Carriage style doors are generally all built on a base panel made of a 1" to 1 3/8" x 2 1/2" to 3" wood frame. High quality doors (Hahn Woodworking) make the frame out of a decay resistant hardwood (Meranti mahogany, etc.), medium quality doors (Designer Doors) use Douglas Fir, and the lower quality doors (Overhead) use hemlock. Designer doors makes two models A & B in order to better compete with the brands above and below. The basic frame is faced with with 1/4" plywood usually on both sides (Designer only on inside). The plywwod is often luan mahogany but some is "super-ply"(Designer) The best doors prime all sides of all components before assembly (Hahn) some only after assembly (Designer) and some only partially (Overhead). Wood styles and rails and T&G paneling are added to the outer face of this basic door unit. Hahn uses clear Spanish cedar full 1" thick styles & rails butted against 3/4" T&G paneling with biscuit glued joinery and face-grain wood plugs over recessed screws into the framing. They claim 200 screws per door. Each panel is assembled separately. Designer uses clear western red cedar 5/8" thick styles and rails over-laid on top of 9/16" thick T&G paneling with putty over recessed screws . The entire door is built and then cut into separate panels. Overhead uses clear western red cedar 3/4" thick and T&G paneling glued and blind nailed. The total thickness varies from 2 1/2" to 2 7/8". Of course the front edge of this door assembly aligns (in both directions) with the inside corner of the trimmed door opening so the tracks must be set to accommodate this thickness. Polystyrene foam board insulation fills the door panel cavities. Some doors use the extruded kind (Styrofoam) and some use the expanded type (white beadboard). R values range from 5 to 7.7 The more expensive custom doors (Hahn & Designer) will consider a 9'x8' high door to be a standard size. The cheaper doors usually consider 9'x7' high door to be standard. Some provide chain drive openers, others provide belt drive openers. Some use Chamberlain Co. but Overhead has their own brand. Some provide a 3/4 hp motor, others 1/2 hp. Some use overhead torsion springs, others extension springs along the rails. There are too many glass options to describe. Some use a heavier galvanized steel track. Some offer powder coated tracks. Designer has weep holes, the others don't. All of the doors are installed by the manufacturers or their authorized agents. I would guess the approximate cost of a 9'x8' door, installed, would range from $5,000 to $2,000 assuming decorative paneling and glass. These manufacturers use different details at the horizontal panel joints with differing degrees of overlap. I'll post the details if I ever find them. Of course the manufacturers may have changed their designs in the past two years.

I would use what ever door product is strong in your area. If you use Wayne dalton, STAY AWAY FROM THE TORKMASTER SYSTEM. It is a spring inside of a pipe. I have never seen one that works well, and no one,(even Wayne dalton)seems to want to service them. Their doors without this system are very good,if medium to top quality. Amarr is very good, Clopay Sold by Home Depot is also good. Don't just buy PRICE. Try to buy a steel door with a "steel backing". Most of the doors that are priced right are "hollow" in the back and very "tinny". Clopay model 4050 or the Amarr Weatherguard are two that I like myself, (I sell and install garage doors). They have steel backcovers, and are quite solid. There are many others just as good, but just try to stay with a steel door with a steel backcover. Dan

I'd like to know as well. Our old garage was just torn down and in the process of framing our new one. I keep reading negative things about all materials- - bringing me back to square one. It will only be 336 sq ft- -and isn't seen from the street. But it is where we entertain and I'm picky -- prefer stained wood - carriage style. I'll need a double and single Man door as well. How much will I be spending for something decent.

Thank you for choosing ProVia as your entry door choice. I am glad to assist you regarding your questions. First, let me explain that the fiberglass woodgrain texture feels and looks like a true woodgrain. It will take to a stain or paint beautifully giving your entry way a look of beauty and elegance. For an entryway, we recommend our fiberglass door. We have several glass options and stain options that will best complement your 'painted lady' home. Secondly, if you choose a textured steel woodgrain, it will have an embossed pattern that will look like woodgrain, but not a deep grain that the fiberglass woodgrain offers. Our steel doors are excellent for both security and beauty. Please visit our website to see all of the available door options you can choose from. You can also call our excellent customer service department to find a dealer nearest you. Our customer service is available Mon - Fri. 8am - 5pm Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for choosing ProVia. ProVia's Mission: To serve, by caring for details in ways others won�t Here is a link that might be useful: Signet entry doors