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Recommendations For New Solid Wood Front Door

last year

Hello! I’m looking for a new solid wood front door, but a little spooked by issues with some manufacturers. I got s new back door from Pella that has been nothing but problems. I heard Simpson was good, but also read a lot of horrible reviews. What manufacturers are reputable that you recommend?

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Comments (10)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I actually never prefer wood exterior doors . Where do you live / Why wood? It is hard to suggest anything without some info.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
I work prdomintly in a historic district that requires wood doors. Old wood doors that are solid and have tight grain are great. New wood doors with veneer over staves- meh. At my office water started leaking through the door panel after the first rain and the manufacturers warranty won't cover it because their warranty only applies if you have 14' of cover over the door!!! Custom solid hardwood doors are better in my experience, sapele, cypress, cedar...
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Simpson is in my opinion the best "off the shelf wood door" available. Jeldwen is a pretty good door it was better when Morgan owned them but they were dumbed down a little in my opinion when they were purchased by Jeldwen. As far as the Aurora F/G door this if I am not mistaken is the IWP doors which were at the time before Jeldwen purchased them shaky at best in my honest opinion and I have seen no evidence in any of the products Jeldwen produces that they are higher quality than under the prior manufacturers.
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Didn't your sales rep recommend the factory finish? Or did you buy it at a box store? Anyway, finishing fiberglass doors is much different than wood because it's not porous. We use a base coat (not primer) followed by two topcoats. I can't share the brand with you because it is a proprietary finsihing product available through authorized finishers only. The product we use requires drying at 100 degrees for 24 hours. Pella should have a finishing instruction sheet with the door. If not, call Therma-Tru or Perma Door. The door may be made by one of them and then labeled Pella. Michael
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Hi, I'm curious why you want to stay away from veneered furniture. Excellent quality furniture all through the ages has had veneers. So has junk, you just have to know what you're buying. A veneer over another wood is often done for a structural reason. Veneer over particle board is done to reduce cost. Is there something in particular that drives you to solid wood?
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Andrew
last year
Yes, I agree with HALLETT. The best results are going to come from a custom door, and you may be able to find a skilled local manufacturer for a similar price to the larger manufacturers if you are savvy.
J
Original Author
last year
Thank you! My current door is solid oak, and in good condition, but the style was never appropriate for my house (the moulding and glass style). I’m in the Chicago area…anyone happen to know a local fabricator that’s great?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I think look for cypress it should be the best choice IMO if solid wood is a must.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
J can your current door be reworked? I had a solid wood door at my last house which had an elaborate leaded glass panel, I made a panel to match it that matched the rest of the door.
J
Original Author
last year
@HLAAETT, it would be ideal if it could be reworked, but I’m not sure how to find the right person to do it. I have looked into glass companies replacing the glass (to make a little better), but can’t even get anyone to provide a quote as it’s too small of a job.
Seabornman
last year
I have Simpson doors and they've been great, however they are under substantial roof overhangs so rarely get rain. They are a veneered door, like most "wood" doors these days, with engineered wood insides.
Maureen
last year
last modified: last year
Good reviews. Not sure if you searched on line; hope this helps.
chisue
last year
Evanston Lumber is where we bought our alder wood (stained mahogany) entry door in 2001. I can never remember which name comes first, but think it's Jeld-Wen. This is a 42" wide archtop within an arched surround with side lights, but I'm sure they have stand alone *doors*. We have a 6' deep covered entry over this north-facing door. It's been great -- one refurbishing in 20 years. A lumber yard should have names of carpenters to recommend to you. Door-hanging is an art.

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