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5 Factors to Consider When Hiring a Custom Door Manufacturer

Are you on the hunt for a top-notch custom door manufacturer in Toronto?

Whether you’re building a new house or you’re looking to replace a few outdated doors, you’ve already taken a huge step in deciding to go with custom doors for your home.

The next step, of course, is choosing a custom door manufacturer who can deliver an outstanding product. How do you know if you’re hiring the right door manufacturer for the job?

Here are 5 Factors You Should Consider Before Hiring a Custom Door Manufacturer!

1. Customer Service

When you have questions or need more information, does the manufacturer give you the time of day?

The amount of personal attention they are willing to give you before you hire them is a fairly good indication of the kind of personal attention they plan to give you during the design and manufacturing processes.

2. Track Record

Every custom door manufacturer is going to tell you that they have the best products, the best process, and the best customer service. But what do their customers have to say about them?

The truth is that the most honest feedback you’re going to get about a company is the feedback that its customers leave.

You can learn a great deal about a company’s track record just by running a quick Google search or reading their testimonials page. Is the company’s feedback overwhelmingly positive, or are there a handful of scathing reviews that are hard to ignore?

3. Involvement

Although there are many companies that manufacture custom doors, not all of them have the same approach when it comes to design. It’s important that you choose a manufacturer that can meet your design needs.

Do you already have a specific design in mind or do you need a manufacturer who can help you come up with the right design for your home? Some manufacturers plan to be relatively hands-off during the design process, while others will be willing to work alongside you to help you find the perfect design for your home.

4. Craftsmanship and Selection

The level of quality and customization a manufacturer can provide is largely dependent on the equipment, machinery, and personnel that they have available.

Of course, you should look into the manufacturer’s credentials and qualifications. But you should also ask the manufacturer about the different types of designs, woods, finishes, and hardware that they offer.

The reality is that a lack of options may severely limit what you’re able to achieve with your new set of custom doors!

5. Warranty

Finally, you need to make sure that your manufacturer is going to deliver a long-lasting product—one that they will stand behind.

Ask the custom door manufacturer about the warranty they offer before hiring them. The better the guarantee, the more likely they are to give you a high-quality product—the first time.

Do you Need a Manufacturer You Can Trust to Deliver Beautiful Custom Wood Doors in Toronto?

Traditional Door is Ontario’s leading manufacturer of wood doors, mouldings and millwork. At Traditional Door, we can check all of the boxes above and more. Contact us today—we’d love to help design and build your next custom doors! Submit a form or call us!

Reinforce & Customize Your Wood Doors for Increase Safety

Are Wooden Doors Safe? 

Most people have custom wooden exterior doors in their homes … but how safe are they, exactly?

This is a question that countless customers ask themselves when considering the different options for their front entryways and back custom wood doors. After all, the piece of wood you install might be the only thing preventing a burglar from breaking into your home!

Spoiler alert—wooden doors are much safer than you might think; and yet, there are a number of customizations you can make to maximize their safety.

5 Tips to Make To Customize & Reinforce Your Doors 

Make the following customizations when designing your next wooden exterior door to make it as sturdy and secure as possible!

1. Avoid Adding Glazing/Windows if Possible

You may be tempted to add glazing/windows to your exterior door, as they can add character to your door design and allow a little extra natural light to shine through.

The truth is, however, that the addition of a window immediately makes it the most vulnerable component of your exterior wooden door. Glass is not only less dense than wood but it also allows strangers to make out figures and movement inside your home.

2. Choose a Dense Hardwood

Not all woods are created equal. Generally speaking, most hardwoods are at least a little sturdier than most softwoods.

Although you might enjoy the cost savings of a pine, poplar, or alder door, there are denser woods that are much more difficult to break through—namely, ash, oak, and maple.

Related Article: What Types of Woods Are Best for Your Custom Interior Doors?

3. Invest in Your Doorframe

Your wooden exterior door is one component in an entire door system. In other words, make sure you don’t neglect the doorframe!

A hard, dense wood—such as mahogany or oak—will prove to be significantly sturdier than your average, inexpensive interior doorframe. You can even reinforce a wooden door with a steel or metal doorframe!

