It may be nicknamed the "City of the Violet Crown," but Austin is really one of the most culture-rich cities the world has ever known. It's a live music capital, with music venues galore, and Austin occupies that unique middle-ground between being a party city and the ideal place for study. You can spend the day at Austin Central Library or Lake Travis, only to spend the evening drinking and dancing with friends.
It's a historic city, and that only means one thing - historic homes to match. So many of the homes in Austin have withstood damaging winds and the heat from dry deserts surrounding the city for decades. And you may call one of those homes your home.
You want to give that home the sense of grandeur it deserves. And with iron doors from PINKYS, you get assistance in doing that with door designs that perfectly blend the modern and the traditional to make them perfect for your house.
What Makes Iron Doors so Special?
We love iron doors at PINKYS. It's why our business revolves around them, and we're always looking for new ways to make iron an inspirational addition to your home. But if you're one of those Texas residents who aren't quite sure if you want to spring for a new iron door, we're happy to spend more time convincing you that iron is the right choice.
Get the Strength of Iron for Unrivaled Protection
There's one big reason why iron has been the material of choice for so many services over the years - it's strong. Super strong. Iron is so tough that we've seen it used in everything from weaponry to architecture, and that strength transfers over to all of the styles of doors that PINKYS creates.
That strength extends to the door hardware once installed. Your wrought iron door from PINKYS can include a lock and knobset, designed by us to fit the door perfectly so it only gives access to people who have the right keys. Hinges, door jambs, and even the glass built into our iron doors combine to create robust protection and a strong seal between your home and the outside world.
Keep Out Heavy Rain and Desert Dust
Austin has a slightly weird climate. The city's weather can turn on a dime, being humid and hot one day and so dry that it feels like you're stuck in a desert the next. The city's location between the deserts of the Southwest and the humid regions in the Southeast is responsible for this confluence of climate, and it means your door faces two major weather challenges - heavy rains and dry desert dust.
May, June, and October are usually the wettest months in the city, and you need a door that can withstand the wetness without the need for repairs. Wrought iron is the solution. That is, as long as the iron door is treated properly so that it's ready to deflect the rain without rusting over time.
Desert dust is a trickier problem, especially when paint is involved on a door. The constant scraping of tiny particles can do a number on paint jobs, leaving them looking worn and "literally" weathered. But with iron, you don't have to worry about the effects of dust in the air bringing your door to the edge of destruction.
A Custom Look for Your Home's Entry Point
When you're living in a cultural hotbed like Austin, it's so difficult to bring a touch of uniqueness to your home. Everything around you is bigger and more interesting, with even local businesses setting up shop in buildings that have their own touch of flair. You need something customized. Something that matches your taste and showcases your home as a site to behold.
An iron door installation achieves that through a simple process - customization.
Take PINKYS doors as an example. Yes, we offer several pre-made iron doors, though customized based on the size of your doorway and the paint job you want. But if you're looking for a door that is truly unique, that speaks to you, and makes your house the most eye-catching on your street, our team is ready to work on custom iron door designs alongside you.
More Insulation to Keep Cold Weather at Bay
Iron isn't a natural insulator. In fact, it's the opposite - iron is a conductor that quickly absorbs heat and sends it in the direction of the coldest air. That's a problem no matter the weather. When it's hot outside, iron can heat up and send warm air into your home even when you have the AC on full blast. And when the mercury dips outside, the heat in your home uses the iron in your door as a bridge to the outside world.
At least, that's what happens without the two special solutions PINKYS came up with for the conducting conundrum - low-emissivity (Low-E) glass and thermal breaking.
With thermal breaking, we create specialized door frames that incorporate a thermal "gap." This gap is a continuous barrier, preventing heat from transferring from one part of the frame to the next and, ultimately, into the outside world. Combine that with the use of Low-E glass, which is thicker and a better insulator than standard glass, and you have a recipe for temperature regulation in your home with iron doors.
Increase Curb Appeal and Bump Up Property Prices
First impressions are everything when somebody arrives in town to view your home. A huge 76% of people say that's the case, and they're looking for your home to wow them from the moment they lay eyes on it if they're going to pony up the dough to buy it. You're looking to transfer a little bit of the magic of your home through your front door and straight to the viewer.
A gorgeous iron door can do that, lending your home that perfect balance between traditional and modern that draws the viewer in and makes them want to make an offer to the owner.
While it's the little details that will ultimately sell your house (assuming you're looking to sell), the grandiosity of an iron door gets the sales conversation off on the right foot. What if you're not looking to sell? You trade the first impression made to buyers for an astonishing sight for your own eyes and those of anybody who comes to visit.
Incorporate Glass to Let the Light In
During those gorgeous warm summers in Austin, you want to let Mother Nature do her work in your home. You want light. Every ray that streams across your rooms through your windows opens up the space, allowing you to bask in the glow of the great outdoors even when you're lounging on the couch or playing with your children in your home.
Your idea of a traditional iron door may not leave much room for light. You're probably thinking of a big and bulky thing that dominates a doorway and blocks any light from getting in or out. But that's the old style of door, and there's a lot more diversity in design with modern doors.
