Picking the right front door for an old Charleston house means mixing old rules with new use. Here’s a clear overview:
- Old Rules: The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) in Charleston checks all visible changes to houses in old areas. Any new door must fit the look of the area.
- Materials & Style: Wood and iron are liked for lasting long and fitting well with Charleston’s old look. Styles should match the time the home was built (like Georgian, Victorian).
- New Features: Custom doors can have glass that saves energy, coats that fight the weather, and locks that are top-notch without losing the old-time feel.
- Getting Permission: You need to apply online, with full plans and papers that show you follow BAR rules.
- Lasting Long: Iron doors work well in Charleston’s wet, seaside air. They last a long time and don’t need much care.
Charleston’s Rules on Keeping Old Looks
Charleston’s rules for old looks set clear steps on how to change entry doors. This makes sure the city keeps its old charm while letting in new changes. Here is key information on BAR guidelines, right stuff to use, and how to get a permit when changing entry doors.
Board of Architectural Review (BAR) Rules
In Charleston’s Old Area, the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) checks any changes to entry doors seen from public spots. This covers all work seen from streets or other public spaces, and such changes need a BAR ok. Your new door will be looked at closely to make sure it fits Charleston’s old look rules.
The BAR uses rules from 1931 to keep the city’s old look. While small changes may just need staff to look over, changing doors needs a deeper look due to how much they are seen and how important they are to the building’s old look.
Right Stuff and Door Types
Picking the right stuff and door types is key to keep your place looking old the right way. Charleston’s Old Area has many old building looks – Georgian, Federal, Victorian, Italianate, Greek Revival, and Gothic Revival. The Charleston single house is also very old and special with its narrow, one-room wide setup.
Old Charleston doors often have special touches like bricks made to look like stone, and light colors are a main look, even for door colors. Wood and iron are usually ok since they fit well with the city’s old look. To stick to rules, pick stuff and looks that go with your place and the area around it.
Getting a Permit and Check-ups
After making sure your design fits BAR rules, the next step is to get the needed permits. Charleston has a digital system to make the permit process easy but still thorough. Start by setting up a Customer Self-Service (CSS) account to handle your application. Okays often take up to three business days.
You must send permit applications online as a PDF via the CSS portal. Your files should have a filled-out form, a detailed plan, value of the project, and the right Submittal Requirements list. All files should be in .pdf form.
Once ok’d and paid for, your permit status will show "Issued" in 1–2 days. Then, you can print the permit and start work.
For any help right away, visit the Permit Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for questions, sending stuff, payments, or staff help. Small jobs or changes might get a same-day permit if checked at special stations from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
The city gives steady help in many ways. You can send in permits or ask questions any time through the CSS portal or by emailing permits@charleston-sc.gov. The staff of Development & Construction Services are there to check on submissions and emails from 7:30 in the morning till 5 in the evening, from Monday to Friday, not on city holidays. For more help, meet with Development Coordinators at station 11 and 12 in the Permit Center to make sure your project fits all needs before you begin work.
Mixing Old Style with New Door Benefits
Pick a front door that shows Charleston’s deep past but also brings the good of new safety, less power use, and lasting strength. These new features match well with the old-time beauty of Charleston’s known door styles.
Classic Charleston Door Ways
Charleston’s doors are a fine blend of use and old ways. Look at the hospitality door – a second door on the porch that stays open to say hi to guests or shut for alone time. This part is not just about the city’s way of meeting but also helps air move in the damp Lowcountry air.
Next, the piazzas, Charleston’s known porches, welcome you to open-air areas. These spots make the living space bigger and give shadow from the strong summer heat. The light sea-side soft colors, a key part of Charleston homes, work well and look good. These colors push back sunlight, helping to keep homes cool in the hot, bright days.
Wrought iron bits are key too. From fine grids, known here as clairvoyée, to fancy fences, these iron parts add beauty and are useful for safe-keeping and small looks into big, green yards.
Custom Wrought Iron Doors: Old Look with New Wins
Keeping Charleston’s building past means new upgrades must fit well with old styles. Custom wrought iron doors do this, bringing both old look and top use. With most break-ins at front or low-floor doors, a safe way in is key. Doors made from thick iron with strong frames and many-lock systems give top safe-keeping.
New iron doors also bring ease and less energy use. Parts like thick hearts, tight seals, and breaks keep a steady temp inside while cutting power costs. Sea-side troubles like wet and salt air are fought with rust-safe coats, such as powder layers and zinc covers. Iron doors often do better than wood, aluminum, or plain steel doors in saving energy.
Another plus is how long they last. A top iron door keeps its look and work for many years. The money wins are big too, as per House Logic:
"Year in and year out, no single project has provided such a healthy return on your home improvement dollar as a new front door".
Changing your front door to a better one can give back up to 98% of what you spent.
You can pick glass like frosted, tinted, or special designs. These options mix well with keeping some privacy, letting in sun, and fitting old house styles.
Picking Finishes and Parts
The door frame is just the start. Finishes and parts make it look full, mixing old charm with new use. Charleston has many house styles like Colonial and Victorian, each with its unique parts. Some people blend old and new by using old or copy parts for a true yet lasting look.
To deal with Charleston’s coast weather, finishes need to be top-notch and fight the weather. Special coats and covers are key to stop harm from wet and salt air. Regular checks, like looking at seals and wear, keep the door in good shape. Light, shiny finishes not only look good but also keep heat away – a big point in the Lowcountry’s hot weather.
As the folks at The Charleston Hardware Company say:
"Quality hardware isn’t just about aesthetics – it also ensures smooth operation and durability. Invest in pieces that will last for generations".
Strong parts like tough handles, locks, and hinges make sure your stuff works well every day and lasts a long time. Good locking systems add more safety but keep your house looking old.
When picking finishes and parts, think about how they will change as they get old. Some finishes get a nice, old look over time, making the door seem more charming. Others look the same for many years. Your pick should fit how much care you want to give and match your house’s own look.
Key Benefits: Safety, Low Costs, and Long Life
Custom iron doors are a good buy for Charleston house owners for they stand strong in face of break-ins, damp air, and rough weather – all while adding true worth to your home.
Safety Points and Guarding
Charleston’s seaside setting asks for strong, sure home safety. Custom iron doors, often weighing over 400 pounds (or up to 1,000 pounds for big double doors), are made to stop forced open. They have many locks, strong hinges, and tough frames for more safety . For extra safety, many doors can get smart tech like fingerprint locks and built-in cameras.
Not like wood, fiberglass, or vinyl, iron is tougher by nature, making it hard to break into . Many Charleston house owners pair their iron front door with a matching iron safe door. This makes homes both safer and keeps the old-time look many local homes are known for.
Keeping Costs Low and Blocking Bad Weather
A door must do well in Charleston’s damp hot air, too. New iron doors have glass that keeps heat out, tight sealing, and breaks that stop heat flow, making homes comfy and less costly to cool.
Glass that keeps heat out is great at pushing back hot sun in summer and keeping warmth in during the colder times. With tight seals and heat breaks, these doors block damp air out and keep cool or warm air in, saving a lot on cooling bills in this expensive region.
Wood doors may warp or rot in damp air, but new iron doors stay strong. Their make keeps them in good shape and working well in face of Charleston’s tough weather.
For more calm, doors that can stand strong weather may cut down your home insurance costs by up to 45%. UV-proof finishes keep the door safe from sun’s harm, stopping fading or harm to your home’s inside.
Lasting with Low Upkeep
Custom iron doors are made to last, fitting well in Charleston’s seaside air. Coatings that stop rust, like powder paint and zinc coat, guard the door from sea air, ensuring it stays strong and nice for many years.
Taking care of it is easy. Just clean with soft soap and water, then dry well. Now and then, a bit of paint and sealant touch-up helps against weather harm.
Wrought iron doors are not just strong, but they also resist fire. Wood can feed a fire, but iron can keep flames in check, giving more time to get out when in danger. These doors stand up well to strong winds, changing hot and cold, and sun, making sure they stay good and look good too alongside Charleston’s old style.
With their mix of safety, less energy use, and lasting strength, wrought iron doors are a smart and nice pick for home owners. They bring calm and add to the way your Charleston home works and keeps its always-loved look.
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Unique Style and Expert Setup
Unique iron doors in Charleston mix old charm with new safe features and style.
Steps in Design and Making
To make a custom iron door, start by picking materials, glass, finishes, and things like handles that show the old feel of Charleston.
Choosing glass is key for the door’s style. Clear glass lets in a lot of light, while options like Flemish glass keep your home private. You can also choose glass with old designs that suit Charleston.
Picking the finish connects the door to Charleston’s famous old buildings. Choices like aged bronze, rusty look, or old copper give an old and worn look. Coatings that are powder-based work well too, keeping colors bright and safe from the city’s damp, salty air.
Choosing hardware means picking handles, hinges, and locks that go with your chosen finish. Liked options like satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black look good and match well with Charleston’s many building styles.
Right measurements are key to make sure the door fits well, works smoothly, and helps save energy.
Needs for Expert Setup
After the design is done, expert setup makes sure the door works right and keeps your home’s old look safe. Installers who know about old places know how to handle the special needs of old houses.
Setting up the door means checking the frame to make sure it can hold the door and making sure the door is straight and works right – this is very important in old houses where the frame may have shifted.
"From designing the perfect silhouette, selecting the ideal glass, the materials of the hardware, and perfecting the door’s finish, to ensuring compliance with the strictest building codes, the only limits are those of your imagination." – Clark Hall Doors & Windows
Keeping out wetness is key. Weatherstripping and caulking help fight Charleston’s damp air yet keep the door’s old look. Installers make sure the door fits local rules and is tight.
Old-style Fake Looks for Charm
To finish the look, fake paints make your iron door seem like it’s always been part of your Charleston house. Fake painting adds depth and feel, improving the old look found in historic ironwork.
Aged bronze looks copy the natural aging of metal by Charleston’s sea air. Rust patina styles give an old look but keep it strong, while antique copper looks add a warm feel that goes well with red brick or stucco – both seen a lot in Charleston buildings.
These fake looks boost beauty; they also add more shield. Layers put on during the fake paint job guard the door from wetness, salt air, and sun harm, all while keeping its old charm.
"We want the custom iron doors installed in your home to be perfect in every aspect. We want to make sure your home’s framing is structurally sound and your new iron door is level and operating smoothly. We’ll also make sure that the molding and caulk is applied professionally and in proper working order. Finally, we want to make sure that your exclusive iron door is painted by our artists so that your door stands out!" – Forever Iron Doors Carolina
Ending: Choosing the Best Door for Your Home in Charleston
Picking the right front door for your Charleston Historic District house is about finding a good mix – respecting the old ways while having the perks of today. Custom wrought iron doors are a top pick, mixing classic style with useful things like smart locks, saving-energy glass, and better weather-stopping. Plus, they fit the look rules made by the Board of Architectural Review.
Each part of the door’s design shows this balance. Strong iron, with a protective layer, fights off Charleston’s wet, salty air and stays beautiful for a long time. Plus, the low-E glass keeps your house cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold, cutting down energy use but not changing the old style.
Talking to local history keepers early helps make sure your door works well with both old rules and new needs.
"Charleston does not remain special by accident. It is through deliberate and thoughtful action that we preserve our unique character."
Good workers can make old style details and add new bits too. They help you pick stuff like materials, ends, and parts that fit well with Charleston’s own building looks.
When well made and put right, these doors stand out in your house. They give safety and save power, and they sure look good outside. With great skill and love for Charleston’s old beauty, your front door can mix old and new well. It brings both looks and use for a long time.
FAQs
What should I think about when picking a front door for a home in Charleston’s Historic District?
When picking a front door for a home in Charleston’s Historic District, it’s key to balance the old charm of the area with the needs of today. Start by picking materials and looks that fit your home’s style and follow the rules of the district. Custom-made iron doors are a top pick – they last long, save energy, and keep your home safe, while still looking like they fit in with old homes.
It’s also key to make sure your door can handle the local weather and is safe. Before you say yes to a door, check the local old building rules to make sure that your door follows them and also adds to the special look of Charleston’s old homes.
How do I get a yes from the Board of Architectural Review for a new front door in Charleston’s Old Area?
To win approval from the Charleston Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for your new front door in the Old Area, you must put together a full plan. This means sending in all the details and plans for the door to show it keeps with the old look of the area.
You can send your plan online, in person, or by email. You must also add key papers like a map of the site and proof that you own the property. After you send it, the BAR will look at your plan to make sure it fits the old feel of the area. If they need changes or more info, they will tell you. Once all is good and they say yes, you will get a go-ahead to start your work.
To raise your chances of getting a yes, make sure your door design looks right with the local old style and follows all the area rules.