4. Choose a High-Security Locking System

When designing a new wooden exterior door, there is a handful of locking mechanisms to choose from—including five-lever mortice locks, latches, and more.

A deadbolt arguably offers the greatest level of security, as burglars cannot force these types of locks open using a credit card or knife. You can also double down on security by pairing your deadbolt locking system with a door chain!

5. Install a Peephole

Do you feel anxious whenever you hear a knock at your door? With a peephole installed, you’ll be able to view the person outside your home before deciding to open up. A wide-angled peephole, more specifically, will give you a broad range of views.

While a peephole doesn’t provide much in terms of the sturdiness and security of the door itself, it will give you peace of mind whenever someone knocks at your wooden door!

Now that you know how to maximize the security of your wooden door, you can design and purchase your next custom wooden exterior door with confidence.  Traditional Door is Ontario’s leading manufacturer of wood doors, mouldings and millwork. Get in touch with one of the experts today and ask them to give you a hand. Submit a form or give us a call!

4 Steps to Make a Statement With Your Front Door

Looking to part with your outdated front door and install a new custom door that really pops?

When friends and neighbours drive past your house, your front door is one of the first things they will notice. If you want to make a great impression and have your home showcase your own personality and style, updating your front door is a great way to achieve this.

Follow this four-step process to replace your bland front door with one that stands out and makes your home feel complete!

1. Choose Your Material

While the majority of front doors are made from wood, you might prefer an aluminum or glass door instead.

Keep in mind, however, that wood gives you complete control over the colour of your front door. If you’re looking to make your door truly stand out against the rest of your home, a custom wood door is the most versatile option by far!

2. Choose Your Design

If you chose wood for your door’s material, you have a handful of design options to consider.

Rather than opting for a traditional panelled door, however, consider a more modern design—a door that uses a single sheet of wood or horizontal panels, for example.

You can also make your front door stand out with a few accents, such as glass inserts and textures.

3. Choose Your Colour/Finish

If you’re someone who has spent the last few years with a white or brown front door, you might be eager to finally pick out a bold colour that reflects your own personality. At the same time, the sheer number of colour options that are available might be overwhelming.

To land the perfect colour for your front door, ask the following questions:

  • Do I want there to be a contrast between the door and my home?
  • How bold do I want to be with the colour choice?
  • Does my home’s exterior have any accents that I want my front door to match?

For a bold or contrasting door, you will want to offset the shade of your home with a much different shade. If your home is white or light gray, for example, you will want to select a much darker colour to create a contrasting effect. If your home is dark blue or brown, on the other hand, you will want to select a much brighter colour.

At the end of the day, there are no wrong options—choose the colour you like most. If you’re unsure of your choice, you can look at photos of similar doors or consult one of the custom door professionals here at Traditional Door!

Here are some wood stain options you should consider: Wood Stain Colours

4. Choose Your Hardware

Last but not least, you will need to choose hardware for your new front door. Of course, a bold or contrasting colour is more than enough to make your front door pop. Unique hardware is just the icing on top!

There are hundreds of modern doorknob and handle designs out there. Rather than settling for a traditional brass doorknob, identify hardware that will catch a guest’s eye!

Remember, nothing in your home makes a statement quite like a bold, custom front door. Contact one of the experts at Traditional Door today for all of your custom door needs. We would love to help! You can give us a call at + 1 (416) 747-1992.

Top 5 Interior Door Trends for 2022

Are you looking to install a set of trendy interior doors in Toronto?
While the primary purpose of a door is to be functional, efficient, and durable, a door can also be decorative and stylish.

Every year, old designs, styles, and finishes make way for new designs, styles, and finishes. As we enter the new year, it’s important to be mindful of all of the newest trends—particularly if you plan on purchasing interior doors in the near future.

From styles and designs to colours and finishes, in this article, we will go over the top five interior door trends to look out for in 2022.

5 Interior Door Trends for 2022:

1. High and Wide

It’s true that doors can help frame their environments; and this year, higher and wider interior doors are going to be all the rage.

Contrary to what many people believe, larger doors can be used throughout the home—not only at the front entry. Especially when you want a certain room to appear larger and more spacious, installing a two-leaf or three-leaf door can make a world of difference.

