What to do about outdated expensive doors?

We are in the process of updating our entry way to our house (notice dust on doors) and are curious as to whether or not to replace these expensive front doors.  Our home, which was built in the 60's, has these carved doors done by a local wood worker.  The workmanship is beautiful but I'm afraid the doors will be seen as outdated, and won't be appreciated by a buyer.  Besides cleaning them up, is there something else we should do to make them more appealing to buyers?  Or, should we eliminate them altogether?

 I think the answer to your question depends on how much updating you are doing to the rest of the house.  It obviously will still be a 60's era home, however if you are updating with granite and new flooring and perhaps removing dark paneling on walls and those kinds of things then I would consider replacing the doors.  At the very least I would consider painting them a lighter color to open up the entry way.  The larger and more airy you can make the entry feel the better reception the buyer will have to walking in the home. Keep in mind the buyer's first impression is the front door---they typically have to stand there and wait while the agent opens the lockbox...you want it pristine and clean.  They are beautiful craftmanship, just of a different time. 

Best of luck to you in the sale of your home.

Katie Griffin-Ross, Broker Associate

The Power of Family

Keller Williams Heritage

San Antonio, TX

210-477-4927

I'm thinking like Katie on this one Shawna are you updating other areas of the home as well?

For some buyers these doors may actually be a selling feature "local woodworker, hand crafted, vintage to an era, 60's style, etc."  For other buyers they may not like them at all.

Changing the doors would certainly update the look and you could always keep the doors in your garage should someone be interested in refinishing them and replacing them back at the front entrance.

Painting/restaining them and replacing the hardware (the handles look worn and is there a mail slot in one of the doors - does it get used?) would be a cost effective option as well.  I think the front door is important to make a good first impression and the fact that you have 2 doors makes it even more important.

Good luck!

 I agree it depends on how far you are renovating.

You could slavage the doors with stainless veneer and let the exotic custom relief pattern get truly featured. I'd minimize competing textures. The door has pleny of drama in and of itself.

 oohhh. I like that idea. Brass might be a good option as well, but stainless would be much easier to care for long term.

You could also acid wash the wood before adding the stainless treatments, which would lighten up the wood a lot.

The real answer to this though is to determine what other upgrades you are doing to the house. Fancy, space-age doors on a circa 1960's style home might look odd.

Not that the 1960's wasn't the space age.