Author Archives: Traditional Door

Traditional Door continues its journey through the world of bespoke wood craftsmanship, bringing you insights into the artistry behind reclaimed doors. In our timeless pursuit of excellence, we explore the intricacies of reclaimed wood doors, both exterior and interior, and delve into the charm of custom wood doors that make a statement.

Reclaimed Wood Doors: Weaving Stories into Your Home

Reclaimed wood doors stand as a testament to the beauty of age and history. Crafted from wood that has weathered the passage of time in barns, warehouses, and historical structures, these doors carry a unique character that captivates the beholder.

Let’s unravel the reasons why reclaimed doors might be the perfect choice for your home:

1. Environmental Harmony

Opting for reclaimed wood doors is a conscious decision towards environmental sustainability. By repurposing wood from old structures, you contribute to the reduction of demand for new timber, championing the cause of eco-friendliness and responsible living.

2. Timeless Appeal

Reclaimed wood possesses a natural allure, bearing the scars and patina that tell a story of its previous life. The knots, imperfections, and rich textures add a timeless charm to your doors, creating a unique focal point that modern materials can’t replicate.

3. Individuality in Customization

At Traditional Door, we understand the importance of personal expression. Our reclaimed wood doors can be customized to align with your style preferences. Whether you lean towards a rustic, weathered look or a polished finish, our craftsmen can bring your vision to life.

Reclaimed Exterior Doors: Where Durability Meets Elegance

Your entry door is more than just a functional element; it’s a statement piece that sets the tone for your home.

Discover the perfect amalgamation of durability and elegance with our reclaimed exterior doors:

1. Weather-Resistant Craftsmanship

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, our reclaimed exterior doors are designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. The reclaimed wood, when treated and finished appropriately, ensures your door remains a resilient and striking feature of your home.

2. Tailored Designs for Curb Appeal

Elevate your home’s curb appeal with a reclaimed exterior wood door that speaks to your style. Choose from a variety of designs, finishes, and hardware options to create a door that complements your home’s architecture and reflects your unique taste.

3. Crafted by Skilled Artisans

Quality craftsmanship is at the heart of Traditional Door’s ethos. Our reclaimed exterior doors are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring each door meets the highest standards of durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

Reclaimed Interior Doors: Harmony of Style and Function

Interior wood doors play a pivotal role in defining the aesthetics and flow of your living spaces. Explore the advantages of choosing reclaimed interior doors for a harmonious blend of style and functionality:

1. Versatility in Design

Reclaimed interior doors seamlessly adapt to various interior design styles. Whether your home boasts a modern, farmhouse, or eclectic design, our range of reclaimed interior doors can be customized to suit your vision.

2. Sustainable Elegance

Infuse your interiors with sustainable elegance by choosing reclaimed wood. The warmth and character of reclaimed interior doors can transform your living spaces, creating an inviting and environmentally conscious ambiance.

3. Tailored Solutions for Your Spaces

Understanding that every home is unique, Traditional Door offers reclaimed interior doors that can be tailored to fit specific dimensions. Choose from an array of finishes and styles to match your interior décor seamlessly.

Custom Wood Doors: A Symphony of Artistry and Functionality

Traditional Door believes that your home deserves doors as unique as your fingerprint. Our custom wood doors are a testament to this belief, offering a perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality:

1. Personalized Design Consultation

Collaborate closely with our design experts to create a custom wood door that mirrors your style and vision. From intricate details to unique finishes, your imagination is the only limit.

2. Uncompromising Commitment to Quality

Every custom wood door crafted by Traditional Door undergoes rigorous quality control. We source the finest reclaimed wood and employ skilled artisans to ensure each door meets the highest standards of quality and durability.

3. Enduring Beauty for Generations

Invest in a door that stands the test of time. Our custom wood doors are not merely functional; they are a living piece of art that adds enduring beauty to your home. With proper care and maintenance, your custom wood door will age gracefully, becoming a cherished focal point for generations.

Should you order interior panel doors or interior French doors for your home?

For centuries, these doors have been used throughout homes all over the world. Even today, they remain two of the most popular options. However, it’s worth noting that each style brings a different aesthetic to the home.

Which kind of custom interior wood doors in Toronto are the best fit for your home? Keep reading to learn about these doors and some of their biggest differences!

