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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.

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!

How to Choose the Best Style for Your Home’s Custom Doors?

Choosing the right style for your custom doors is no walk in the park.

In fact, many homeowners struggle with the decision. From arched and panelled doors to French doors and sliding doors, the options are seemingly endless. So how do you identify the perfect fit for your home?

Here are a handful of important tips to keep in mind as you make your decision!

Your custom door should match the architectural style of your home!

While you might be tempted to choose a style of the door based on your own wants and preferences, it’s critical that you consider the architectural style of your home before making any decision.

Panelled doors designs, for example, are fairly safe and standard—making them a good option for Cape Cod, craftsman, and colonial-style homes. Arched doors, on the other hand, work well with homes that already possess some historical charm but may look out of place with contemporary or modern styles.

Consider the location of the door: interior or exterior door?

The location of your new door should also play a role in the style you choose. Although a panelled door may be a great option for a room that requires privacy—such as a bathroom or bedroom—it may stifle a scenic view when used as a patio door.

Conversely, a pair of French doors isn’t always the best option for a front entry, but it can effectively divide two rooms inside your home and help create a sense of space.

A gorgeous arched door may draw the right amount of attention to your home’s exterior, but it may look out of place when used as a bedroom door.

Take the sun into account

Another factor to consider when choosing a custom door style is sunlight—particularly if you’re looking to install an exterior door in Toronto.

While solid custom wood doors will prevent sunlight from passing through, French doors and certain sliding doors can allow natural sunlight to brighten a dark room. A little extra sunlight may be desirable when your home lacks windows or high-quality lighting. In other cases, you might already have plenty of natural sunlight entering your home and adding more windows might be unnecessary. What’s more, transparent doors often come at the expense of privacy.

Discuss your options with a residential custom door expert

The reality is that there are a lot of door styles to consider and you may not be taking all factors into consideration when making your decision. For this reason, it’s wise to discuss all of your custom wood door options with a professional—such as one of the many experts here at Traditional Door.

A professional will take a look at your home’s architectural style, help you weigh up all of the different factors, and make sensible recommendations so that you can choose the ideal wooden door for your home!

Need help choosing the right style for your custom wood doors in Toronto, Ontario? Give us a call! As the leading manufacturer of wood doors in Toronto, we would love to help you design and build the perfect set of custom doors for your home!