Upgrading the Entry Door

Remodelers trying to help customers find an easy, relatively inexpensive way to improve their home's appearance and increase its worth should think about suggesting a new front door, according to research conducted by NFO WorldGroup and commissioned by Therma-Tru Doors.

One nationwide sample of homeowners looked at an image of a home with a painted six-panel door and clear glass side-lites. They estimated the home's value at $189,300.

A second such group saw a picture of the same home, this time with a stained door with decorative glass doorlites and sidelites. They valued the home at $197,020 -- an increase of $7,720 for a door costing about $1,400.

Other results released this year show an even larger increase in more expensive homes with a higher-end door.