For over 40 years, PINKYS has been providing stunning doors of all styles and sizes.

Each door boasts top-end craftsmanship, excellence, and durability.

That's been our focus since day one.

The founder, Vic Der-Sarkissian, insisted on these values, and his sons, Dion and Arin, followed in his footsteps.

Why? Because mediocrity doesn't exist in our dictionary.

Neither does it in yours.

You want to have the best-looking house on the block and take the curb appeal of your place to new heights.

Yes, renovating the facade and front yard is great, but there's an even better way to improve the elegance of your property.

Installing a Dutch door is what we have in mind.

An interior or exterior Dutch door can add a TON of value to your household.

This article will explain why. We'll also tell you how to select your Dutch door.

What Are Dutch Doors?

Before we get to the advantages of Dutch doors, we first need to answer a central question: "What exactly is a Dutch door?"

A Dutch door (aka half door and double hung doors) is any door divided into two halves that can each open independently. For example, you can pop the upper part open while the lower half remains closed.

This door design isn't new.

On the contrary, it's been around for centuries.

Back in the 1700s and 1800s, Dutch homeowners used it to ventilate their houses but also keep farm animals from entering. They opened the top portion to allow air in and kept the bottom half closed for extra safety.

Additionally, the Dutch style was as versatile then as it is now.

Apart from its widespread use in homes, it was also common as barn doors or a stable door. By opening the upper half horizontally, farmers could feed their horses without letting them out.

The trend tapered off eventually, but it made a comeback in the 1950s. Since then, Dutch door manufacturers have never looked back.

More and more customers are falling in love with this design, so let's finally see what makes it so special.

Perks of Having a Half Door

Whether you're looking for high-quality exterior or interior doors, Dutch doors won't let you down.

Here's why:

Reason No. 1 - They Bring in Fresh Air Safely

Poor air quality is a problem in many households.

Musty smells from the HVAC systems, a mudroom, or a basement can make even the most beautiful home off-putting.

The only way to prevent this is to have lots of ventilation.

Unfortunately, a standard door can't ventilate the area without decreasing security.

The longer you keep it open, the greater the risk of bugs or bigger invaders entering.

Salvation comes in the form of half doors (or Dutch doors, whichever name you prefer).

These doors have a separate top half and bottom portion that opens independently. As a result, you can open the upper part without opening the lower part.

This way, you allow plenty of fresh air to circulate in the house without risking safety. Unwanted visitors will be less likely to target your home.

Reason No. 2 - Perfect for Children and Pets

How many times were you afraid to open the front door simply because your kids or pets may get out of the house?

Keeping them locked in isn't a solution since they need fresh air.

Besides, a mailman and other visitors may stop by. Opening the door is a must, but how do you avoid the associated risks?

Easy - all you need to do is replace your standard door with a Dutch door.

These split doors allow you to greet guests and accept mail without worrying about your toddlers or pets leaving.

Simply pull the upper latch and keep the bottom bolt in place. It'll act as a baby gate and pet fence, keeping your little ones where they belong.

Reason No. 3 - An Exterior Dutch Door Can Light up the Place

Ventilation and safety are just two of the problems associated with standard doors. You can also add a lack of natural light to the list as well.

Yes, you can keep the door open if you want some sunlight, but this can be too risky. Look away for one second, and who knows what might enter?

A rustic Dutch door is an effortless solution.

Once installed, exterior Dutch doors invite loads of sunlight safely. They illuminate the interior without being fully open.

Hence, you can put your feet up and bask in the sun, knowing your young ones are inside and invaders are outside.

Another great thing about having Dutch doors is that they let in fresh air.

And the fact that the panels operate independent of each other lets you control how much breeze you want inside.

If it's a gentle breeze, feel free to open both halves if your children and pets are asleep.

But if it gets too intense, close both or leave just one open to keep the ventilation rolling on through.

Reason No. 4 - Rustic Charm Galore

Remember our story about the origin of Dutch doors? It can be traced back to over 300 years ago.

And you know what this means.

That's right - rustic charm on top of rustic charm on top of rustic charm.

If your home is entirely traditional, Dutch doors will fit in right away. It works brilliantly well with antique furniture, warm colors, ornate fireplaces, and other pastoral features.

That's not to say Dutch doors don't belong in modern properties.

