| Custom Entry Doors have recently become almost a | | | | Glass, Decorative Glass, Leaded Glass, Stained Glass, |
| fad in many towns. There are 100's of designs, styles | | | | Clavos(Large Tacks), Speakeasy Doors and Grills, |
| , colors, wood species available. Most of these doors | | | | Sidelites,Transom Windows. I would suggest you |
| are being imported from China. Although there are still | | | | search your favorite wood browse under "Custom |
| some manufacturers in the United Stated that are | | | | Entry Door" and find a design you like. Next, find a |
| producing them locally. The "Import Doors" usually are | | | | local manufacturer to manufacturer the design you |
| made from chinese lumber. They have Chinese | | | | want. Also, you can go to and look under Entry |
| grown trees which resemble some of our North | | | | Doors for ideas and suppliers. |
| American trees but they are not the same. You will | | | | As mentioned earlier, there are several towns where |
| find the pricing of these import doors is quite | | | | "Custom Entry Doors" have almost become a fad. It |
| competitive. You will also find that there is rarely any | | | | seems like one homeowner is trying to out do the |
| warranty available on these import doors. | | | | other. In the Chicagoland area, you can actually drive |
| Much of the wood in China is air dried and you will | | | | around certain towns and see your fair share of |
| find very few Kilns in these parts. The result is that | | | | unique doors. I have found that the towns with the |
| the wood has not been dried properly and there is a | | | | most character in their "custom entry doors" include: |
| chance of failure in these doors. Namely, there may | | | | Hinsdale, Oakbook, Lake Forest, Highland Park in the |
| be too much humidity in the wood and it increases | | | | state of Illinois. |
| the chances for the door to warp. Most doors made | | | | The most popular wood species for entry doors |
| in North America use kiln dried lumber. Many of the | | | | include: Mahogany, Oak, Alder, Maple, and Walnut. I |
| North American Door Manufacturers use an | | | | would recommend a hardwood door because it will |
| engineered wood substrate as an interior core. The | | | | be less likely to scratch or be damaged. Also, |
| engineered wood is suppose to reduce the amount | | | | important is the finish. Be sure to use a clear coat |
| of movement in the door. Many of these custom | | | | with UV protectors. Many contractors use Spar |
| entry doors have only 1/8" or 1/4" solid wood | | | | Varnish but there are some better products out |
| veneers on the exterior and the interior core is an | | | | there. I prefer an Exterior Finish which made in italy |
| engineered wood. Although there are few companies | | | | called ICA. There is also another high end finish called |
| still existing the the US that built the doors out of | | | | "West System". |
| "Solid Wood". I believe the best quality door is still the | | | | The custom entry doors can range from |
| Solid Wood Door. You don't have to worry about | | | | $2000-$10,000 for an import and from $5,000 to |
| screws getting stripped or delaminating of the | | | | $50,000 for an intricate door system (Sidelites, |
| veneers. | | | | transom windows, oversized door). |
| If you would like to find a custom designed entry | | | | If you have any questions regarding custom entry |
| door made in America, I would suggest you search | | | | doors please feel free to email me at I have been |
| "Google" under "Custom Entry Door". Also, you can | | | | custom designing and manufacturing entry doors at |
| go to and search under "Doors Wood". | | | | my manufacturing facility for many years. I have |
| There are an endless number of design choices in | | | | been in business for 29 years. |
| custom entry doors. You will see Wrought Iron, | | | | |