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What Are the Pros and Cons of the Top Toronto Door Styles?traditional wood front door

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Published On: Mar 25, 2021

What Are The Pros And Cons Of The Top Toronto Door Styles? - Burano Doors

Many homeowners see their property as an extension of themselves. They like to infuse every inch of it with personal charm and style. One of the most important aspects of a home is the type of doors it has. Being large elements of the home, chosen door styles can impact the overall aesthetic of the home greatly. While the front door undoubtedly catches the most attention, interior doors, patio doors, and storm doors can make just as much of a statement.

In this article, we will cover the top door styles available for you. We will also go over their pros and cons so you can make the best decision for your home.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top door styles in Toronto and the pros and cons of each of them.

The Cons Of Wooden Doors - Burano Doors

A Quick Note About the Cons Wooden Doors

Wood is one of the most common materials used for constructing doors. Nearly all door styles are available in wood.
Regardless of the door’s style, if a door is made of wood, it automatically has the following cons:

They require plenty of upkeep and maintenance to ensure that they stay looking their absolute best. (This includes resealing the door at least once every few years and reapplying stain and paint as needed.)
Wooden doors also tend to sag over time. This is a consequence of their material, and there’s not much you can do to prevent this entirely.

Wooden doors can last for many, many years with the right maintenance. However, metal doors, fibreglass doors, and vinyl doors require less maintenance than wooden doors. They are also able to keep their shape, without sagging, for longer.

Front Door Styles

Traditional Doors or Classic-Style Doors

The traditional wood front door is a timeless design that works in just about any home. And while some might think of the word “traditional” and equate it to “boring”, the truth is that wood doors can be beautifully customized.

Traditional or classic-style doors typically feature a number of raised panels. The number and configuration of these panels can vary depending on the design. Most traditional doors are made of wood; oftentimes, you can have these carved and ornamented to suit your specific tastes. Aside from wooden options, you will also find fibreglass and metal options in the market.

It’s common for traditional doors to have glass inserts/panels to allow for light to shine through. The glass can take up as much as half or more of the door and can take on various shapes. Additionally, many traditional front doors are also built with sidelights, vertical windows on one or both sides of the door. The numerous glass components associated with traditional doors are something that some homeowners deem as security weaknesses.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Traditional Doors
These door styles have a classy and elegant look These doors can be ornately carved if made of wood They can have glass inserts that allow for natural light to flow through	Glass inserts, which are common in many traditional doors, are seen by some as a weakness in security Wood is a common material used for these doors. (See the cons of wooden doors.)

Craftsman Doors

Craftsman doors are popular choices for many homes – especially cottages and bungalows. This door style looks sharp and simple with distinct understated beauty.

These kinds of doors are characterized by straight vertical panels and glass inserts on the upper third portion of the door. The glass inserts/panels are separated from the lower part of the door by a prominent trim or moulding. The glass inserts/panels on craftsman doors are often narrow and far from the lock itself, making it less of a security issue.

Commonly, craftsman doors are made of wood. However, there are also fibreglass options in the market.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Craftsman Doors
The doors give a simple and nostalgic vibe These doors have glass inserts that allow for natural light to flow through but are typically too small to be seen as a weakness in security	The look of the door is generally not considered a good match for more elegant/sophisticated home designs Wood is a common material used for these doors. (See the cons of wooden doors.)

Modern or Contemporary Doors

Contemporary style doors differ from traditional doors and craftsman doors in a few different ways. The lines of contemporary doors tend to be a bit sleeker and more minimalistic. And when compared side-by-side with craftsman doors, one key difference is that modern doors tend to use horizontal lines or panels as opposed to the vertical ones found in craftsman doors.

Modern doors can also have glass inserts. However, unlike the previous two door styles, these are usually arranged horizontally as rectangles or as squares that go through the length of the door which is great for letting in sunlight. However, larger glass panels present in some contemporary door designs can be seen as a weakness in security – especially if they are located close to the lock itself.

Contemporary doors are available in wood, metal, fibreglass, and vinyl.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Modern or Contemporary Doors
These doors can make a home look brand new. These doors have glass inserts that allow for natural light to flow through	Large glass inserts can be a weakness in security – especially if it’s located near the lock If made of wood, these doors will have the cons of wooden doors.

Dutch Doors

Nothing balances innovation and old-world charm quite like dutch doors. When closed, these doors may look just like ordinary doors. However, these doors are actually split horizontally at the middle so that the top half can open while the lower half remains closed. It’s typical for square panels to be arranged on the top half and these let in extra sunlight.

This kind of door is perfect for people who have toddlers or pets that need to be kept from wandering outside. They also suit those who want added security. In the event that an unexpected visitor arrives, you can opt to open only the top half to first make sure everything is okay before opening the entire door.

One downside, however, is these doors tend to cost more than other single-panel door counterparts. They also require additional hardware to function. It is also a common incident to have pinched fingers when closing this kind of door while mentally preoccupied with something else.

Commonly, dutch doors are available in vinyl or wood.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Dutch Doors
These doors are innovative while still having an old-world feel. These doors help keep pets and toddlers from wandering outside. These doors have glass inserts that allow for natural light to flow through	These doors need added hardware to work and are generally more expensive. If made of wood, these doors will have the cons of wooden doors.

Interior Door Styles

Shaker Doors

Shaker doors are best known for their minimalism and are dynamic in design. These are commonly chosen for interior doors and for cabinets. They have a simple construction that features a central panel and a raised rectangular frame around it. These doors tend to be cost-effective and are available in materials like wood, fibreglass, or vinyl.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Shaker Doors
These doors are simple and dynamic in design These doors tend to be cost-effective.	Some may see the design as too simple If made of wood, these doors will have the cons of wooden doors.

