Why You Should Have a Wooden Exterior Door: What You Need to Know

Published: March 25, 2021

Wood doors have a rich sense of character and beauty all their own that steel or fiberglass doors do not. Perhaps this can be attributed to the unique patterns of their natural wood grains, wood doors often have stained instead of painted to bring out this texture creating a heavy and durable feel. Wooden front doors can be a stunning way to make a statement at your front entry and also give guests an idea of what awaits in your home's interior spaces.

Benefits of Wooden Exterior Doors

As previously noted the natural wood grain is one of the most attractive features of a wooden exterior door. As with wood furniture in your home, there are numerous options of wood to choose from when it comes to your door. You can have everything from a beautiful teak to a traditional oak or mahogany or even a more rustic cedar or knotty alder along with plenty of selections that fall somewhere in between. You can customize the finish of your door with a stain or paint of your choice to match or contrast the exterior of your home. Stains are often the most popular choice because it allows you to show the wood's natural grain.

All of our wooden entry doors are constructed of solid wood, meaning you have superior durability and insulation. This will not only help with security concerns and energy savings, but wood doors can also reduce the amount of noise you hear from the outdoors.

One of the more attractive qualities of wood doors for some homeowners is that they can be custom made to fit any size opening or trimmed to a specific size doorway. When it comes to doors wood is a material that easy to work with and can be made to fit your exact needs.

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.