Custom Door Buying Guide
Custom wood doors bring a level of craftsmanship and character that factory-made alternatives simply cannot match. Whether you need a solid plank door for a rustic entryway, a board and batten design for a carriage house, or a unique architectural statement piece, building to order means every dimension, wood species, and detail is exactly what your project requires.
Plank and Board & Batten Construction
Plank doors are among the oldest door designs, consisting of solid wood boards joined edge to edge to form a single sturdy slab. They deliver a clean, substantial look that works in both modern and traditional settings. Board and batten doors add horizontal or diagonal cross pieces (battens) across the back of the planks for additional strength and visual interest on the reverse side.
Estate Millwork custom doors use tongue and groove joinery between planks, reinforced with concealed splines for a seamless face. This is fundamentally different from the hollow-core or veneer-over-particleboard construction found in home centers. Our doors are solid wood through and through, built to last generations.
Wood Species and Finishes
Mahogany is the premier choice for custom doors due to its stability, workability, and rich natural color that deepens with age. For exterior applications, mahogany resists warping and moisture damage better than most domestic hardwoods. White oak is an excellent alternative when you want prominent grain character and exceptional hardness. Spanish cedar provides a lighter tone with natural insect and rot resistance.
Every door can be ordered unfinished for on-site staining or painting, factory primed for a smooth paint-ready surface, or stained to your specification. For exterior doors, we recommend a marine-grade spar varnish or quality exterior stain to protect against UV and moisture.
Sizing and Hardware Preparation
Custom doors are built to your exact measurements, which is essential for older homes with non-standard openings and new construction with oversized entries. Standard thicknesses are 1-3/8 inches for interior doors and 1-3/4 inches for exterior, though we can produce any thickness your project demands. Doors can be prepped for specific hinge and lockset placements or shipped without boring for maximum flexibility on site.
Use the Customize button on any style above to enter your dimensions, choose your wood, and get instant pricing. Our online designer shows a real-time rendering of your door as you make selections.