On the contrary, installing a Dutch door as the entry to a modern room adds a vintage layer. Placed against the backdrop of a cutting-edge flat-screen TV or adjustable sofas, it provides much-needed contrast.

Once you mount your own Dutch door, the transformation from a one-dimensional home to a multi-dimensional heaven will be underway.

Reason No. 5 - Available in an Array of Styles

What's also amazing about Dutch doors is that they're available in virtually any style. Regardless of the aesthetic effect you're looking for, you can create it with a Dutch door.

For example, let's say lighting is your priority. You want your exterior Dutch door to let in as much fresh air as possible but also illuminate your house.

You want something that has the benefits of all those expansive glass doors Southern California is known for.

That's precisely what Dutch doors bring to the table.

Thanks to their versatility, you can experiment with the two halves, setting up the bottom portion as a standard door and the upper portion as a glass door.

The glass panels allow sunlight to permeate your property and reduce the need for bulbs. At the same time, the lower half prevents prying eyes from spying on you.

Now, let's say you're installing an interior door – this usually means you have different expectations about what the door should provide.

For instance, your current office door has air leaks and is less secure than the front door.

You don't need something like a Swiss bank safe door, but extra security can't hurt.

Dutch doors are again the answer. But rather than use glass panels, you should opt for a less open solid design.

Both the top and lower shouldn't have any glass panels because you don't want others checking out the inside. There could be sensitive business documents or other information you wish to hide.

Removing glass does just that.

And the fact that this is a Dutch door lets you take a quick look at the files without opening the entire door. If everything is where it should be, just close the upper half and enjoy the rest of your day.

Reason No. 6 - Ideal Companion in the Kitchen or Laundry Room

How often do chores make you want to give up? No matter how hard you try or how fast you go, they still seem to take forever and only get harder if you procrastinate. You either wave the white flag or pay someone hundreds of dollars to do the work for you.

If only there was something to make your life easier.

There are - Dutch doors.

Suppose you had a party and needed to collect dirty dishes. If you've installed a pantry Dutch door next to your sink, consider adding a shelf.

It might not seem much, but shelves on the lower section serve as drop-off points for your dishes.

Store them here until you're ready to roll your sleeves and get to work washing them, and you won't have to gather plates and glasses all over the house.

An interior Dutch door can be a diligent kitchen assistant, but that's not the only room where you can employ your trusted companion.

It's just as valuable, if not more valuable, in the laundry room.

Let's say you haven't started your washer yet. You're still waiting for dirty clothes to pile up because you don't want to run a half-empty cycle and waste energy.

Instead of reentering the area over and over again when you notice dirty garments, you need only keep the top part of your Dutch door open.

Drop the clothes over the bottom portion or leave them on a shelf to save a lot of time.

How to Choose a Dutch Door

Due to so many perks of Dutch doors, we can already hear you going: "I'm dying to install one in my house. Why didn't I do this earlier?"

It's never too late to mount Dutch doors. But the sooner you make the move, the sooner you get higher security, freshness, expansive indoors, and functionality.

To help you make the most of your investment, we'll provide a few tips on how to select your Dutch door:

Tip No. 1 - Pick the Finest Material Available

Like with any other door, selecting top-quality materials should be your main mission.

Most people go for wood because it's affordable and versatile. It lends itself to various designs and patterns, allowing homeowners to achieve different visual effects.

But you're not like most people.

You want your house to exude a Southern California flair and have that extra oomph.

Wood doors will hardly get you there. Their widespread use rules them out of contention.

Another reason is the frail nature of this material.

Yes, it can have high impact resistance (especially if it's solid wood), but it's prone to water damage, rotting, and warping. Even the smallest termite infestation can wreak havoc on the door and render it useless.

It's a domino effect from there. The door loses its energy efficiency, and thermal regulation, and can no longer protect you from invaders.

Before you know it, the door crumbles under pressure and collapses altogether. The consequences are too dire to imagine if this happens in the middle of a storm.

Metal Dutch doors are the light at the end of the tunnel.

Iron doors in this style are particularly valuable, like the ones at PINKYS. They can handle pretty much anything you throw at them.

Sticks and stones may break someone's bones, but they don't have a chance against this material.

Pelting rain, dust storms, hailstones - you name it. Whatever the challenge, an iron door will undoubtedly protect you.