Custom Interior Panel Doors in Toronto

Design: Aside from perhaps the stock-standard flush door, the interior panel door design is arguably the most common style of door found in homes today. Unlike the flush door, the interior panel door is constructed from multiple pieces of wood, or “panels”.

Depending on the home, room, and the homeowner’s preferences, a panel door may consist of two, three, four, five, or even upwards of six panels. Rails and stiles—horizontal and vertical pieces of wood—are used to hold these panels in place while giving the door an added sense of dimension and detail.

While homeowners may opt for double-panel doors in certain instances, single-panel doors are most common in homes and are popular options for bedrooms and bathrooms in particular.

Features: Aside from hardware, interior panel doors are fairly standard and do not tend to include any additional features. With that said, ordering interior panel doors in Toronto from a door manufacturer like Traditional Door will allow you to fully customize your panel door’s design from top to bottom.

You can check our interior door panel gallery, here.

Cost: One of the main advantages of choosing panel doors over flush doors or French doors is their price point. In most cases, panel doors are more affordable than other types of doors on the market.

Custom Interior French Doors in Toronto

Design: Having originated in France during the 16th century, French doors are a crossover between doors and windows—combining the purpose and functionality of a traditional swinging wood door with the elegance of glass window panes.

Typically, French doors are taller and wider than most interior doors. What’s more, they are often used as double doors, allowing the homeowner to pin both doors open and improve traffic flow from one room to the next.

Features: The French door’s most notable feature is its glasswork, which usually makes up the majority of the door’s construction. This makes it the perfect option for homeowners who are looking to either increase the amount of natural light in their homes or make an area seem larger than it actually is. Like panel doors, custom French doors also include hardware, which you can customize by choosing a custom door manufacturer like Traditional Door!

You can check our interior door French gallery, here.

Cost: Given their larger size, high-quality materials, intricate design, and use of glasswork, it should come as no surprise that interior French doors in Toronto tend to be more expensive than panel doors. However, their elegant appearance is well worth the higher price point.

Could your Toronto exterior doors, frames, and trim use a little attention?

The truth is that doors and wood trim are notorious for attracting dust, dirt, and debris. This often occurs over the course of a few weeks or months. Depending on your location and the state of your home, however, it could occur in as little as a few days!

Fortunately, you don’t need many tools to maintain wood doors in Ontario and keep them in top condition. Follow these simple steps to clean your doors and trim like a seasoned professional!

3 Steps to Clean Your Exterior Doors

Whether your Toronto exterior doors are made from wood, fibreglass, or steel, clean them by doing the following:

1. Wipe Down the Door and Frame: First, combine water with either dishwashing liquid or vinegar. Then, using a microfiber cloth, wipe down all of your doors, frames, and trim. Be sure to start at the top with the head jamb and work your way down to the floor.
2. Wash the Glass Accents: If your wood doors in Ontario happen to be French doors or have glass accents, chances are that there are smudges, streaks, and fingerprints scattered across these surfaces. With a vinegar-based solution and microfiber cloth, gently clean both sides of the glass.
3. Thoroughly Clean the Hardware: Depending on whether your door’s hardware is made of brass, chrome, steel, or another material, find a compatible polish product and gently rub the hardware with a cloth. Use a second cloth to remove the polish and leave a sparkling finish!

3 Steps to Clean Your Wood Trim

After cleaning your Toronto exterior doors and frames, it’s time to turn your attention to the trim throughout your home. Be sure to do the following:

1. Vacuum the Area: Particularly if you haven’t cleaned your trim recently, chances are that there is plenty of dirt that will need to be removed before you attempt to dust or wipe down the trim. Equipping the soft brush attachment, gently vacuum the area—paying special attention to your baseboards!
2. Wipe Down the Trim: Now that you have removed most of the dirt and debris surrounding your trim, it’s time to polish some of the remaining blemishes out of your trim. Make a solution of water and either vinegar or detergent, and wipe down each area with a damp microfiber cloth. Feel free to apply a little extra pressure to remove stubborn marks and stains.
3. Rub the Trim with Dryer Sheets: After your trim has been vacuumed, wiped down, and has had a chance to dry, consider using a simple hack that will help you prevent dirt and dust from building up in the future. Take several dryer sheets and rub down all of your trim—including baseboards, crown mouldings, and even door frames. This will help eliminate the static that so often attracts dust, dirt, and debris!

Looking to immerse yourself in the world of interior doors?

