The front door of a home always makes the first impression. It makes a style statement and gives a hint on what people can expect when they walk through the door. Preferences change, trends may come and go, but the classic, elegant look of a solid wooden door is here to stay. Wood is timeless and natural appeal makes it an ideal material for any luxe project which cannot be replicated by fibreglass or steel. Here is a design and material guide to help you choose the right door for interiors and outdoors among the various wood door manufacturers.

Entry Door for Apartments

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Contemporary solid wooden door made of Western Hemlock

The entry door extends a warm and friendly welcome to your abode hence selecting an entryway can be completely overwhelming, but fortunately this design and material guide will provide a few helpful tips. Wood species used for doors need to meet very demanding conditions and be tough enough to withstand natural Doors elements of wind, rain, scorching sun, yet at the same time be durable and look good to meet your design sensibilities.

 

Your front door should fit in architecturally with the rest of your home. But you can take the opportunity to let this it say something about your personality as well. Design styles range from the traditional – colonial, cottage, craftman, ranch, split level and Victorian to the contemporary – solid wooden doors with glass or metal inserts. Western Hemlock and Douglas-fir are well-suited for this application. Hemlock’s lighter, creamier colour accepts a variety of stains and finishes,making it a designers dream. Douglas-fir on the other hand is stronger than Teak and characterised by tight, vertical grain and warm colouring giving it an enduring appeal.

Exterior Doors for Villas & Hotels

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Western Hemlock carved door stained to a walnut finish(left) and Douglas-firrustic designed solid door (right) on display at Canadian Wood’s office in Mumbai

Wood used for exterior doors must be highly durable, and provide excellent dimensional stability by having a low tangential to radial shrinkage (T/R) ratio. A low T/R value makes these wood species less prone to shrinking and swelling when in service – A nightmare most homeowners face
during monsoons.
When choosing the right kind of specie for an exterior door, one can look at Western Red Cedar and Yellow-Cedar. Western Red Cedar and Yellow-Cedar possess properties which make them naturally resistant to termites, rot and decay,making them the perfect choice for any outdoor
use. Its markedly fine and stable grain structure will not allow the door to warp or twist, ensuring years of reliable operation.

 

Solid Wood or Flush Doors?

Generally heavier and more traditional in style,wooden doors are an all-time favourite. From the antique Haveli doors in Rajasthan to the hand carved doors in Kerala, India has always had a love affair with wood. Indians love the substantial weight of a wooden door which adds a sense of security and sturdiness to your home. However, a solid wooden door with hand carvings can set you back by a few lakhs!
A more economical option is the use of flush doors. Featuring veneer on both sides of the construction with a solid or hollow core, most flush doors have free-floating center panels surrounded by stile-and-rail frames. Spruce-Pine-Fir’s (SPF) strength and stability makes it ideal in the framing of a flush door.

Suggested Read: Flush Door vs. Panel Door

Door Frames

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Chaukhat in Yellow-Cedar STK

Chaukhats as they are called is the key to a long lasting door. Door frames made of Yellow-Cedar STK grade are strong, stable and resist attacks from termites and rot. Consumers today can even buy a complete door set with chaukat and the door.

 

The Wonders of Wood

For decades wood has held a special place in architectural usage, earlier as an only option to becoming a popular choice today. A wooden door can be custom crafted in any shape or size and all
types of mouldings, carvings, panel configurations, stains, finishes and looks can be incorporated. Given the technology and labour available in the country, wooden doors are also relatively easier and cheaper to repair and maintain.

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Large entrance door made of solid wooden Yellow-cedar
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Sleek and simple solid wooden door of Western Hemlock

 

Green is Good

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your door as well as its energy efficiency, you can purchase a door made from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) which assures you that the wood was sustainably grown and harvested.
Artistically appealing and highly versatile, wood offers limitless possibilities in interiors and outdoor space. Considering the numerous benefits wood comes with, it has definitely caught the imagination and interest of many homeowners.

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