2. More Sliding Doors

The average homeowner associates sliding doors with glass, but wooden sliding doors are becoming more and more popular heading into 2022.

Of course, wooden sliding doors are simple and easy to use; but what’s more, the lack of the traditional “swinging” mechanism can help preserve space in an already-crowded room.

3. Less Is Sometimes More

When ordering a custom interior door, there may be the temptation for you to go with an impressive or elaborate design. However, more and more homeowners are opting for minimalist designs.

Rather than opting for interior panelled doors or intricate patterns, many trendy homeowners are pairing invisible-like designs with neutral colours to complete a highly contemporary look!

4. There Are Plenty of Great Colours

Today, you can choose just about any type of colour for your custom doors, so long as they work within the context of your home. Neutral shades and bright pastels—such as white, soft pink, soft green, soft gray, and soft blue—can help brighten a room and complement a minimalist design.

There are also plenty of dark and bold colours that can work. Of course, natural wood finishes continue to be popular—timeless, even. Over the past few years, however, we have also seen the return of emerald green and navy blue doors. You can continue using these bold colours in 2022 as well!

5. Brass and Long Handles

In terms of features and finishes, there are a couple of interior doors trends that are on the rise. Brass finishes, specifically, can add a touch of elegance and also stand out against a bold shade.

What’s more, long door handles are often being used in lieu of traditional doorknobs and short handles—largely for their elegant appearance and practicality.

So, do you need a new set of custom interior doors for your home? One of our custom door experts can help you choose the perfect design, style, and finish to complement your home. Be sure to call us at 416-747-1992!

7 Signs That It’s Time to Replace One of Your Doors

A high-quality wood door, although typically very sturdy and durable, will eventually break down. Perhaps you have noticed visible changes to your door over the past few years, or maybe it no longer functions as it should.

If one or more of your home’s doors exhibits any of the following signs, it may be time to replace it with a new custom wood door!

1. The wood door has become difficult to use

A well-functioning door should be able to open and close with little difficulty or resistance.
If you’re struggling to maneuver one of your interior or exterior doors without applying a significant amount of force, it might be time to replace it.

2. The style of your door has become outdated

While some older styles of wood doors are able to maintain their charm decades later, other styles may become unstylish or outdated. What’s more, your own personal tastes are likely to change over time. If there is a certain style of door that catches your eye, there is no shame in simply replacing your old one! Why not go for a custom wood door instead? A custom wood door guarantees you that you will be getting a door that fits your style and the design of your house. 

3. Other areas of your home have been updated

If you’ve recently made additions or renovations to your home, the reality is that the colour or style of your existing door might no longer be the perfect match that it once was. Take a good look at the entire room and determine whether your current door appears out of place. Is it? Start imaging how a custom wood door would look in there.

4. The door has been damaged

It’s likely that one of your doors will be scratched, dented, or cracked at some point. This can happen especially if you have young children. Of course, minor blemishes can often be repaired. However, certain damage might not be worth what it costs you to repair it. Instead, consider investing in a new wood door.

5. The hardware has been damaged

Similarly, the mechanism of a hinge, handle, or lock can be damaged over time—whether it’s from rust, heavy use, or poor quality overall. Of course, a faulty mechanism can be inconvenient; but it can also present a security threat.

While it may be possible to replace only the hardware and keep the door itself, you can just as easily opt to replace the door entirely.

6. The door isn’t blocking noise

A high-quality, well-fitted interior wood door will block a certain amount of noise from passing between rooms. As the door breaks down, warps, and changes over time, however, you might notice that is no longer blocks the same amount of sound.

When sound becomes increasingly difficult to control, you can probably benefit from investing in a new door.

7. The door isn’t insulating well

Exterior doors and windows play a significant role in preventing outdoor temperatures from impacting the temperature inside your home.

When a door doesn’t offer proper insulation, the result is higher energy usage—and subsequently, higher energy bills. A new custom door will pay for itself by getting your energy bills back under control!

So, are your home’s doors showing clear signs of wear and tear? If they are, and it is time for you to replace your exterior or interior doors, the team at Traditional Door can help you replace them with a set of gorgeous custom doors in Toronto. Get in touch with us today!