Custom Wood Door FAQ
General questions are first. Technical sizing and installation questions are below.
General
What is a custom wood door?
A custom wood door is made to order instead of pulled from stock. High quality wood doors are usually not kept in inventory because each one must be set up for the project. The height, width, way it opens, design, glass, color, and wood finish are chosen before the door is made.
What are the benefits of a wood door?
Wood doors offer the most flexibility in appearance, size, and design. They can be stained to show the natural wood grain or painted for a traditional painted wood look.
They are also available in more sizes than fiberglass doors, including extra tall, extra wide, and unusual sizes. For historic homes, a wood door can be made to match the original proportions, panels, glass, mouldings, and architectural details.
What factors influence the cost of a custom wood door?
The cost of a custom wood door depends mainly on the quality of construction and how complicated the door is to make. Better materials, stronger construction, detailed designs, glass, unusual shapes, and factory finishing all increase the price.
The lowest cost option is usually a standard size rectangular door with no glass and a common design. Extra tall, extra wide, round top, and Dutch doors cost more because they require additional materials and more work to build.
Do fiberglass doors cost less than wood doors?
A stock fiberglass door costs much less than a custom wood door. Premium fiberglass doors can cost nearly as much as a custom wood door, but are generally priced a little lower.
Fiberglass doors are made in a limited range of standard sizes and designs. A custom wood door can be made to match an unusual size, historic design, or existing architectural details. Fiberglass doors may not fit the appearance of a historic home and are not always approved in historic areas.
What is the best wood for an exterior door?
The quality of the door’s construction is just as important as the wood species. High quality exterior doors often use engineered wood components to help reduce warping, swelling, and shrinking.
Mahogany is one of the best all around choices. It contains natural compounds that help resist decay and has an attractive grain.
Douglas fir is commonly used because it has a clean, straight grain and takes paint or stain well. It usually costs less than mahogany.
White oak is strong, naturally resistant to decay, and has a prominent grain that looks especially good when stained.
Ordering from Classic Door
Can I really order a custom wood door online?
Yes. Think of it as Carvana for custom doors. Choose the design and place your order online without having every technical detail figured out. After checkout, a real door expert helps finalize the order. Nothing is made until you review and approve the final specifications.
What is the process for online door orders?
Choose your door and place the order online. After checkout, you will receive a link to schedule a consultation by Zoom, phone, SMS, or in person at the Classic Door showroom.
During the consultation, the final order details are confirmed. Nothing goes into production until you review and approve the final door specifications. Once approved, the approximately 12 week production time begins.
How long does a custom wood door take to make?
A custom wood door takes approximately 12 weeks to make after you approve the final door specifications. You purchase the door online first, then review and sign off on the final order. The 12 week production time does not begin until that approval is complete, so delays in approving the order will delay the door.
How do I know the quality of the doors?
Every door is built to “fine furniture” standards, following the requirements established by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), the benchmark for quality in the door and millwork industry.
According to the independent AWI, Premium Grade is:
"One of three aesthetic grades in regard to material and workmanship. Intended for the finest work. Recommended for high visibility areas in which a design professional or owner wants to make a “statement”. The exacting tolerances and stricter guidelines for materials required in premium grade reflect a higher dollar value."
Do I need to know the exact door size before ordering?
No. You can choose your door design and place the order without having the final measurements figured out. After checkout, a Classic Door expert will work with you to confirm the exact size and other details. Nothing goes into production until you review and approve the final specifications.
Why do I need a consultation after buying online?
Buying online starts your order, but the door is not made until the final details are confirmed. The consultation ensures the door is ordered correctly and gives you a chance to review everything before approving production.
The consultation can be completed by Zoom, phone, SMS, or in person at the Classic Door showroom.
Can I cancel my custom wood door order?
Yes. You can cancel within 30 days of purchase, as long as you have not signed the Final Specification Document. Once you sign it, the door is released to production and the order can no longer be canceled.
Paint and Stain
What is prefinishing on a door?
Prefinishing means the door is painted or stained and sealed before it is delivered. It costs more upfront, but the door arrives finished and ready to install instead of needing to be painted or stained at the job site.