DIY Network

Improving Your Exterior If it's time to give your house a face-lift, here are some great ideas for siding, hardscaping, front doors and more. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-126

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Add a Victorian Front Door

Victorian-style architecture has become very popular again. The detail appeals to a lot of people who remember their grandparents' houses that were full of "gingerbread": brackets, spindles, shaped shingles and other decorative elements.

The growing interest in restoring old houses has spurred production of some of these old-fashioned details again, too. It's easy to find ways to give almost any house a touch of Victoriana. (Not all houses, however, look good with such details, so consider the style of your house before you decide to add something that might look completely out of place.)

If you long for the sound of a wood-frame screen door slamming behind the kids, here's a project that uses new trim to dress up a stock door for an authentic-looking step back to the 19th century.

1. Start with a standard two-panel screen door with a wooden frame. You can buy one at hardware stores and home centers.

2. Come up with a design for the door. Spend some time looking at examples on the Internet or at the library, then figure out what individual components you'll need to replicate that look.

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3. Order the pieces you need from a local supplier or an online source, such as Van Dyke Restorers or Outwater. Paint them before installing them; it's tough to paint such elaborate details once they're on the door.

4. Some of the pieces are quite delicate, so when you install them, glue them in place first. Then pre-drill them and drive nails through them. That will protect the pieces from splitting.

5. Add vintage-style hardware. If you have pets or kids, put hardware cloth across the bottom of the door to keep it from being damaged. You even can add a Victorian-type doorbell for another realistic touch.

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