What It Means If You Come Across A Home With Two Front Doors

The perfect front door can make any house stand out and appear more attractive. Meanwhile, homes with unusual and quirky front door designs will seem memorable and unique to visitors, neighbors, and passersby. For instance, a home with two front doors will likely turn heads. If you're wondering what such a seemingly unconventional feature means, you should know that there isn't just one definite explanation for the look.

Some reasons behind having two front doors include helping the home appear more symmetrical, providing one fancy door and one more casual for a balanced aesthetic, or the house's original owners not having enough money for windows. Plus, two front doors are typically a sign that a house is old, as you won't find that design in more modern homes. 

Also, some people whose houses have two front doors follow a tradition of having one door for casual use and the other for special occasions. "They used to use one door for every day and the other for guests and visitors," Joe Tillman, who owns a house with this feature, told The Baltimore Sun. So, if you have two front doors on your house's exterior, consider using one as the primary and making guests feel special by only using the second door when they come over.

You should think twice before you jump to getting rid of that second door. Some homeowners choose to keep both doors, staying in touch with that old-fashioned detail. While it's a good idea to update old paint and outdated decor, the second door can add a unique charm to your home, possibly even acting as a conversation starter.

However, if you've decided that you don't like having two front doors, you have options. To remove a door, expect to spend a couple hundred dollars. On average, it could cost anywhere from $70 to $300. Of course, that leaves you with a hole in your wall. Blocking up the doorway can cost between $250 and upwards of $650. That rate will vary depending on the size of your door and the construction materials needed. Also, carefully review the permit requirements for your area, as this job likely requires a permit. Another option is to turn the door into a window, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. 

Don't overthink which door to keep and which to remove and block up or turn into a window. It's typically best to keep the door you use most, whether it's easier to access or lets you into a more convenient part of your home. Or, you may want to just keep the door that you think looks more aesthetically pleasing.

Anyone who likes the look of houses with two front doors and wants to take inspiration from it in a more updated way should explore double-entry front doors, as they have the two-door look but side-by-side in a more sleek and contemporary way. If you want to put in a new front door and are intrigued by the double-entry style, there are many different options to consider. You're sure to find one that fits the style of your home.

For instance, check out MMI Door's classic steel pre-hung front door, available for $1,548 at Home Depot and rated with 4.3 out of 5 stars. Another choice is the Greatview Doors' pre-hung door made of knotty alder, selling for $2,698 at Lowe's with 4 out of 5 stars. So, while no one should confuse today's double-entry front doors with the old-fashioned design featuring two separate front doors, the double-entry style is a convenient alternative for fans of the look.