A digital deadbolt gives you the option of opening your door with a security code or the house key. So when you’re in a hurry or don’t have an extra hand to fiddle with the key, you can punch in the numbers and go. The LockState remote control deadbolt locks 20 seconds after you unlock it, and it has six user sub codes.

This improvement can make your home safer and more convenient, especially since it has a glow-in-the-dark touch keypad. Just remember to replace the four AA batteries on a regular basis.

Doorbells come in so many designs, so even if you have an Arts and Crafts home, you can find one to fit in with your interior. Chime characteristics include colonial like features, grid cutout patterns, vertical slats and hand-pegged joinery. Some doorbells even have a recordable chime, so you can personalize it.

This door chime from Doorbell Factory has a solid maple cover and natural finish. The brushed nickel finish tubes on the sides are a modern and simple touch. This chime plays a two-note melody and has a one-year warranty. It measures 7 1/8 W x 2 ½ D x 10 H.

Old doors can be stripped of their original hardware and be retrofitted with handles of your choosing. If you have bronze accents on the sconces outside your door, choose antique bronze handles and a knocker. A door with detailed wrought iron and zinc grilles can be updated with new glass, and if it has intricate wood features, this can make your entryway more of a focal point. You can also repaint the door, but if it has been painted several times before, it’s best to strip it first.

There are a variety of styles and shapes of shutters. The board-and-batten-style shutters have an informal and country feel. For the flower boxes, you can try wood or wrought iron. Whichever type you choose, you will be adding more dimension, color and interest to your home. The boxes can also make short windows appear longer if you have hanging plants. These charming additions can make your windows look more in proportion.

If you live in a historical district, find out if you have to use a certain design, because you might be violating a code if you don’t check.

A garage with raised-panel doors, hardware and lighting fixtures that go with the colonial look of you home can add some style to the once plain garage. Material options include wood, steel, aluminum and fiberglass. The more economical materials are aluminum and fiberglass, but they can’t take too much abuse.

For the design, consider single-panel or sectional roll-up styles. If you live in an area that receives a significant amount of snow accumulation, you should go for the roll-up style.

Steel doors with glass are more modern, and accent lights above the doors can enhance their appearance. Frosted-glass panels can give you more privacy, and they mimic Asian-influenced architecture.

Greenhouse Windows by Tru-Frame come in vinyl or aluminum windows and can easily replace an existing kitchen window. To enable ventilation, these windows have side opening windows as well as fully adjustable tempered glass shelves. In addition, this design has a Low-E2 insulated glass roof, which reduces heat and ultra violet rays that can compromise your plants. Although stock colors are white and almond, other colors are available too.

These windows can also display other items such as vases, knickknacks and small pictures. So it can be a display case for people inside or looking from the outside of your home.

Fitting a partially sandblasted shower glass into the bathroom wall will allow natural light to filter in and prevent others from seeing through. To give the room an open feeling, fit the piece of glass so it doesn’t reach the top of the wall. The gap of space will make the room less claustrophobic.

If you just want some privacy around the toilet, install a piece of frosted glass into the wall. This will create a separation between the toilet and sink or toilet and dressing area.

Another option is having two doors with frosted glass panels. The double doors can separate the tub and toilet from the dressing area, which can allow two people to use the bathroom at the same time.

With double-wide sliding patio doors, only one door can open at a time. Pivoting doors rotate a full 90 degrees from the center, so this is a unique option. French doors can either open into a room or swing out onto another room. With swinging French doors, you need to account for the space taken up when the doors open. However, if you don’t want to worry about this, you can opt for the sliding French doors.

Marvin Windows and Doors has the Ultimate Sliding French Door, which is a space-saving version of the in-swinging French doors. Marvin’s design is ergonomic with mulit-point lock and the choice between a raised or flat panel.

With the use of a solid masonry and invisible glass, a window can make your living space and mantle more interesting. From the outside, it breaks up the vertical chimney and adds a visual element to this structure. Also, the gas fireplace exhaust can be diverted through a small vent below the chimney.

Even if you’re trying to find a way to increase the natural light in your family room, adding a window can achieve this goal. There are only so many ways to decorate your mantle, but a connection to the outside world is sometimes just what you need more of.

Another glass option is glazed folding doors. Adding these to the back of your house can give you more of a connection with your backyard. Instead of the patio being separate, it can be more a part of your home.

NanaWall makes glazed folding doors, which are perfect for homes near the water. They have three types of glazed folding systems: wood, aluminum and aluminum clad.

So what is the difference between the screens and the doors? Glass folding screens can create a large visual space while glass folding doors can provide large exterior openings.