Winter:Holiday Door Decor Ideas for Wide Variety of Styles
Turn to the Great Outdoors for Inspiration When Dressing Up a Home’s Exterior Doors for the Holidays

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. July 09, 2007 — When it comes to holiday door decor, ’tis the season to go all natural.

Far beyond the basic wreath, simple touches of the outdoors can complement any architectural style and celebrate regional traditions.

JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, reminds homeowners to inspect their door to make sure it is in good working order before they hang decor.

“A home’s entrance sets the tone for the holidays more than any other time of year,” said Kevin Pine, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “Before they begin decorating, homeowners should inspect the door to make sure it is in good working order before the chilly winter months. Just a few quick touch-ups can add years of life to a door.”

“For example, if there’s a cold draft, replace the weatherstrip,” said Pine. “If the surface is chipped, dull or whitish, retouch it with the manufacturer’s recommended finish. If it’s dirty, clean the door with a gentle solution; avoid harsh or abrasive materials.”

Once a door has had proper maintenance, look beyond decorations found at the local craft store for inspiration in decorating it. For example, natural materials found in the kitchen and backyard, such as dried fruits, wild grasses and leaves, can transform any home’s seasonal decor.

Proportion is key. JELD-WEN suggests homeowners consider how the decor will work with the door’s dimensions, shape, color and architectural style.

Whether decorating a traditional East Coast home, a beachfront bungalow or a Southwestern ranch, natural elements that grow locally can highlight a home’s entrance.

Door Decor: Traditional Style for Colonial or Georgian Homes

Regional style: Colonial or Georgian style homes popular in the Northeast, South and Midwest generally have front doors with a traditional look and feel.

Regional elements to consider: This wreath uses magnolia leaves, a common tree with many varieties adapted to different climates, and wide, gold ribbon. By using flowers or leaves native to the region, homeowners may be able to use fresh materials rather than plastic or silk alternatives.

Why the decor works with this door: In keeping with the traditional theme of the home, this classic round wreath complements the radius top as well as the rich tones of the stain on this fiberglass door. Placement is also important. Keeping the wreath in the top third of the door catches people’s attention and draws the eye up.

Door style: JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass Exterior Door (A110), four panel with radius top.

Door Decor: Old World Elegance: Southwestern Style

Regional style: The rustic speakeasy and detailed fixtures of this door can often be found on Old World or Mediterranean style homes of Florida or the Southwest, especially on homes finished with stucco.

Regional elements to consider: Made of madrona leaves and twigs, this long garland adds a festive feel to this home. Additionally, the walkway has been decorated with modern luminaries made of large hollow balls fashioned from twigs with battery-powered flameless candles to light the way. The garland has also been decorated with wicker candleholders placed throughout the madrona.

Why the decor works with this door: While a traditional wreath would not work well with the speakeasy grille, this garland shows off a creative solution and highlights the radius top of this door. Placement is also a key factor in this door. Because this door has so much detail, using decor that is set above the door lets both elements stand out for an elegant entrance into the home.

Door style: JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass Exterior Door (A1322), Old World style with speakeasy and clavos.

Door Decor for the Coast

Regional style: Coastal homeowners often choose doors with glass to maintain views and create an indoor-outdoor feeling. This JELD-WEN® patio door looks like wood, but is actually made of fiberglass designed to stand up to coastal elements such as moisture and sun.
 
Regional elements to consider: For coastal holiday flavor, consider seashells and other ocean treasures found locally. The wreaths on this beach cottage patio door incorporate favorite finds from beachcombing trips and use a simple Spanish moss base to mimic a seaweed bed and highlight natural coastal style.
 
Why the decor works with these doors: These simple wreaths add a whimsical touch, but don’t overwhelm the natural light and airiness of the door. Proportions should also be kept in mind. Because this door has two wreaths, they should be kept to a smaller size so they will not overpower the door. The dark moss plays well with the dark tones of woodgrain stain and the ribbons pick up the interior color scheme, which can be seen through the door, adding to the indoor-outdoor feel. The round wreaths against the door’s square glass panes provides some contrast while the overall look is simple and clean.
 
Door style:  JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass Exterior Patio Doors (A5015).

Door Decor: Craftsman Style Door Decor for the Mid and Northwest

Regional style: Craftsman-style doors are a popular choice in the Northwest and usually have geometric lines or a shelf that can be incorporated into the decor design. This door has been customized as a Dutch door.

Regional elements to consider: This garland uses elements found in abundance in the backyards of many Northwestern homes, including pinecones and fir tree branches. Other components to consider are dried fruits that grow naturally in the area, such as grapes or apples.

Why the decor works with this door: Craftsman doors may seem tricky to decorate if they have shelving, but taking advantage of that feature and incorporating it into the decor is what makes this garland work. Additionally, the garland underscores the decorative glass and allows both sections of the Dutch door to swing freely.

Door style: JELD-WEN® Custom Wood Dutch Door (383), Craftsman style with optional shelf.

Holiday Door Decor for Different Regions and Styles

Proportion Is Key: Consider the door’s height, width, shape, color and design before planning the decor.

Go Natural: simple touches of the outdoors can complement any architectural style and celebrate regional traditions, as the next pages will show.

• Before you begin, JELD-WEN offers simple steps to help front doors look their best for holiday guests.
  Gentle cleaning: Just like windows, doors can often use a good wash. JELD-WEN recommends using gentle materials such as mixing one teaspoon of baby shampoo to one gallon of water. Dry thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use abrasive tools, harsh liquids, power washers or hoses that can damage doors and windows.
• Inspect weatherproofing measures: Carefully look at the frame, seals and weatherstrip to make sure the door won’t allow cold air into the home during the winter months.
• Inspect door surfaces: For painted or stained doors, inspect the finish on all six sides for any signs that restoration is needed, such as cracks, dulling or a whitish cast on the door’s surface. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended finishing instructions when retouching.
  

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the JELD-WEN Tradition. Since 1998, JELD-WEN has been an ENERGY STAR® Partner with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eleven JELD-WEN® product lines and all windows and doors constructed with AuraLast® wood have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. JELD-WEN® windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications.  In 2005, JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass exterior doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating.

Please visit http://www.jeld-wen.com/seasonal for more information on how to pick the decor that works best with your door.

For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.