1. Introduction
The best thing about a Craftsman-style door, be it stain grade or paint grade, is the fact that it’s a simple design that makes a statement. Paint grade doors are typically a basic flat panel design. Stain grade doors are more often raised panel or a basic flat panel design. Both styles usually have divided lite either at the top with a shelf or one in the middle of the door. Glass options are plentiful, but the most desirable option is an insulated beveled glass. An intricate design and various wood species types are available. Basically, it’s a custom door to your liking.
Front door styles and options have changed more in the last 10 years than any other space in the home. It’s become an extension of the homeowner’s personality and a design element that makes a statement. Entry doors are also the first line of defense against the outside elements. Choosing the right door can make your home more energy efficient and secure. There are many doors to choose from, but if it’s the Craftsman style you’re seeking, wood doors are a must. When restoring the home to its original style, pre-hung doors (interior and exterior) are one of the easiest, albeit most expensive, design improvements. Hurry and get out the hammer and nails and get ready to give your home that desired Craftsman Elegance result. This style is easy to achieve and makes a significant difference in your home’s design. First, let’s start off with the exterior of the door.
1.1. Importance of an Entry Door
A suitable modern replacement may have to come from a specialized manufacturer who will charge more than the off-the-shelf doors found in most door stores today. A homeowner who is attempting to improve the function, aesthetics, and efficiency of their original entry door will likely choose to purchase a custom door. A custom door is a significant investment but may still be the best course of action as the homeowner will be able to recreate a suitable design and size and choose materials of higher quality than available in off-the-shelf doors today. With modern insulating and finishing techniques, the door can be made to last much longer than the original.
For the most part, the original Craftsman was a modest-sized one or one and a half-story bungalow-style home. Thus, the entry door is a standard-sized door, much smaller than found in the grand homes of the era. This makes the entry door easier for the homeowner to remove, refinish, or recreate if a suitable modern replacement that ruins the aesthetics of the original can be found and the cost is not prohibitive.
The entry door is a key focal point in the original Craftsman home, and as such, it makes a statement about the quality and aesthetics of the entire house. Much architectural detail is centered on and around the front door.
1.2. Craftsman Elegance Defined
Utilization of simple patterns and textures of the wood and its formation are also defining traits of craftsman doors. Craftsman doors will display a series of smaller wood patterns that complement and form the larger ones that are required by the panel and lite formation. A common example is the Z pattern door. This takes form of doorgate that uses diagonal wood patterns to form a “Z” shape.
Craftsman doors are almost always constructed using a high quality wood, with the goal of showing off the natural wood finish. Woods like oak, Douglas fir, and mahogany are popular choices for craftsman doors. The finish often consists of a stain and clear coat, as paints are rarely used due to their high maintenance nature.
One of the most distinct features of craftsman entry doors are the utilization of different size wood patterns to form a larger pattern usually within the top half of the door. A 6-lite craftsman door is a prime example of this pattern.
Craftsman-style homes have an architectural trait that provides a warm welcome to visitors and creates a comfortable living environment. Central to this level of hospitality is the front entry, specifically the entry door. Craftsman entry doors are the epitome of function and style. They invite a family, friends, and guests in while keeping the outside elements out. They are also one of the first things that a visitor takes notice of when approaching the home. Craftsman entry doors are defined by following traits.
2. Choosing the Right Entry Door
When choosing an entry door, it is important to remember that this will be the first sight of your home that visitors will see. Hence, it is crucial to choose a door that has the right style, form, and function in order to make a statement that reflects the warmth and elegance that is desired. Material selection is the first consideration in choosing a door. The material will affect the price, longevity, and reliability of the door. The four most popular types of material used in crafting entry doors are wood, steel, fiberglass, and iron. Each has its own pros and cons, but a well-made and high-quality door in any of the materials will be able to portray the look and feel of sophistication, elegance, and tradition. Choosing the material for the door will help narrow down the style and design options that are available. There are numerous different styles available from many different periods in history. Doors can be as simple as plain plank style, or as elaborate as a handcrafted work of art. Consideration of the home in which the door will be installed is important. A very ornate door would look out of place on a very simply styled home, while a plain door on an elegant home will detract from the beauty of the house. The ideal situation is to find a door that compliments the house and adds to the warmth and elegance of the home’s surroundings.
