How to Pick the Best Wood Species for Your Custom Entry Doors

Do you want to make sure that you pick the perfect wood species for your new custom entry door?

There are all kinds of decisions that go into designing a brand-new custom front entry door, but choosing a wood species is arguably the most important decision you will need to make during this process.

Of course, there are dozens of wood species for custom doors to consider.

Here are some of the most popular options and their characteristics!

Mahogany

Known for its durability and resistance to wear, mahogany is often used for furniture, flooring, and of course, exterior wood doors. While mahogany can be painted, it is best paired with a quality wood stain that draws out its fine, straight grain and gorgeous dark wood tones.
The wood’s incredible strength and beauty come at a cost, however, as mahogany is among the more expensive options for custom wood doors.

Alder

Alder—and knotty alder, more specifically—has a prominent wood grain that can bring a sense of rustic charm to your home.

With that said, alder is not nearly as dense as most popular hardwoods, and therefore, less durable overall. Although it requires more maintenance than many other wood species for custom doors, alder is one of the more affordable options on the market.

Oak

While there are well over 500 different species of oak, red oak and white oak are the two most common species used for custom wood doors.

This type of hardwood is known for not only its density and water resistance but also its wide range of grain patterns. Some oak species possess a straight grain, while others have more of a wavy or swirly grain pattern.

Walnut

Walnut has a chocolate-coloured appearance and is one of the darker woods used for exterior doors. Because walnut’s colour is prone to fading over time, however, it is critical that you keep it well-maintained.

The wood’s fine, straight grain gives it a modern feel that is best complemented with a high-quality wood stain. Keep in mind, however, that walnut tends to be among the more expensive wood species for custom doors.

Accoya® wood

Accoya® wood is the result of extensive research and development to combine a proven wood modification technique – acetylation – with cutting-edge patented technology in order to create a durable, stable and sustainable wood product that can withstand outdoor use and challenging weather conditions. Not only does Accoya offer superior performance compared to the best tropical hardwoods, but its production is also non-toxic and uses only sustainable sources of wood.

Accoya wood is favoured by many due to its suitability for a wide range of applications, from windows and doors, all the way through to cladding and even bridges or boats. Its properties make it an ideal replacement for materials which are not environmentally friendly or sustainable.

Do you need help choosing a wood species for custom doors?