Connecticut Front Doors

Popular Local Trends & Styles

• Sidelights and Transom Windows

  Colonial-style homes commonly have solid 4- or 6-panel doors. For this reason, transom windows are a popular choice, especially in center-hall Colonials, as the addition of a window above the door allows light to filter into the entryway. A window on one or both sides of a front door, a sidelight, is another popular choice for letting in light to Connecticut homes.

• Victorian-Style Front Doors

  There are a number of Queen-Anne style homes around Connecticut, from New Haven to New Hartford. This style of home is characterized by sculptural elements and ornamental details, and front doors were no exception. Victorian front doors frequently have ornate carvings and a single pane of glass in the upper portion of the door. Pella offers a variety of front door styles with glass, including the 3-Panel Scroll Top Oval Entry Door, that would fit this style of home.

• Wood-look Entry Doors

  Wood-look front doors are common among Colonial-style homes and remain a popular choice for many homeowners. Get the look of a solid wood door for your Connecticut home with less maintenance by choosing one of Pella’s fiberglass entry doors in a warm wood-look finish.

• Storm Doors 

  Protect your entrance door with a storm door¹. In a state like Connecticut, where temperatures vary by season and bring all different kinds of precipitation, a storm door acts as a barrier against the elements. Storm doors typically contain glass or screen¹ panels that are interchangeable or retractable, allowing for increased ventilation during warm weather.  

¹ Warning: Use caution when children or pets are around open windows and doors. Screens are not designed to retain children or pets.

Product Lines

• Pella® Entry Doors

Recommended Customizations³

Add authenticity and personality to your home with custom hardware selections and grille patterns that fit your home’s history and architecture. For classic Colonial-style homes, consider customizations like transom windows or traditional grille patterns on entry door windows. Find more customizations here.

³Not all customizations are available in all Pella product lines.

Connecticut Climate Recommendations

Much of Connecticut has a humid continental climate, however, thanks to the proximity to the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal areas in the south tend to have milder winters. Connecticut experiences cold winters and warm humid summers with precipitation year-round. That means your front door is exposed to rain, snow, and humidity.

Why Choose Pella?

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Frequently Asked Questions

•   What factory-prefinished stain and paint colors are available on Pella products?

  • Wood Windows and Patio Doors – Wood interiors offer more design flexibility — windows and patio doors can be stained or painted to match your decor.  Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's wood products.

    As part of Pella Corporation’s commitment to environmentally-friendly practices, we use Water-Based Green Chemistry. Our factory-applied stain is water-based, which significantly decreases the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the air.

    Fiberglass Windows and Patio Doors – Available in colors offering the quality look of painted wood — including a dual-color option. Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's fiberglass products.

    Vinyl Windows and Patio Doors – Pella's unique vinyl formula is performance-tested for excellent weathering, durability, and color retention. Solid- and Dual-Color frames are available. Explore the interior and exterior finish options available for Pella's vinyl products.

    Fiberglass and Steel Entry Doors – You'll save time and finishing costs when your entry door arrives prefinished in your choice of paint or stain color that will look beautiful for years. Explore interior and exterior finish options for Pella's fiberglass and steel entry doors.

•   How do I choose the right paint or stain for my wood windows?

  • Stained Wood Interior Finish – Pella strongly recommends the use of a good-quality pre-stain wood conditioner before staining Pella windows and patio doors to reduce the possibility of a blotchy-looking, uneven finish. Ask your paint or finishing professional to recommend a pre-stain wood conditioner, a stain and a finishing coat that are compatible.
    
    Painted Wood Interior Finish – The most important consideration to make when choosing your paint is good blocking resistance — the ability of a paint to resist sticking. Failure to use a high-quality paint with good blocking resistance may result in a window or door that sticks shut, even after the paint has dried. Ask your qualified paint professional to recommend a paint with good blocking resistance. Don't simply rely on a paint's price or brand name in making your selection. Expensive paint may not necessarily offer good blocking resistance. Also, ask your paint professional to recommend a wood primer and paint that are compatible and whether sanding is required between coats of paint.

    Explore the factory pre-finish options available for Pella's wood products.

•   Which Pella doors are available with SmartKey® Technology?

  • SmartKey Technology is available, and comes standard, on Pella's fiberglass and steel entry doors.  Architect Series® sliding, French and hinged patio doors with hardware from the Rustic, Classic or Modern Collection will have SmartKey Technology.

    Learn more about Pella's hardware collections and how to use SmartKey Technology.

•   Where can I get paint or stain to match the interior and exterior of my Pella products?

  • Paints and stains for Pella products are available in quarts and gallons via special order through Lowe's stores or your local Pella Window and Door Showroom. You will need to provide the color of the paint or stain that you need to place an order.

    Or you may take the color or stain desired along with the substrate you are trying to match to your local Sherwin-Williams® or home improvement store and have them custom match the color.

    If you don't have a Pella paint chip or just need a small bottle of touch up paint or stain for dings and scratches, submit a request to Pella Corporation's customer support team or call (877) 473-5527 for further assistance.

    Be sure to consult with your local paint or finish store representative or professional to help address your specific finishing needs and review the finishing section of your Pella Owner's Manual for details about how to properly finish your Pella products.

