Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal with Solid Wood Doors

Published: March 16, 2021

Are you looking for ideas to upgrade your home's exterior that will get you the most bang for your buck? Replacing your front entry door with a new custom wood door and designing your entryway around it is a very cost-effective way to boost your curb appeal.

Estate Millwork currently offers a wide variety of door designs to give you the ability to choose a door completely unique to your home. While it might seem extreme your front door can make or break your home's curb appeal, whether it is in disrepair or merely the wrong style for your home your front door can portray a negative impression to neighbors and visitors.

Historically Accurate

In your region or neighborhood the homes may have been built in a certain design style relative to the period of time in which it was constructed, whether your home is a cape cod, a craftsman home or one of the many other home design styles there is a door style for you. For example if you live in a Victorian home you don't want to install a more modern front door as this will detract from your homes overall appearance. The doors you would typically see in on these homes would be raised panel or mission style doors.

Contemporary

Even though some will use the terms modern and contemporary interchangeably but these terms can mean very different things. Many newer homes tend to incorporate a variety of American architecture elements from past traditions but won't have one set style. Contemporary homes incorporate materials like stucco, siding, veneers and other similar building materials to make them unique. Doors in this category would be French doors and either flat or raised panel doors.

Traditional

Traditional front doors pretty much describe themselves; these doors don't include a ton of extra designer elements. Typically these are single entry doors and can have sidelights that will in scale with the door itself. This is probably the most common door seen on homes today, and is a great look on a wide variety of homes. This door type has probably the widest variety of options but you would typically see mission doors, flat panel, and even some types on single French doors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood species work best for interior doors?

Poplar is the most popular choice for painted interior doors due to its smooth grain and affordability. For stained doors, Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut each offer distinctive grain patterns and color tones. The best species depends on whether you plan to paint or stain.

How are custom wood doors different from big-box store doors?

Custom wood doors are built to your exact dimensions using solid hardwood and traditional joinery methods like mortise and tenon. Big-box store doors are typically hollow-core or use engineered materials. Custom doors offer superior sound insulation, durability, and a solid feel that mass-produced doors cannot match.

Can I order a custom door in a non-standard size?

Yes. Estate Millwork builds every door to your specified width and height. Whether you need a narrow pantry door, an oversized entry door, or a door to fit a historic opening with non-standard dimensions, we can accommodate your requirements.

What door styles does Estate Millwork offer?

We offer louvered, raised panel, flat panel, French, barn, arched, and mission style doors. Each style is available in multiple wood species and can be ordered painted or unfinished. Our online designer lets you configure every detail and see an instant price quote.

Design Considerations for Custom Wood Doors

Measure the rough opening, not the existing door, when ordering a replacement. Include the width, height, and wall thickness so the door and jamb fit correctly.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, choose a harder wood species like White Oak or Maple that resists dents and wear better than softer species.
Louvered doors are an excellent choice for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces because the slats promote air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and musty odors.
When matching new doors to existing trim, bring a sample of your current wood or finish to compare. Estate Millwork offers the same species and can match stain colors for a cohesive look.