Ours are Durango doors and we love them. Not sure the gauge, but they are heavy and require a firm closing to be really closed. No problems with seasonal changes, but we're in Texas and I think the coldest it got this year was 29. Maintenance is cleaning the dog snot off the inside and the red clay off the outside. As for getting roasting hot in the summer, I don't recall it getting that hot last year, but we have a covered entry so that makes a difference. It faces the east so every morning the sun shines through brightly and where the dog takes up occupancy, hence the dog snot. Ours are scrolled iron with glass that opens in for cleaning. We paid $6495 without hardware for them and honestly I don't know how difficult they were to install because we built from 1300 miles away and weren't here. The builder didn't mention them being a problem. One thing I do know about them is that when we first moved it they didn't close perfectly and Durango sent a rep out the very next day to adjust the door and the weatherstripping. We are very pleased. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow if you'd like, or you could go to the durango door website. The model we ordered is called shoals.

So when you say design and style, what exactly are you picturing? Honestly,I am not sure that I like all the swirls and the metal might be a little heavy looking. I think this kind of door probably fits a really big house, bigger than mine. My builder said for me to look at ThermaTru doors. Anyone used those? I found one that I like 81981p, I will have double 3x8, stained in a dark brown. Anyone have this door :) When I say I found one that I like, that means the one I like today and tomorrow I will be here asking everyone for advice on several other doors. Thank you as always.

pattid- Thanks so much! I will check out Michael's...We do have that store around here! I had no idea they carried them. caramia- thanks! I did check out ebay but the only one I like is too big for my doorway. Susan- That's a great site! I didn't see one in the size I need but I saw alot of other things I really liked! Thanks!

If everything else is going to be white, then the headboard will look out of place being black. Does everything have to be white? fwiw, Shabby Chic stores have many vintage pieces and they are not white. Actually, Ashwell has headed away from all furniture being white. Even the wooden beds the stores sell are a soft gray. There is a white poster bed with a distressed finished. Check out her blog (linked on the home page, far right) for more pictures. Her website does not show vintage pieces for sale, but there are some in the photos. Can you post pictures of the room and other things going in it? DD1 lives in San Francisco and has been decorating with SC furniture and bedding for five years now. She has gone from mostly white and pink to mostly soft gray with touches of color in accessories (pillows, artwork, etc) Here is a link that might be useful: Shabby Chic website