On top of that, iron doors don't have issues associated with wood doors. Warping, rotting, and moisture damage aren't a problem.

Here's what else makes iron the No. 1 Dutch door material:

Ethereal looks

The decor of a Dutch door can have pretty much any shape or texture. This includes ornate iron flowers, meandering branches, and eye-catching circles.

Each adds a new layer to the door and emanates elegance.

Better yet, think about all the options you get with a custom door.

Now we're talking.

A tailor-made Dutch door can contain any pattern or finish that reflects the personality of your house. These touches give it more body and separate the door from millions of generic products.

Low maintenance

While wood is hard to maintain, iron is on the opposite end of this spectrum. It's resistant to rust, so there's no need to treat your door with coatings.

Greasing the hinges and giving your door an occasional soapy wash should do the trick maintenance-wise.

You know what else low maintenance means? It means you repair the door once in a blue moon.

The fact that it's so durable and doesn't require extra care reduces the risk of chips, cracks, and other forms of damage.

This translates to less elbow grease and less money spent on repairs.

Unrivaled security

The immense strength of iron Dutch doors can make thieves think twice about entering. They're virtually impossible to kick or pry open, especially if they're free from glass panels.

These doors are incredibly secure as is, but you can take them to the next level. By mounting a deadbolt and chain, you turn your home into an impregnable castle.

While you're at it, don't forget to install a few sidelights here and there. A well-illuminated entryway can deter even the most persistent burglars.

Tip No. 2 - Focus on Energy Efficiency

Let's face it - it can get pretty hot in your area.

One night, you're perfectly comfy in your tracksuit, but in the morning, the temperature skyrockets. Even if you strip down to your shorts, there's no cooling down.

So, you bring out the big guns - your AC. Set it at the lowest temperature and let cold air work its magic.

You're probably thinking: "Of course I do. There's nothing wrong with using my AC on a scorching summer day."

But the reality is different. The more you use your air conditioner, the greater the energy waste. As a result, your electricity bill goes through the roof.

Now, we're not saying you should never turn on the AC. All we're saying is that you should do it less often.

And to lay the groundwork for this, you need something to keep cool air inside once you start the device.

That's where energy-efficient Dutch doors come in.

Those made of iron are especially impressive in this respect because of their insulating properties.

Beyond the material, they also have robust sills. They're installed at the bottom of the door and form a tight seal with the ground. Just make sure they adhere to the ground nicely to avoid any drafts.

Also, consider a Dutch door with adjustable sills. These are easier to adapt to your property and create a tighter bond.

Tip No. 3 - Pick a Double Door If You Have Unused Space and Need More Ventilation

When you juxtapose single Dutch doors with double Dutch doors, you won't see any difference in terms of how they work.

They both open and close the same way, i.e., they have independent halves.

The only major difference is the size.

But oh boy, the size can be the deciding factor when buying a Dutch door.

If you're short on space, a single Dutch door is perfectly fine. It'll give you all those fabulous features at a lower price.

However, if you have a lot of unused horizontal space, you need a double Dutch door. They fill up gaps nicely and make your house more cohesive by eliminating blank areas.

Plus, they can work as exterior and interior doors, making them highly flexible.

Another reason to consider double Dutch doors is greater ventilation. Instead of just one, you get two upper halves to allow in a larger amount of fresh air.

The only downside is that they're more expensive. They require more Dutch door hardware, resulting in higher installation costs.

Style, Durability, Flexibility - It All Comes Together in a Magnificent Dutch Door

Gone are the days when you had to settle for regular doors.

After all, when designing your house, you either go big or you go (to a less desirable) home.

And it doesn't get any bigger than Dutch doors.

Most notably - iron Dutch doors. If you're ready to revamp your abode with these classy products, PINKYS is at your beck and call.

Whether you prefer the single or double-door style, our artisan collection will take your breath away. Each door features second-to-none craftsmanship and attention to detail.

And then there's sophistication. So. Much. Sophistication. We go to such great lengths to make sophisticated doors that passers-by will wonder: "Oh, my. If this guy's door looks so good, what's behind closed doors must be even nicer."

If you want to make heads turn with your Dutch doors, the time is ripe for PINKYS. Head to our website and find the door of your dreams.