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Vastu tips for Entrance and Windows
by Cchinttamani Ddesai
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Main entrance should always have threshold or doorsill. The main entrance of a house is compared with the mouth of a human being. Just as the face has two eyes, a nose and a mouth, the main entrance of a house is supposed to possess windows on either side, or a sill or threshold below the doorway. The purpose of lips is served by the frame shutters, and the threshold. It is said that the threshold protects the household from perils, diseases and paves way for prosperity.

  • It is better to make the door consist of only one panel or shutter; or by joining three or five shutters. Frames can be four or maximum five in a door.
  • There should be no obstructions in front of main door such as rails, staircase, big trees etc.
  • Opposite to it should not be a temple, lamppost or any kind of obstruction.
  • If it is oversized or under sized, it should be changed immediately.
  • If a door is making screeching sound while movement, such a door along with chowkhat should be replaced immediately.
  • Doors should not be placed in the center of the wall; they should always be off centered.
  • If a house faces east, the entrance should be fixed towards East, so that the main door falls in the Northern half of that side. Such a door yields good results and is very auspicious.
  • If a house faces West, the entrance should be fixed towards West, so that the main door falls in the Northern half of that side.
  • When the house is north facing, the entrance should be fixed towards North, so that is falls in the eastern half of that side.
  • If the house is south facing, the entrance should be fixed towards North, so that the door falls in the Eastern half of that side.
  • Main entrance or the gates of the two houses opposite to each other should not open exactly towards each other.
  • For making doors and windows, as far as possible one type of wood should be used. Teak is the best wood for this purpose.
  • Irregular shaped doors or square doors are not recommended and are considered inauspicious. The door size should be in ratio of 2:1 in respect to height and width. The normal sized door is 7' X 3'.
  • Windows also should have symmetry in height through sizes of width may differ.
  • If only one door is to be fixed in a house, it must be fixed either Eastern or northern side of the building. If the house have two doors, they can be placed in North and South, in east and west, in East and North but never in South and West.
  • Placing doorways in the three directions except east are not auspicious. Avoiding a doorway in the South and keeping doorways in other directions are auspicious.
  • The best thing is if the maximum number of doors and windows open in North and East sdes of the building as compared to the South and the West Side.
  • The main door should be the tallest and other doors should not be superior in size or in beauty to the main door. It is also written in Braunth Sanhita as:
    "Mool Dwaaram Naanayyarabhisanthathi Roopdurya, Gatpal Patra Pramathibhishch Thanmadulau shrich nuyath"
  • Doors in all rooms should be of equal size but if want to make some bigger ones, then the doors in South and West side should be bigger than the North and the east side and not the other way.
  • The number of doors and windows in the house should be in even numbers like 2,4,6,8,etc.
  • While fixing the doorframes in an internal wall, it must be ensured that the doorframe is not fixed contiguous to the main wall of the house. At least a minimum of 4" pad should be built before fixing the doorframe to a lateral wall.
  • While fixing the doors and the windows, cross-ventilation should be taken care of. It is essential to fix doors and windows opposite to each other to have better light and air.

Entrance Door To the House

The entrance door should also be taken in consideration while the application of Vastu to your house. Entrance door should be in North, East or North East of the house. The entrance door size should always be larger than the other doors of the house.

Number of Entrances

Many houses may have more than one entrance on the frontage. Some rules however, have to be followed for providing these doors. If there is only one main entrance door to the house then more wealth is expected over other factors. If there are two doors in the entrance then a comfortable life for the inmates can be expected. If there are three doors than it is harmful to the residents. If more than three doors are provided as main entrance than it causes many problems.

Designing Doors with Vastu Principles

When it comes to designing doors, Vastu Shastra offers valuable insights to enhance positive energy flow and create a harmonious entrance. Here are some guidelines for door decoration:

1. Lakshmi and Elephants (Only for East facing):

    • Consider carving or incorporating an image of Goddess Lakshmi (the deity of wealth and prosperity) seated on a lotus with elephants. This symbolizes abundance and blessings.
    • Elephants are revered in Vastu as symbols of strength, stability, and good fortune.

