A front door can make a powerful statement. On a street of similar houses, a distinctive door entry can set a place apart. In an area of period homes, a door with the right proportions and moldings can cap a restoration. And that's just from the outside. For those who enter, a solid door with the right heft and hardware can make the whole house feel safe and secure. Usually a slab door will come in pine, fir, or hemlock. If you would like to have a custom door built for your home. Furniture Designers may be able to do more custom work, because the same techniques in designing custom furniture are involved with making a custom door. A door can be made to fit the material, style, and size of your choice.

The style of windows set the tone for a house. Windows punctuate a wall with two symmetrical rows of small, double-hung windows, and it looks Colonial. Fill the same wall with casements, and suddenly it's Arts and Crafts. An all-glass wall says contemporary. When choosing a style, it's important to consider the house's architecture, and also the window's locations ? certain types work better in some settings than in others.

Double-hung windows are the most popular. Modern versions of these windows have a tilt-in sash for easy cleaning of the outside panes. These all-around favorites have some limitations; for example, they're not the best choice in locations where you have to stretch to open the window, such as over a kitchen sink.

Casement windows are hinged at the side and typically swing out. The full-height opening provides excellent ventilation. But casements, especially those made of wood, can suffer damage if left open in the rain. They're a poor choice where they would open onto patios or other traffic areas.

Sliding windows function like double-hung windows turned sideways. They look best in contemporary homes, and work well opening onto a deck or exterior stairway, where a casement's swing would cause trouble.

Awning windows are hinged on the top and open out from the bottom. They're often used for ventilation under large, fixed-pane picture windows in contemporary-style homes. They keep out rain even when open, as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard.

Hopper windows are like awnings in reverse: They're hinged on the bottom and swing in. Hoppers are typically used in basements or high up on a wall over a large, fixed-pane window.

Fixed windows don't swing, tilt, or glide; the sash is permanently fixed to a frame. Often flanked by double-hung windows or window casements, or set above or below an awning or hopper, fixed sash come in a variety of shapes, including round, half-round, diamond, and trapezoid (to echo gable-end rafter pitches.)