•   How do I clean and restore shine to the handles and hardware on my windows and doors?

  • A soft cloth and mild cleaner may be used on most Pella hardware finishes. 

    Living finish Oil-Rubbed Bronze hardware will develop its own unique patina with use, care and handling. Simply wipe the hardware with a soft cloth so as not to damage the finish. The changing of color on the hardware is not a warranty issue.

    The solid brass hardware used on some previous vintages of Pella wood hinged (French) patio doors has a clear protective coating to prevent tarnishing. Download instructions to care for solid brass hardware.

    For additional information about how to properly care for your Pella windows and doors, refer to the Cleaning section of the Pella Window and Patio Door Owner's Manual.  

    For further assistance, submit a request to Pella Corporation's customer support team or call (877)-473-5527.

•   How much does an entry door cost?

  • The cost of an entry door depends on the type of material, size of the door, level of detail and number of performance features. Learn how these factors affect the price of a door.

•   What glass options are available on Pella entry doors?

  • Pella offers a variety of unique glass types and distinctive caming to deliver the style, privacy and light you're looking for. Find the glass collections for your Pella product:

    • Fiberglass and steel entry doors
    • Storm doors
•   Do I need to finish my Pella entry door?

  • If your fiberglass or steel entry door from Pella was delivered without an interior or exterior finish (paint or stain), you must finish it within 30 days to protect your investment.

    If your wood entry door from Pella was delivered without an interior or exterior finish (paint or stain), you must finish it within 14 days to protect your investment. 

    The Pella warranty does not cover issues associated with failure to properly finish in a timely manner. Get complete details on your warranty, including exceptions and limitations.

    NOTES:  

    • For a professional-looking painted finish, it's important to use a quality brush or spray technique. Contact your local paint professional for recommendations.
    • Installation of a steel entry door within five miles of a seacoast is not recommended due to the risk of corrosion, and it will void Pella's steel entry door warranty.

    Be sure to consult with your local paint or finish store representative or professional to help address your specific finishing needs and review the Finishing section of the Pella Entry Door Owner's Manual for details about how to properly finish your Pella entry door.

•   What do I need to know about finishing or refinishing my entry door?

  • Before finishing your entry door system, you must know whether your entry door panel and sidelights are fiberglass or steel. If you're unsure if your entry door is made of fiberglass or steel, place a magnet on your door — if it sticks, it's most likely steel.

    Your Pella packaging and sales invoice should also indicate the door type. Check with your Pella representative for specific information on your product. Visit the Pella Help Library for finishing tips.

•   How do I stain my fiberglass entry door?

  • If you desire a stained wood appearance on your wood-grain fiberglass door panels, sidelights, and glass frames, apply gel stain and clear finish according to the manufacturer's directions. For best results, always apply stain in the direction of the grain. Be sure to finish door edges.

    Visit the Pella Help Library for staining tips.

•   How do I paint my fiberglass entry door?

  • If you're going to paint your entry door panel, be sure to ask a qualified paint or finishing professional to recommend a paint with good blocking resistance. Don't rely on a paint's price or brand name in making your selection — an expensive paint may not necessarily offer good blocking resistance. Failure to use a high-quality paint with good blocking resistance may result in a door that sticks shut even after the paint has dried.

    Once you have the right paint, promptly paint all exterior surfaces, including door panel edges, with two coats of quality exterior paint with good blocking resistance. Then paint all interior surfaces with two coats of quality interior paint with good block resistance.

    NOTE: Applying thick layers of paint may hide the texture of the door panel.

    1. Stir paint well.
    2. Wet only the tip of the brush, and apply one thin coat. Brush in the direction of the grain.
    3. Apply paint to various door components first, such as the door edges, brickmould, jambs, mullions, glazing frames and wood frames. Then paint the panel.
    4. Clean brush.
    5. Wait at least six hours between each coat application of the paint. Finish must be completely dry before applying the next coat. Do not sand between coats.
    6. Repeat Steps 1–4 for each additional coat applied.

    NOTE: A primer may be necessary to get proper adhesion. Contact your local paint supplier to determine if a primer is necessary with the selected paint.

    CAUTION: Finish all exposed door panel edges, including the top edge. This helps reduce the chance of warping. After finishing the entry door system, allow the door to dry completely, in accordance with the paint manufacturer’s directions, before closing it.

    Be sure to consult with your local paint or finish store representative or professional to help address your specific finishing needs and review the Finishing section of the Pella Entry Door Owner's Manual for details about how to properly finish your Pella entry door. 

    Get complete warranty details for your entry door, including exceptions and limitations.

•   Does Pella sell fire-rated entry doors? How can I tell if I have a fire-rated entry door from Pella?

  • Yes, Pella sells fire-rated entry doors and will have two foil stickers indicating that they are fire-rated. The first is a silver sticker located on the frame or jamb; the second is a black sticker noting that is it a 20-minute rated panel.

•   How long is the factory prefinish warranty on entry doors?

  • The factory prefinish coverage is two years for fiberglass and steel entry doors and one year for wood entry doors. Get complete details about your entry door warranty, including exceptions and limitations.