Pocket Doors

Pocket doors are sliding doors that disappear into the walls when fully open. This means the railing needs to be installed within the wall itself. This makes them a wonderful choice for saving space.

However, the pocket door is not the easiest and most reliable door to use. More traditional doors open easily using a handle and some inertia, but pocket doors are prone to sticking in their tracks or popping off of them every now and then. Pocket doors in Toronto don’t always close as tightly as other styles.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Pocket Doors
These doors have a contemporary look and function These doors are perfect for saving space.	These doors do not shut as firmly as other doors Installing these doors on existing walls can be complicated. These doors can get stuck on their tracks If made of wood, these doors will have the cons of wooden doors.

Sliding Barn Doors

Barn doors slide on a track that is outside of a wall (as opposed to disappearing into the wall the way that pocket doors do.) As such, they are excellent for interiors with limited space.

This popular interior door style is also an eye-catching one that truly makes a statement. In fact, the past decade has seen an increasing love for this kind of door, and they’ve found their way in homes of just about every design.

The main issue with sliding barn doors is that they don’t actually close. Instead, they simply glide in place over an opening and hang stationary. This leaves the room open to the sounds of the rest of the house and vice versa. It’s not the best choice for rowdy families

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Barn Doors
These doors have a contemporary look and function. These doors are perfect for saving space. Installing these doors on an existing wall is fairly easy These doors tend to cost less than pocket doors	These doors do not shut as firmly as other doors If made of wood, these doors will have the cons of wooden doors.

A barn door

Garden/Patio Door Styles

Gliding Patio Glass Doors

These doors are designed to glide horizontally along a rail wherein one panel is stationary and another one moves. Because of this design, they save space and give a clear view of the outside. With a special type of glass, these can also help insulate the home while still allowing plenty of sunlight to pass through. However, because they are made entirely of glass, they can pose a security risk.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Gliding Patio Glass Doors
These doors have a contemporary look. These doors allow you to have a good view These doors allow for plenty of sunlight	Only half of the door opening really opens With substandard glass, insulation and solar radiation can be a problem Because the whole door is made of glass, some see it as a security risk

French Swing Doors

French swing doors have always had a certain following, but they’ve truly come back into style over the past decade or two. Today, it’s not unusual to find a set in homes of any size. These versatile doors can typically open either way, be that inward or outward, as needed. They also create an elegant picture, with the glass panels and beautiful wood framing making quite the statement.

Because of their diversity, French doors require a bit more space than traditional doors in Toronto. You might find yourself struggling to keep the space around them clear enough to fully open the doors. And as with all doors that have glass parts, this can be a security risk.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
French Doors
These doors have a classic look The doors fully open These doors allow for sunlight to pass through	Parts of the door will obstruct the view outside With substandard glass for the panels, insulation and solar radiation can be a problem The glass parts near the lock can be seen as a security risk The doors need space to open fully

Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are typically made of glass when used as patio doors. These types of doors open by folding it back in sections or panels, a bit like an accordion. They give a modern and dynamic touch to any home and they also save space. To top it all off, they give a clear view while also having the ability to fully open up. However, being made of mostly glass gives a disadvantage security-wise. Another downside is that these doors are not very easy to close behind you if you need to go outside for a quick while.

Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Bifold Doors
These doors have a contemporary look. These doors allow you to have a good view These doors allow for plenty of sunlight The door can fully open when needed	The doors aren’t as easy to shut behind you With substandard glass, insulation and solar radiation can be a problem Because the whole door is made of glass, some see it as a security risk

Bifold doors

Storm Door Styles

Full View Storm Doors

As the name suggests, these doors have a full glass design. They let in plenty of light and allow you to showcase your front door the most among other storm door options. With the storm door closed, you can also have a good view of the outside from within your home. The downside of this storm door, however, is that it’s less secure and durable than the other types because of its mostly glass construction.

Mid View Storm Doors

Mid view storm doors feature a glass panel that is typically ¾ of the entire door. In every aspect (security, durability, view, and sunlight), mid view storm doors are in the middle of the two other kinds.

High View Storm Doors

High view storm doors have a glass panel that’s about ½ of the door length. As such they have the most durability and security among the three. They also, however, show obstruct the view the most and allow for the least amount of sunlight among the three.

Type of Storm Door	Summary of Pros	Summary of Cons
Full View Storm Doors	The most amount of sunlight The best view from inside the home Showcases the front door even when closed	The least amount of security The least amount of durability
Mid View Storm Doors	Still allows plenty of sunlight Still gives a good view Is able to showcase a good portion of the front door Gives mid-way durability	Still a security risk because ¾ of the door is glass
High View Storm Doors	The most amount of security The most amount of durability	The least amount of sunlight Obstructs the view the most Visually obstructs the front door the most

Full view storm door

Durable and Stylish Doors for All Your Needs

Burano Doors is a leading manufacturer and seller of stylish and durable doors and windows in Toronto. We specialize in designing exterior doors, interior doors, patio doors, garden doors, and storm doors that fit the needs of a modern home. We have various door styles that you can choose from – all with enhanced energy-saving features.

We also offer customization options to make sure that your doors truly fit your aesthetic preferences. To top it all off, because we manufacture our own products, we can offer them to you for the best price.

If you want to learn more or have questions for us, please feel free to reach out. Contact us today for a FREE estimate!