2.1. Considerations for Material Selection
Wood doors are the most common, and should be a top consideration for homeowners. Rusk says “No other material has the same richness and warmth as wood, but those are relative terms.” Wood maintains high-end market status and availability, and can be easily painted or stained to match any desired finish. At the same time, it has relatively high maintenance requirements. Kevin Hancock, president of Simpson Door Company, says “We recommend that finish is applied to all six sides of the door before installation. This includes any field cuts for hardware installation. The door will require periodic maintenance of the finish by the homeowner to keep that finish look.” This will typically involve refinishing the door every 1-2 years. Failing to maintain a wood door will lead to absorption of moisture and/or UV degradation, which can be irreversible. Wood doors are a reasonable choice in most any climate, with proper finish maintenance. However, Rusk reminds customers that a wood door that has direct exposure to rain may only last 5-7 years. For those living in harsh climate conditions, the high-end maintenance of wood doors is not ideal.
The first step in selecting a new entry door is to determine the most appropriate material. According to Bob Rusk, of the Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association, “A combination of beauty and durability is the most important feature of an entry door.” By looking at the different material characteristics, and considering lifestyle and location, a homeowner can find the perfect entry door.
2.2. Style and Design Options
Craftsman doors come with various style/design options. The most common style is that of a craftsman door with upper glass panes – be them one or two large panes or multiple smaller panes. The glass can be clear or frosted, depending on your preference for how much light to let in. Another common design is the full panel craftsman interior door – an excellent choice for a closet interior door, where all lower panels contain uniform horizontal visualization. Another design of craftsman interior doors is a variation of the first example – door with glass, but instead of being interior French doors the glass door leads to a wood panel door. Combination at its best. Another style of craftsman door is that with raised panels, adding more depth and character to the door. Raised panel craftsman doors come in endless possibilities, limited only by the manufacturers and can include carved wood designs. Another discussed option when dealing with solid core craftsman doors is whether or not to go with hollow core doors for bathrooms and bedrooms. An example would be to choose a solid core interior door for the bedroom with a very detailed design to act as a sound barrier or give more privacy. Then a less expensive hollow core interior door can be chosen for a closet interior door. This saves money where it is not important and you will not be able to tell when doors are painted with the same coat of paint.
2.3. Energy Efficiency and Security Features
Energy-efficient entry doors contain two basic elements: an energy-efficient core and tightly constructed frames. When selecting an energy-efficient door, it is essential to consider the type of core, which will help decide the door’s R-value. The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. It is a measure of how well a 2-inch thick door slab insulates. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating properties of the door. High R-value is synonymous with maximum energy efficiency. The most energy-efficient doors are those with a foam core wrapped with steel. The steel acts as a thermal break, preventing the transfer of cold or heat from the outside in. Steel doors with an inner frame of wood or steel are also a good choice as they are relatively less expensive than a foam core door, yet still effective. Fiberglass doors have essentially the same energy efficiency as a steel door, providing they have a foam core. Although otherwise a good insulator, wood is not the best material for an entry door as it is susceptible to warping and rotting, and usually has a low R-value. Properly equipped with quality materials, energy-efficient doors can provide decades of durability in the harshest of weather conditions. However, exposure to harsh weather conditions will not only affect the aesthetic properties of a door, but detract from its energy efficiency. To reduce energy costs and promote conservation, homeowners should maintain the quality of their entry door’s energy efficiency. This can be achieved through applying a new coat of finish every few years to prevent peeling and warping due to moisture absorption. Regularly inspecting the door’s weather stripping and replacing it when necessary is another effective means to maintain a consistent level of energy efficiency throughout the door’s lifespan.
