Choosing the Best Wood for your Exterior Front Door

Published: September 03, 2021

Beautiful Raised Panel float-endont exterior door

Beautifully designed wooden exterior doors enhance your home's exterior style and make a bold and lasting statement. There are several other materials out there that try and replicate the look of an exterior wooden door but these do not compare to the enduring and time tested beauty of real wood.

The weight and strength of a solid wood front door is unmatched in elegance and quality that will resonate for years to come. When it comes to choosing a new wooden exterior door; quality hardwoods that can withstand the everyday abuse and exterior elements are the preferred choice.

Sun Exposure

One of the most important factors is the doors exposure to the sun. If the door is facing between north and northeast with an overhang or awning you will have many years of maintenance free beauty before you need to refinish the door. Meanwhile if your door is southern facing with minimal cover and receiving long periods of sun exposure this door will likely require more regular maintenance to compete with the sun and other exterior elements.

Durability

When it comes to your exterior wood door the aesthetics come second to the material you choose for your new door. When choosing a wood for your door it should highly durable, decay resistant and be able to weather the seasonal changes with minimum swelling or shrinking. When it comes to exterior wood doors we recommend woods such as mahogany, cedar, oak or even knotty alder.

Door Types

Estate Millwork offers many different types and styles of doors that can be used as exterior doors. Visit one of our designers to get started designing your new exterior wood door or get an instant quote today.