Custom Entrance Doors

Authors Website: http://www.affinitydoors.com/

Designing your first custom door can be a daunting task, but there are many resources to take advantage of when looking for inspiration. By keeping an open mind and having patience, you can create a custom wooden doorway that matches your own personal style.

The first thing to consider is the type of home you are designing your door for. A historic, early nineteenth-century farmhouse is going to require a different set of aesthetics compared to a custom-built transitional. Historic nineteenth century homes tend to have more simple designs crafted of oak, maple, and other hard woods. Typical of the time, these doors were paneled, and were usually painted to help preserve the character of the wood beneath.

By the late 19th Century the Beaux-Arts style began to take hold in the United States. A style based on ornamentation and fine craftsmanship, doors of this period were often highly ornamented works that were larger than previous styles. This was also the first time when other materials besides wood were incorporated into the making of the door. In some cases doors were encased in bronze or copper sheets with pressed designs. These doors, while highly ornamented, typically require substantial restoration work as the metal sheeting was thin.

The beginning of the 20th Century brought about a more simplistic style of door that reflected the Arts and Crafts movement. These doors were elegant and were the first to incorporate sheet glass. This addition increased the amount of light brought into entranceways. A perfect example of this is the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA. Frank Lloyd Wright's early architecture reflected this style.

Today's houses reflect the rich history and tradition of past styles, with an individual character all their own. Houses today incorporate wood, iron, and glass to marvelous effect. Because homebuilders are not restricted to only using siding, brick, or stone, the door has taken on a much more flexible meaning.

Once you have determined the style of home, a good place to look for inspiration is in your local neighborhood to see other doors in your area. Other places to look include architectural books and magazines. There are also great online resources with pre-designed door plans that can be used as a starting point. Local designers and architects can also be of great assistance when converting a good idea into a CAD drawing. CAD drawings are computer assisted design plans that convert your concept into something a craftsman can convert into an actual door. Whether you look to the past, look in books, or look in your neighborhood for inspiration, designing a custom door can be a way to make a great first impression.

© 2008 Affinity Doors

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