PINKYS personifies that diversity. Our modernistic approach to door design combines sleek and solid iron lines that act as borders for big glass panels, allowing light to stream through your front door and into your entryway.
No Extra Staining or Sealing Is Required
Let's say you've gone down the wooden road of door design. The front door looks great - there's no denying that - and the paint job means it matches your aesthetic perfectly. But all is not well with your door. As dust makes contact, the paint gets scrapped away. Every wet day, every harsh summer breeze, it all adds up to wear down the paint, staining, and sealants built into your door.
The result - you have to keep repainting, restaining, and resealing the door.
Now, iron doors aren't completely maintenance-free. They're tough. They'll stand up to the elements longer than a wooden door can. But you'll still (very occasionally) want to repaint the door to keep it looking fresh. But you won't have to worry about staining wood or touching up seals, giving you a door that requires far less care to combat the climate in Austin.
How to Choose Quality Iron Front Entry Doors in Austin
Iron front entry doors have a lot going for them. Resistance to the interesting weather variations seen in the city. A modern look that perfectly contrasts some of the more traditional views you see in Austin, such as the University of Texas campus and its huge buildings. And the ability to create custom doors (with PINKYS help) is the cherry on top.
But you have to find the right iron doors.
And with these tips, you'll find it easier than ever to find a door that wows you.
Start With Your Budget
Let's start with the obvious - iron doors cost money.
They can cost a lot of money if you're looking for super elaborate scrollwork or you're going for the full iron door effect, with more metal meaning more money gets spent. So, you have to confirm you have the budget for the style of door you want, or your search will be in vain. But ironically, you have to start the search to confirm that you have the appropriate budget.
Speak to a few iron door manufacturers. Check their websites first (to get an idea of their prices), and then get in touch to discuss your specific budget and what you can achieve with the money you have. PINKYS is ideal here, as we want to deliver the artistry of our iron front entry doors at a price you can afford. Speak to our customization team, and we'll help you find something that works.
Check for Protection Against Severe Weather
Entry doors are right at the front line of your house. In the battle between the building and the weather, they're going to take a tremendous battering, so you need to ensure they have the appropriate weatherproofing to be up for the job. That starts with something simple - the type of iron used to make the door.
Wrought iron is what you need here. This specific type of iron resists rust well enough that rain won't be an issue, especially if you're vigilant enough to use PINKYS Iron Door Spray on the metal. Taking care of any glass in your iron door is easy, too, as all you need is a clean microfiber cloth and an ammonia-free glass cleaner.
Then - heating and cooling. Austin homeowners often have the AC cranked up to combat the heat outside, and your iron doors need to have appropriate features (thermal breaking, Low-E windows, etc.) to keep your cool air in the house and the hot air outside.
Look for the Little Details That Add Some Style to the Door
It's the little things that matter with your iron front entry doors, at least once you've confirmed that the big things are in place. The frame, the fit, and the overall design are the first things that'll catch your eye, but it's the little things built into the door that will keep you interested in it for years to come.
Take scrollwork, for instance. Not all iron doors have it. Not all iron doors need it. But if you're going for a traditional look, you'll want to see it ahead of the bold geometric lines that are more common in modern door designs.
Of course, modern may be your thing. And in that case, you're looking for clean and crisp lines ahead of intricate scrollwork because those lines create the geometric shapes that personify the modern design ethos. In simple terms - check every inch of the door for fun quirks or little details that may (or may not) suit your personal taste.
Confirm There Are Pre-Drilled Holes for Easy Installation
Drilling holes into an iron door is tough. If you haven't done it before (and your manufacturer doesn't do it for you), you could end up with a frame full of holes that you don't need or that are too big. So, this next point is obvious - look for manufacturers that pre-drill their doors to make installation easier. Specifically, you want to see the following holes:
- Boreholes drilled into the door for your lock and handle set
- These boreholes need to match the set, or you won't be able to fit the lock
- Brackets with pre-drilled holes ready for installation
- Ideally, you'll see these brackets (and their tabs) welded directly onto the door jamb
- Built-in hinges so you can affix the door to your home
You don't have to worry about the holes so much if the manufacturer offers installation. They'll know where the holes need to go and will measure your entryway ahead of time to make sure they get things rights. But if you're going it alone, at least on the installation end, you need pre-drilling to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Make Sure the Door Has a Durable Finish
The finish matters for two reasons - aesthetics and protecting your iron doors against Austin's varying weather.
On the protection side, wrought iron with an epoxy paint finish is often a good choice. You get some rust-proofing, which you can reinforce with the occasional coating of car wax or linseed oil. Buff up the barrier and you get a finish that lasts a long time.
Then, it's all about color and how the finish aligns with the aesthetic you're trying to achieve in your home. PINKYS offers a solid black finish (perfect for the modern look) as standard, but we also offer the following - oil-brushed bronze, pewter, brushed silver, and heavy bronze. Figure out what looks best for your home and seek a finish that's tough and looks the part.
