Your Preferred Showroom

  • Pella Windows & Doors of Gaithersburg202 Perry Parkway Suite 6Gaithersburg, MD 20877Showroom Details

Other Showrooms Near You

South Carolina Front Doors

Choose a front door that is the focal point of your porch

A great front porch is a Southern staple. An integral part of popular South Carolina home styles like Plantation style, single style, Craftsman, and coastal style, the front porch not only provides a focus point to a home’s facade, it also provides a warm, welcoming, inviting entrance for visitors and a perfect place to sip sweet tea from a rocking chair. The front porch signifies the southern approach to a relaxed pace of life, a place to escape the hot sun or a summer rainfall, and possibly even a space to enjoy an informal meal.

An essential element of every front porch is the front door. South Carolina front doors vary in style and color, but one common element connects them — their impact on a grand entrance. Whether you choose a modern door with lots of glass and a bright color, or a traditional style and dark wood finish, your front door will set the tone for style on your porch and at your entrance.

Commonly known as: main door, entry door, entrance door, exterior front doors

Schedule a Consultation

/div>

Popular Local Trends & Styles


  • front door with glass windows Front Doors with Windows

    Adding glass to your front door comes with advantages. Glass paneled front doors let in more natural light than solid panel doors and they may also allow you to see visitors arriving before they knock or ring your doorbell. Options for glass are plentiful and include popular options like ½ light, ¾ light, and full light. Add grilles for a unique aesthetic or to change the look or style of your door. If you want added light but prefer a solid panel door, choose to add windows on the sides or above your door. Sidelights and transoms are available in many styles to customize your doorset.

  • Front Door Design - Double Doors Front Door Design

    Front door styles in Columbia, South Carolina vary greatly. Some homeowners choose a single solid glass front door while others choose a solid door with sidelights and a transom. Double front doors, created with two doors that swing open from a center rail, create a wider entrance for welcoming guests while adding a visual anchor within your home’s front exterior. The design you choose could depend on the size of your entrance: a townhouse may require a smaller door whereas a larger residential home could accommodate a larger option.

  • Wooden Front Doors Wood Doors

    Historic homes are common in some neighborhoods of Columbia — like the bungalow, colonial and southern architecture found in neighborhoods like Cottontown and Forest Acres. Wood doors are a classic way to maintain the historic authenticity of these homes while updating the exterior. Traditional style homes in South Carolina include influences from plantation, French Colonial, and Antebellum architecture. Door design elements to maintain this look and match your home’s architectural style include wood panel doors located at the center of the front facade, often leading into a grand entranceway. Some plantation style homes featured double wood doors painted in colors like white or green. Wood grain fiberglass is another option for homeowners who want to maintain the look of a wooden front door but appreciate the durability and lower maintenance requirements of fiberglass.

  • Glass Front Doors with Sidelights or Transoms Black Front Door 

    Black front doors are a modern twist on an entrance. Black is a color that can be both stylish and elegant and is unique in its ability to match almost any exterior color scheme and design style — whether modern or traditional. When set against a light or white exterior, black can create a dramatic contrast. Black front doors look great as a solid panel with minimal detail and clean lines, with intricate inlays and panel designs, or simply with large expanses of glass. It’s a versatile color that complements a variety of styles.

Product Lines

Recommended Customizations1

Sidelights, transoms, and window glass can add style to your front door. Find more customizations here.

Hardware

  • Classic Collection
  • Essential Collection
  • Rustic Collection
  • Multipoint Locking System

Transoms, Sidelights, and Grilles

  • Rectangular Transom
  • Elliptical Transom
  • Arch Head Transom
  • 1/2 Circle Transom
  • Full Light Sidelight
  • 3/4 Light Sidelight
  • 1/2 Light Sidelight
  • Traditional Between-the-Glass Grilles
  • Traditional Fixed Grilles
  • Flush-glazed full light entry door with 4-Lite 3-1/2" Flat Simulated-Divided-Light Grilles

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

Columbia Climate Recommendations


Columbia has a mild, subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer precipitation can be heavy at times and South Carolina also experiences the occasional hurricane.

Low-E Protection

Low-E Protection

Keep warm in the winter by helping to reduce the heat loss from your home. Window panes of glass with Low-E glass can help keep your home insulated, blocking out the cold and keeping the heat in.

Between-the-Glass Shades or Blinds

Between-the-Glass Blinds or Shades

Filter incoming sunlight to your comfort level with blinds that are tucked between panes of glass.

Extreme Weather

Extreme Weather

Low country and coastal regions that experience hurricanes and tropical storms may wish to consider impact glass.

Why Choose Pella?


Customized with You in Mind

Pella windows and doors are made specifically for your home because one size doesn't fit all. With access to many materials, colors and options, including exclusive snap-in options for shades, blinds and grilles, along with smart home products and a proprietary finishing process that helps provide a quality finish.

Built to Last

Pella products are backed by some of the strongest window, door and installation warranties in the business. When installed by a Pella branch, your project is backed by our Pella Care Guarantee, our package of product warranties, installation warranty and service agreement that covers your products and their installation — including labor — for up to 10 years. See the written limited warranty for details, including exceptions and limitations, or contact Pella Customer Service at 877-473-5527.

We Come to You

An in-home consultation can help you explore all options and get a professional opinion on what will work best for you. During the consultation, local window professionals can come to your home to assess your window replacement needs and understand your priorities and budget.

Find a Pella Showroom


Explore Your Options with an Expert

A Pella Windows and Doors of Columbia expert can help you pick out a window that fits your home - and your style. Find your local Pella representative to schedule a free in-home consultation, measurement, and estimate.

Search by Location

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?
  •   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?
  •   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:

  •   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?

Front Entry Door Projects


Find front door inspiration with these real-world projects showcasing beautiful front entry doors.

Related Posts


Get information on recent trends, popular looks, and more with these articles from Pella.

  • Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina