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Doors and Porch Lights

General:
Replacement porchlights and door hardware should all be of a “traditional” or “Colonial” style to match the original design of the neighborhood.  Acceptable finishes are shiny, "aged" or antique brass.  Silver (chrome, nickel and pewter) and black finishes are not acceptable.  All finishes on porchlights and door hardware should match.
 
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Currently Approved Finishes

Front Porch Lights:  
Replacement front porch lights must be as similar as possible to the originals.  Exact replacements are, for the most part, no longer available.  However, a wide range of lights is available in stores and online at all prices.  Replacement front porch lights should be: 
  • As close as possible to the size, shape and finish as the original
  • Shiny, "aged" or “antique” brass finish (black, chrome, nickel or pewter finish is not acceptable)
  • Traditional or colonial style (severely contemporary or "Spanish" style unacceptable)
  • Mounted in original location

Rear Porch Lights: 
The small lights near the doors to the deck and lower patio may be replaced with more decorative units with the following specifications: 
  • As close as possible to the size of the original
  • Shiny, "aged" or “antique” brass finish (black, nickel, chrome or pewter finish is not acceptable)
  • Traditional or colonial style (severely contemporary or "Spanish" style unacceptable)
  • Mounted in original location

Door Hardware:
Doorknobs, locks and door knockers should be finished in shiny or antique brass.  Chrome, black, nickel or pewter hardware is not acceptable.
  • Doorknobs and locks should be very close to the originals in design
  • Electronic locks and/or door mounted closed circuit cameras are acceptable with approval from the ARC
  • Door knockers may be replaced with a different design, as long as it is the approximate size of the original. 
  • “Kickplates” of any type or finish may not be added to the bottom of a front door.  

Storm Doors
Storm doors made of wood or aluminum are an acceptable addition to the home but must meet the following specifications. 

Color: 
For both wood and aluminum doors, the color must match the original color of the interior front door. Colors are available through the Sherwin Williams store on Waltham Woods in North Plaza Shopping Center. Specific color/number information can be obtained on this website (click "Maintenance" link.  If the door colors do not match, the ARC may require the storm door to be repainted or removed entirely.  

Some aluminum doors are readily available in colors that already closely match the color of your front door.  If not, it may be possible to special order the door in a custom color.  It is also possible to paint an aluminum door with the appropriate color door paint.  Remove the hardware and paint the door with Sure Grip or similar primer.  Then paint the door.  You may get lucky and find the color in a spray can.  Otherwise, a foam brush provides good results without visible brush strokes.  Occasionally, it may be possible to paint your front door slightly darker or lighter in order to match the existing color of a new storm door.  Discuss this with the ARC in advance. 

Type: 
  • May be made of wood or aluminum
  • Full view style (approximately 28” X 72” glass) with removable screen and glass window
  • Hinge and handle finish options: Bright/polished or antique brass
  • Brass kick-plates:  Standard on most aluminum doors; allowable addition to others.  

​Not Permitted:
  • “Pet grilles,” decorative appliqués or molding
  • Painting of screens
  • Metal “security doors” with bars or other types of special protection
​Replacement Doors

​Front Doors: 
Replacement front doors must match the function and appearance (six panel, no windows) of the original units and be painted in the original color (see website for list of colors). 
  • Doors may be made of metal (like the originals) or Fiberglas. 
  • Doors must be mounted to swing in the same direction as the original. 
  • Pet doors are not allowed. 

Deck Doors (First Floor):
Replacement deck doors must match the general appearance of the original units:  a center door flanked by a stationary panel to either side.  
  • The door may be either a slider or swinging style.  If a swinging style is chosen, it must open to the inside of the house like any exterior door. 
  • The unit may be made of wood or Fiberglas. 
  • The exterior and interior surfaces may be of wood, vinyl or metal.
  • The entire unit must be trimmed on the exterior with “brick molding,” which may be made of wood or vinyl.   
  • The exterior must either be white or match the original color of the home’s front door.  If the deck door is painted in the original color, the trim must be painted to match the original color as well. 
  • The door and both stationary panels must contain 15 “lites” (panes), three wide by five high.
  • The bottom row of panes must begin nine inches from the bottom of the door and each stationary unit.
  • Exterior hardware must be shiny or antique brass finish, or white. 
  • Metal security doors with bars or other theft deterrent features are not allowed. However, the owner may install a single security bar ("Charlie bar") on sliding doors.   

Patio Doors (Lower Level):
Replacement patio doors must be the same size and general type of the original:  that is, one moving door and one stationary panel. 
  • The door may be either a slider or hinged swinging style.  If a swinging style is chosen, it must open to the inside of the house like any exterior door. 
  • Both the door and stationary panel must be “full view,” that is, the glass extends to near the top and bottom and to both sides. 
  • Glass may either be a single undivided pane or divided by mullions into 15 smaller panes (“lites”) to match the deck door:  three panes wide by five panes high on both the door and the stationary panel. 
  • Mullions (pane dividers) may be mounted on the interior of the unit (permanently or removably) or between the panes of glass.
  • The unit may be made of wood or Fiberglas. 
  • The exterior and interior surfaces may be of wood, vinyl or metal.
  • The entire unit must be trimmed on the exterior with “brick molding,” which may be made of wood or vinyl.  
  • The exterior must either be white or match the original color of the home’s front door.  If the door is painted in the original color, the trim must be painted to match the original color of trim as well.
  • Exterior hardware must be shiny or antique brass finish or white.
  • Metal “security doors” with bars or other theft deterrent features, are not allowed. However, the owner may install a single security bar ("Charlie bar") on sliding doors.