3. Enhancing Curb Appeal
The use of formal balance and proportion has always been an important characteristic of Craftsman architecture. To enhance the structural role that your door represents as the focal point of the home, choose an entry door with a large glass area that is surrounded by divided-lite wood or leaded glass. French doors are always a stylish option. Other characteristic elements for Craftsman doors are dentil shelves, an overhanging eave, and a triangular knee brace. These elements provide an opportunity to tie the door into the other architectural features that can be found at the structural layer like higher up the wall or at the roof line of your home. You can even use similar features to create a more open and inviting entryway. Color plays an important role in creating an inviting entry to your home. Natural and earthy colors typically associated with Craftsman era architecture work well for the door and surrounding trim. You can add emphasis to the entry by using a different shade of the same color to paint the horizontal rails. Darker earthy tones work well to make the door stand out as the focal point using high contrast. Stain is also a stylish option that works well to bring out the beauty of real wood. Consider the use of a seasonal color to bring a new look of warmth to the entry for different times of the year. An example would be to change to subtle holiday colors to create a warm and cheery entry for the winter season.
3.1. Incorporating Architectural Elements
Using Craftsman principles to create a warm welcome begins with the architectural design of the door and surrounding entryway. A door from the past with its rich wood and decorative glass is the focal point of the facade. Usually one-third the distance up from the bottom of the door, a ‘frieze board’ or wide bottom rail trimmed with an edge profile is the platform for the door. A dentil shelf may be over the door. Usually, there is a lot of emphasis on the vertical, both with the door and the sidelights. Using sidelights can accentuate the door shape and allow for more natural light. Sidelights have their own separate casing and are mulled or joined to the main door unit at the head and the sill. If the door has a wide trim, the sidelights may be trimmed in a similar manner. Choose full divided lights or simulated divided lights to glaze the door. A common door design would be a double-hung top sash with a single sash door below. This could be simulated with a door and two sidelights with an appropriate number of lite divisions. Glass choice should be clear or leaded. Stay away from beveled glass; it is a more Victorian or Queen Anne embellishment.
3.2. Color and Finish Selection
Many manufacturers recognize the popularity of Craftsman doors by creating them in a rainbow of colors. However, simply because a door is available in 6 different colors does not mean it is appropriate for the house. Part of the charm of the early 1900s doors was that they were made from solid woods. Today’s wooden doors do not measure up to the poorer quality woods used 80-90 years ago. With better technology, woods are generally more sturdy and resistant to the elements, but they often lack the warmth and personality of a nice piece of old growth wood. If the decision is made to select a wooden door, be it a Craftsman style or otherwise, it is often best to buy it unfinished and stain it to the appropriate color. For those wanting to duplicate their original door color, there are methods to analyze the wood and determine what stain was traditionally used. For the purist, doors can be made from reclaimed woods and given an appropriate finish. An advantage to selecting a wooden door with an appropriate color finish is that the color of the door can influence the perception of the house. White and cream-colored walls go well with lighter colored doors, while darker doors go well with natural wood interiors and earth-toned houses. For those desiring a more durable entry door, steel doors are available in some of the same styles as Craftsman wooden doors. These are often factory painted to a specific color and can also be a good option for a color-coordinated entry. Unfortunately, it is difficult to repair scratches and dings in a painted steel door, and once the finish is compromised, the door is vulnerable to rust. It should be noted that steel doors are unique in that the door jam and brick molding are often 2-inch thick components as opposed to the standard 4-9/16 inch jambs of wooden entry doors. This feature can be simulated with a wooden Craftsman-style door by employing an appropriate jamb extension.
3.3. Adding Decorative Hardware
The quality of the hardware is just as important for function than it is for the appearance of the door. It’s more fun to think about the aesthetic appeal of a handle or lock, but the bottom line is that you use your entry everyday and you want that hardware to be smooth and trouble free. A good quality handle set should be a feel good aspect of your door and an aspect of the door that you shouldn’t have to replace. High quality materials and finishing methods are important in achieving this and also to preserve the hardware from the elements over time.
