San Diego Front Doors

Popular Local Trends & Styles

• Entry Doors with Glass and Sidelights

  Glass front doors use full light, ¾ light, and other geometrical window shapes to incorporate glass within the door panel. You can also bring in light with glass surrounding your exterior door. Modern and contemporary styles emphasize light, so adding a transom window above your front door or sidelights next to the door creates the look of a wall of glass. A full-glass front entrance gives you maximum sunlight and increased curb appeal.

• Modern and Contemporary Style

  San Diego houses have a variety of architectural influences but modern, mid-century modern, and contemporary are the predominant styles. They’re also the preferred styles for interior decorating. Modern entry doors have clean lines, smooth surfaces, and glass to let in lots of light. Mid-century modern front doors are similar but use glass in geometric shapes and long, horizontal rectangles. Like modern doors, contemporary front doors are sleek and minimalist but may have round or curved elements.

• Double Front Doors

  Double entry doors have twice the visual impact. The wider entrance adds a bold design element to the front of your home. Modern full light double doors flood your front entryway with natural light and create a stylish, welcoming impression for your guests. Contemporary glass options add a sleek, modern look, while obscure glass provides more privacy.

• Screen Doors¹ 

  Screen doors are sought just as much at the front entrance as on the back patio. Front screen doors allow for additional ventilation and enjoyment of San Diego’s beautiful weather. Storm doors are another popular option because they help protect your front door from salty sea air, heat, and sun while providing practical flexibility. You can get storm doors with both glass and screen¹ panels that you can change with the seasons or an adjustable screen for a more convenient way to open your home to an ocean breeze.

¹Warning: 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 Customizations²

Design trends in San Diego are as eclectic as the neighborhoods. Chrome, satin nickel, brushed nickel, brass, and gold are contemporary favorites for hardware. And homeowners are using a mix of their favorites to create more complex, layered looks. Entry doors with glass, sidelights, and transom windows enhance the modern aesthetic.

¹Not all customizations are available in all Pella product lines.

San Diego Climate Recommendations

San Diego’s year-round beautiful weather is classified as a Mediterranean climate, which is common in coastal cities. Summers are dry, warm, and sunny. Winters are wetter and cooler, but precipitation and temperature don’t vary as much as in other locations. Materials and finishes that can hold up to the salty air and dry Santa Ana winds can help preserve the appearance and performance of your entry door. Energy efficient glass is recommended for front doors with glass to help keep your home comfortable on all the sunny days.

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.