2. Traditional Guard Images:

    • Carve or include traditional guard images (such as dwarapalakas) near the entrance. These guardians protect the household and ward off negative energies.

3. Gods of Wealth Emitting Coins (only for North facing):

    • Decorate the door with depictions of gods associated with wealth, like Kubera. Images showing them emitting coins or blessings are auspicious.

4. Bird Motifs (only for Northwest facing) :

    • Birds like parrots, peacocks, and swans are considered positive symbols. Use their images in door decorations.
    • Peacocks represent beauty and grace, while swans symbolize purity.

5. Nature Art:

    • Nature-themed paintings or carvings can enhance the entrance. Scenes of serene landscapes, flowers and flowing water (only at North to Northeast zone) evoke positive vibes.
    • Avoid aggressive or war-related imagery.

6. Placement Considerations:

    • Be mindful of placement. Avoid placing god images on the outer side of the door. Instead, position them inside the house.
    • Outer-facing deities may inadvertently attract negative energy.

Interior Design of Doors

A door, whether hinged, sliding, or folding, serves as a functional barrier—an entry and exit point to a building or room. However, its significance has evolved beyond mere utility. In today’s context, doors make lasting first impressions, and the front entry speaks volumes about the character of a home. We traverse doors countless times—from the day we enter this world to the day we depart. Remarkably, this seemingly utilitarian architectural element holds immense influence.

Doors fulfill various purposes: allowing light, providing warmth, facilitating ventilation, granting access, and framing views. A thoughtfully designed door can transform a living space dramatically. Regional variations dictate door dimensions, reflecting cultural norms and practical needs. While historically doors were primarily defensive structures, today we revel in a rich panorama of door designs.

For designers, the challenge lies not only in creating aesthetically pleasing doors but also in crafting a multisensory experience. Every detail matters, from the choice of materials to the design of door knobs. A well-executed door transcends mere functionality—it becomes an integral part of the overall ambiance.

Interior Design of Doors and Windows

1. Entry Doors: The front door serves as the most eye-catching feature of a house. It should harmonize with the overall architectural style. Whether viewed from inside or outside, entry doors become integral parts of a home’s design. Options range from modern glass doors to gothic-style, multi-paneled, or arched doors.

2. Interior Doors: Interior doors connect rooms and play both functional and aesthetic roles. Varieties include simple flush doors, traditional wooden doors, and elegant glass doors. Frosted or beveled glass doors allow natural light while maintaining privacy.

3. Glass Doors: Glass door designs emphasize sensuous sophistication and detailed elegance. Decorative glass options transform doors into works of art. Stained, etched, mirrored, painted, or sandblasted glass panels diffuse light, creating a bright yet gentle ambiance.

4. Metal Doors: Impressive for their intricate and bold surfaces, metal doors withstand heavy use in both interior and exterior applications. Copper, bronze, brass, and pewter are popular metal finishes for doors.

5. Carved Doors: In classically designed houses, doors are treated as showpieces. Carved decorations add elegance and permanence, turning wooden panels into works of art. Originally intended for grand houses, these highly ornamented doors make a statement.

6. Paneled Doors: Elaborately molded and exuberantly carved, paneled doors cope well with various weather conditions. They require minimal maintenance due to fine joinery and thoughtful material use.

7. French Doors: French or sliding doors link living spaces to gardens, doubling as view walls. Achieve a sense of accessibility and openness through these doors.

8. Windows: Windows provide fresh air and natural light, enhancing our daily lives. Place windows on exterior walls, avoiding openings within rooms. Larger windows should face northeast, while smaller ones can be in the southwest. Consider even numbers of windows (when counted in total), avoiding multiples of 10.

9. Sun Shades: Construct sunshades above doors and windows with slopes toward the northeast. This ensures rainwater flows from southwest to northeast, maintaining positive energy.

Remember that thoughtful door and window design significantly impacts the overall aesthetics and functionality of your living space!