You will find that decorative hardware can be a very important part of your entry’s design. With so many different styles and finishes offered, it’s easy to put your personal touch on the entry. Like any element of your home, you want it to speak to your personal style. Some decorative hardware can give a home that extra touch of elegance, while still maintaining a warm and inviting look. Other styles can make the door look more provincial. And some designs are more whimsical and can give the house a very friendly, laid-back look. One of the best things about decorative hardware is that it is generally an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade a home’s look.
Décor isn’t limited to the interior of your home. The front entry makes a huge statement about the people living inside and the decor that awaits just beyond the front door. The design and materials chosen for an entry are important in defining the character of the home, and also set the tone for what’s inside. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right decorations for your door.
4. Creating a Welcoming Entryway
Lighting is an important element to any successful design. It provides security, safety, and a welcoming warmth to your home. If the entrance is already well-defined, full spectrum lighting can be used to create a well-lit area. This is usually done with some form of ceiling light. If you are looking to define the entrance, a combination of overhead lighting and low-level path lighting can be used. This will ensure that the entrance is well-lit, and the path lighting will draw visitors to your front door. Avoid using harsh floodlights as they create a sense of unease. Instead, use fixtures that have shielding to direct light downward. Be sure to select lighting fixtures that are of high quality and appropriate to the style of your home. Often, exterior lighting is too small for the scale of the home. A good lighting store will have a variety of fixtures and knowledgeable staff to assist you in your selection.
Today’s entryways are not used nearly as frequently as in the past. The typical entrance to a home is from an attached garage or side door. Often, the front door is only used for special occasions and greeting guests. But the symbolic message of a beautifully designed entryway can still be seen in many homes. It communicates a sense of welcome to visitors and can provide a daily reminder to the occupants that they are home. A well-designed entryway can be achieved by attending to details and the use of good design principles. Lighting, landscaping, and architectural details are elements to consider.
4.1. Lighting and Illumination
Lamp-posts are an old idea, but a good one. A simple and rugged lamp-post can give an unmistakable message of welcome at the entryway to your home. They are particularly effective lining a pathway. Electrical requirements aren’t too high and a hired professional can erect one in an hour or less. Wall-mounted fixtures can add an interesting glow to the door itself and highlight its surroundings. It’s a good idea to choose a fixture that matches the door in design and stylistic elements. Sometimes simple ceiling-hung porch lights can serve the same purpose. Ground lights and spotlights are something to play with, but can be tasteful if they are not overdone and are energy-efficient.
Welcome to the entryway! Whether the purpose of your distinctive new door is to welcome a guest or to create a warm sense of homecoming, entryway design is critical to setting the proper mood. And now that you’ve selected a door based on craftsmanship and stylistic elements, you have an opportunity to play with creative and distinctive design elements in lighting and illumination. There are a multitude of lighting options to choose from in entryway design. Being the most flexible, it’s often a good idea to visit a lighting store and ask about your options. Generally, a combination of different light sources works best, be they lamp-post or wall-mounted, ceiling-hung or ground-set.
4.2. Landscaping and Pathway Design
Next, carefully consider the plantings along the pathway. Again, this is an opportunity to create an atmosphere. If space is limited, there are numerous varieties of smaller ornamental trees and shrubs that can add color, texture, and fragrance to the entryway. If there are existing trees, consider removing or trimming lower branches to allow for more light. Light is an often-overlooked element in path and entryway design, and is crucial to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Any plants should be chosen with an eye to creating a low-maintenance landscape. A garden overflowing with annuals can be beautiful, but if you have to replant it every year, the effect will be more burdensome than welcoming.
