Custom Front Doors and Entry Doors: An In-Depth Look

Published: March 18, 2021

Your home's entry door adds more than aesthetics, it provides safety and insulates you and your home from the outside elements. The front door you choose should represent you and your style all while not detracting from your homes curb appeal.

Our custom entry doors are available in a variety of materials and designs. Each door can be customized to your exact measurements and finish; our custom doors can even be ordered complete with door jamb and door casings making them ready to install.

Entry Door Types

Paneled Doors

Raised Panel and Flat Panel doors are great options for front or rear entry doors. These door styles are rugged and timeless options that you still see on many homes today. Paneled doors consist of at least 2 stiles and at least 2 rails with one or more panels in between. Raised panel is exactly how it sounds, where the panel in the middle of the door is raised up to be almost flush with the rails and stiles; these panels usually also have decorative profiling around them. While the panel in a flat panel door is a recessed panel that is flat with no profiling features.

French Doors

The French door has a long history and it often used in situations where the homeowner wants to allow an abundance of natural light inside the home. These doors come in a variety of different configurations and glass sizes to allow more or less light to pass through. French doors can be hung as a single door or as the very popular option double doors that give the homeowner a larger door opening.

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.