Whether you’re buying custom interior wood doors in Toronto or simply wanting to learn more about interior doors, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the many terms that are used by people across the door manufacturing industry.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common types of interior doors and the different industry lingo that is used!

Types of Custom Interior Doors

Custom interior flush doors

These doors are typically constructed from a single piece of wood—often possessing a solid wood core. While simple from a design perspective, the door’s sheer density can provide added soundproofing and insulation.

Custom interior panel doors

Unlike flush doors, custom interior panel doors are divided into raised or recessed sections of wood. These sections may run vertically or horizontally, adding detail to the door’s design.

Custom interior French doors

These swinging or sliding double doors are typically adorned with ornamental glass panels. Custom interior French doors allows light to shine through from one room to the next—making your home appear more open and spacious.

Functions of Interior Doors

Swinging doors

As you might expect, a swinging door functions by rotating inward or outward—depending on the room and application. This type of door is usually secured by hinges on one side of the door frame.

Sliding doors

Contrary to a swinging door, a sliding door rests on horizontal tracks at the top and bottom ends. This allows the door to open and close from one side.

Parts of Interior Doors

• Door slab: The door itself, sans the unit’s frame and moulding, is often referred to as the door “slab.”
• Door frame: The frame is the wood structure that lines the perimeter of the door on all four sides. It supports both the hinge and the door itself.
• Side Jambs: The side jambs are the vertical pieces of the door frame. One jamb attaches to the hinge and supports the door slab, while the other jamb attaches to the mullion and allows the door to open, close, and lock.
• Head Jamb: The head jamb is the horizontal section located at the top of the door frame.
• Sill: The sill is the horizontal section located at the bottom of the door frame.
• Casing: The terms “frame” and “casing” are sometimes conflated, but it’s important to distinguish between the two terms. The casing is not the frame itself but rather the decorative moulding that is added to the frame.
• Transom: There are two common types of decorative glass that are added to custom interior wood doors in Toronto. The glass located above the door is called the transom.
• Sidelight: The decorative glass that is located at the side of the interior door is called a sidelight.
• Door unit: The door, its frame, hardware, and the entire assembly is often referred to as the door “unit.”

When it comes to preserving your exterior custom-made wood doors, maintenance is key.

In many cases, a little maintenance can be the difference between a door lasting for several years or several decades. Fortunately, most routine maintenance tasks can be performed at home with only a few simple tools.

Here are our top tips for maintaining exterior wood doors in Toronto!

1. Dust Your Home Frequently

There are all types of dirt and debris particles that can impact your exterior door’s finish and hardware. While seemingly harmless, these particles will eventually eat away at your door’s protective coating,

So, make a habit of dusting your home—including your door—at least once per week. You can achieve this with a conventional duster or a soft, damp rag.

2. Wash Your Door Regularly

Given all of the grime that can build up on your door from dirty hands, mud, bad weather, and the environment, it’s important that you wash your exterior wood door at least once per month.

If you live in a high-pollution area, you may need to do this as often as once per week.

To start, find a smooth, soft cloth or sponge. Avoid steel wool or rags with harsh textures that could scratch your door. Using water and a mild dish soap, gently rub the cloth over the surface of your door until all dirt has been removed.

Using a second rag and disinfectant spray, wipe down all of the door’s hardware—including handles, hinges, and latches. This will not only stop dirt from corroding the hardware but also prevent bacteria from building up.

3. Polish Your Door As Needed

After cleaning and washing your custom-made residential exterior doors, you may notice that they have lost some of their normal luster. Fortunately, you can restore their sheen with a simple polish.

Using a clean cloth, gently rub a modest amount of high-quality furniture polish across the door’s surface. Be careful not to apply too much of the product, as it is not a substitute for your door’s finish.

4. Give Your Door a New Finish

When it comes to protecting custom-made residential exterior doors, the finish is the first line of defence. Without this protective coating in place, exterior doors are more susceptible to scratches, chips, and moisture.

First, inspect your door to determine whether it needs to be refinished. Then, choose a paint, wood stain, varnish, or another type of finish that will pair well with the hardwood. Before you begin the refinishing process, remember to remove the door from its hinges and tape up any hardware.

If most of the original finish has worn off, you may be able to remove any remaining areas by lightly sanding the door. Otherwise, you may need to remove the old finish with a chemical stripper. Next, wipe down the entire door down to remove any sawdust. Finally, apply a few coats of the finish before rehanging your door!