Practicality and Function Are as Important as Aesthetics
Always remember that your iron doors serve practical purposes. They're shields that guard your home from the elements, as well as barriers that keep warm or cool air inside so you can save money on your energy bills. Iron doors need to be tough. So tough that they deter thieves. And they also need to fit the space you have, both to prevent vulnerabilities and to ensure they don't look out of place in your entryway.
The message here is simple - looks matter, but not at the cost of function.
You need iron doors that do it all rather than doors that force you to favor flair over function or vice-versa.
Consider a Sidelight (or Several) to Let More Light in
Sidelights are panels that go on either side of your iron doors. Containing glass, they let light in and serve as a sort of border for the door, emphasizing the door as the center point of your entryway while complementing its look and feel.
They're not standard with all iron doors.
But there are plenty of reasons why you'd want them. For one, sidelights can fill in the space if the door you've fallen in love with isn't quite big enough for the entryway. They're also ideal if you have a solid iron door with no glass panels - no light can get through the door, but plenty of light can stream through the sidelights to compensate.
Search for Obvious Welding Points
There's no getting away from the fact that iron doors need to be welded to achieve the right look. Iron doesn't just appear in the perfect shape of a door frame, after all. But as a buyer, you have to pay attention to welding points for two reasons - aesthetics and security.
Visible welding points look like lumps in the frame. Now, imagine you have a door with sleek black iron lines encasing glass. You could run your hand along those lines and not feel a thing until you hit the bump. The welding point. And that single semi-lump of iron makes the door look amateurish, even if there are no technical problems with its construction.
That covers why welding points are aesthetic issues. But on the security side of things, a welding point represents a vulnerability. It's a joint between two pieces of iron that isn't as strong as each piece individually. Enough force could break the joint, compromise the door, and leave you less secure in your home. So, look for obvious welding points and be wary of any iron door that has them.
Swing the Right Way
Doors have different swings. That might seem like an obvious statement, but it's something that many people forget when choosing iron doors for entryways. The swing matters. So, you need to understand the different types so you get the swing you need.
Assuming you're standing inside your home, this is how the different door swings work:
- Left-Hand Outswing - The handle is on the left of the door, and the door opens outward, meaning you need to push it.
- Left-Hand Inswing - Again, the handle is on the left. Only this time, you pull the door so it swings into the house rather than outward.
- Right-Hand Outswing - Take the rules that apply for left-hand outswing and move the door handle to the right of the door.
- Right-Hand Inswing - The handle is on the right, and you'll pull the door open so it swings into the house.
Swing affects hinge placement and door operation, both of which you need to feel comfortable with when fitting iron front entry doors in Austin.
When Might Iron Doors Not be Right for You?
There's a lot to love about iron doors. Combine the low maintenance with a modern look, and you may not want to hesitate before rushing to buy one. But iron isn't incredible for everyone, and there are some instances when iron front doors may not be the best choice for your Austin home.
They're Heavier the More Iron is Used
Of course, iron doors are heavier than wooden doors, at least when you get a full iron door and compare it to a full wooden door. The addition of glass panes can bring the weight down, but you're still going to get a door that's more difficult to install and, in some cases, a little tougher to push and pull.
That weight can be a boon (it's great for security), and many installers mitigate the installation problem by providing iron doors that are pre-hung.
Iron Doors May Cost More
This is where the budgetary considerations mentioned earlier come in. Iron doors tend to cost more than their wooden or plastic equivalents. Whether that extra cost is worth it for you comes down to how much you want the look and feel of iron and if you need your door to offer more strength than other types of doors.
The strength aspect is something to consider. Yes, an iron door requires a larger upfront investment than a wooden door. But that investment gets paid back over time as a wooden door costs more to maintain (think repeated repainting and staining) than an iron door.
There are Different Types of Iron
This is less of a downside and more something to keep in mind while shopping for your new doors. The type of iron you use affects the door, with the below covering the basics:
- Wrought Iron - As the most common form of iron used in doors, wrought iron is great because it resists rust and has an attractive look. It's tough, too, because it doesn't contain as much carbon as other types of iron.
- Cast Iron - Put iron, silicone, and some other metals in a melting pot, and you get cast iron. It's cheaper than wrought iron, which is why it's often used for pots and pans, but the carbon content makes it less sturdy.
- Gray Iron - Fracturing graphite from the iron structure gives you gray iron. It's tough, easy to mold, and resists the elements well, making it a good choice (though less common than wrought iron) for iron doors.
There are other types of iron, including white iron and malleable iron, though they're rarely used to manufacture doors. Simply put - know the type of iron you're getting because some are better for doors than others.
PINKYS - Perfect for Iron Doors in Austin
Inspired by the Californian sunset. Brought to your Austin home with a passion for taking your breath away. PINKYS iron doors are ethereal, feature an elusive style, and are born from a family with a deeply embedded love for the artistry that goes into creating the perfect door for your entryway.
With PINKYS, you get so much more than an iron door. We deliver a vision. A vision that refines the palpable energy of our LA home and brings it to the rest of the United States. We deliver the dream of Southern California to those in Austin who wish to inject a little of Cali's beauty into their home.
Would you like to learn more? Our collection of iron doors is waiting for you, and you can customize your own door (with the help of the PINKYS team) to create excellence in your entryway.