle that would block you from making a horizontal cut like a doorknob or decorative paneling. There are many DIY Dutch door tutorials that are helpful in walking you through this task.
It complements the charcoal tones in the brick and the slate tile foundation. The frame around the door creates a formal look for the entry.