First of all, begin with the pathway leading to the porch. It should be different from a front walk and should meander through the landscaping. Generally, a front walk is a purely functional means of getting to the house; a pathway leading to the door is an opportunity to create a welcoming atmosphere. It should be constructed of natural materials, in keeping with the hand-crafted look of the door. Pavers are a good choice and are available in many colors and shapes. For a particularly distinctive look, consider having a local artist create a mosaic or other custom design on a concrete pathway.
4.3. Personalized Touches
Another idea for personalized touches is to use the entry door as a showcase to display your unique style or interests. The design of the entry door itself is a personalized choice. Both new and vintage doors can be found at salvage yards, auctions, or in the classified section of the newspaper. No matter if new or old, the door should reflect your style. A skilled craftsman or carpenter can help you add personal touches to a new door or update an older one. For example, etched glass designs are a way to add a desired motif or a subtle and tasteful decoration to the door. Glass inserts may be clear, colored, or textured, with metal caming. This gives privacy and allows light into the entryway. Glass inserts may be used near the top of the door or near the door handle, depending on your preference. An entirely different option is using the door as a canvas for painted artwork. An artist can paint a scene or design directly on the door, whether it be a trompe l’oeil as a realistic landscape or still life, or a decorative design to compliment the style of the home. There are limitless possibilities for personalizing the door with a painted design.
By adding unique, personalized touches to your entryway, you can make a powerful statement about your home and your family. Personalized touches create a point of interest for visitors and set your home apart, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. When visitors feel warmly welcomed and comfortable in your home, it is a reflection of the homeowner’s friendly and accommodating nature. Consider adding distinctive house numbers or a custom-engraved plaque to the area near the front door. These features not only help guests find your home, but also make a great first impression. Customized metal, iron, or woodworking artisans can create these house numbers and plaques, working from a design or idea that you provide. Involvement in creating these features is a fun and creative way to express your personal style.
5. Maintenance and Care
Cleaning your door does not have to be a hard task because the glass and door handle are the only two things that need to be cleaned, aside from periodic dusting. Clean the glass with any normal glass cleaner that you use in your home that contains no harsh or abrasive chemicals. It is very important that after cleaning the glass, you rinse it thoroughly to remove any excess cleaner that may have run down onto the door. The door handle is the only other thing that needs cleaning. Use a soft cloth to wipe away any dirt or grime that has built up on the handle and for stubborn marks, use a mild detergent to help remove them. Using any abrasive or caustic cleaners may affect the door’s finish. The entrance mat can be vacuumed, shaken, or spot cleaned as needed with any mild detergent, hosed off, and laid flat to dry. Standing water on the door may cause residue or a mineral deposit and should be avoided. Seasonal maintenance or touching up of the door may be required. A general inspection of the door looking for any imperfections (scratches, dents, or other marks) should be done to evaluate whether any additional care is needed. Touch up painting may be needed to cover marks. Follow proper painting instructions and let paint dry properly before using door. Periodical adjusting of hinges can be done to relevel the doors if necessary and to maintain proper function.
5.1. Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Protect the door’s finish from exposure to sun and moisture: Consider adding a storm door. Full lite doors, doors with western exposure, and doors not protected by a substantial covered entry will require more frequent finish maintenance. Failure to adequately protect a door’s finish located in a sun or moisture exposure setting will cause damage to the finish, and possibly the door. Consideration should be given to installing overhangs, canopies, or other roof structures to protect the door from sun and moisture exposure. A proper gutter system is also important. Improper roof runoff without gutters, or clogged gutters can cause damage to any exterior door.
In order to keep the door looking and performing its best, an exterior wood door should be recoated with an exterior clear coat about every 2 years; sooner if the finish shows signs of wear. Failure to keep a finish coated at regular intervals may cause long-term damage to the door’s finish, making it very difficult to restore. Full lite doors will require more frequent coating touch-ups. Do not void the door warranty: Use of any coatings other than high-quality exterior clear coats specifically designed for use on wood, or failure to follow the coating manufacturers’ directions can cause damage to the door’s finish.
An annual cleaning will do wonders in keeping the door’s finish looking good. Wash the door with a soft cloth and a solution of mild detergent and water. Don’t use abrasive cleaners or wash the door with steel wool, as these can damage the finish. Thoroughly rinse the door with clear water after cleaning. For stained or unfinished doors, periodic cleaning with a quality liquid furniture polish on a clean, soft cloth can be used. Follow the directions on the furniture polish container. Avoid using paste waxes, or any polishes containing silicone. Once a polish has been used, it is difficult to refinish the door.
5.2. Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
Check the finish for signs of wear. Splotchy or dull finishes require partial or complete refinishing. It is also a good idea to inspect the finish at any areas where the door system is fully exposed to the elements (i.e. unprotected by a porch or overhang). These areas may require more frequent finishing to keep dirt and moisture from affecting the door. Inspect and touch up scratches or dings in the finish. (For doors with a paint finish, consider touching up exposed metal areas such as the bottom edge of the door or top of the hinges with a color-matching exterior enamel to prevent rust and corrosion). Regularly performing these checks will ensure the finish on your door is kept in good condition and will save you the time and expense of having to fully refinish the door in the future.
First, wash door and sidelights with a mild soap and water to remove any dirt or residue. To prevent water spotting, dry with a clean, soft cloth. This is especially important if you have a finish that requires occasional re-coating with exterior varnish. Any water or chemical spotting can cause discoloration to your finish requiring more extensive sanding to remove and potentially harming the underlying wood.
When it comes to the form and function of your home, where warmth and welcome are the operative words, a beautiful and efficient Simpson door can go a long way! To make sure your doors function properly and maintain their beauty for years to come, we offer the following seasonal maintenance checklists that should be performed at least twice a year.
5.3. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Symptom: Door does not close properly, will not latch. Possible cause: House has settled or door has been forced, causing door geometry to become out of square. Possible solution: Determine the location of the rub (the area where the misalignment is occurring). Remove the door and with a belt sander or plane, remove enough wood from the appropriate areas to allow proper clearance. Often simply readjusting the door stop moldings will correct the problem. If the misalignment is due to the structure settling, it may be better to correct the existing structure problem rather than to remove wood from the door. Preventive measures: Keep the door properly finished. Finishing all six surfaces of the door will help prevent moisture exchange and the subsequent dimensional change that leads to misalignment. Note: In some cases a misaligned door is a symptom of a greater structural settling problem. While the suggestions noted above may help correct the problem so that the door will function, it may be necessary to consult a contractor or building professional in order to address the greater structural issue.
6. Conclusion
Louis Fry, past president of the Craftsman Home Building Conference and owner of Fry Homes, Inc. in Orange, CA, has experienced the beauty and handcrafted authenticity of the original turn of the century doors during his years of building and renovating historical homes. He has become a staunch advocate for homeowners seeking to achieve the beauty of these older homes through the use of today’s resources. “There was a time when a homeowner would settle for a standard commodity door. Now they (the homeowners) want something with character that matches the original design of the home. Simpson is the first company that has been able to provide that.”
Using today’s demand for style, security, and insulation quality, the Simpson Craftsman Collection Entry Door has been able to bring the beautiful elegance of the past to the homeowners of today. Whether rebuilding, remodeling, or creating a new home, the availability of six exterior door and sidelite designs, including the popular three-lite, and three solid panel options, an elegant glass and panel design, makes it more than possible to achieve the look and feel of the original Craftsman era. With single, double, and unique sidelite door configurations, the options to create a unique entryway specific to the homeowner’s needs are practically limitless.
With their well-kept lawns and inviting front porches, these Craftsman-era homes often beckon an era when a milk delivery at the door was an everyday occurrence. Though the turn of the century has passed, the need for a distinctive entry door has never waned. In fact, an entry door can showcase more about the home and the homeowners than any other singular item.
Ready to welcome guests in style? Explore our exquisite collection of Craftsman entry doors at Todays Entry Doors. Visit our website now at todaysentrydoors.com to find the perfect door to elevate your home’s entryway!
