New Custom Historic Doors,
Repair & Restoration
We build new custom doors using historic designs, and restore and repair vintage doors.
We built this custom plank-style oak door with antique glass & hardware to match this home in Whittier, CA
Christopher Ward, Head of Design, building a custom door in his studio.
“Doors truly are works of art, & entryways to our past.”
It is our pleasure to offer built to order, hand-made doors based on classic designs for clients throughout North America. We focus on restoring homes to their original design with doors that capture the era your house was built.
Explore our classic designs, wood varieties, and hardware ideas below. Then, customize based on your dimensions and preferences. We work with you every step of the way to provide a custom quote on a door that brings your vision to life.
We also repair and restore vintage doors, either an existing door or one purchased from salvage
Entry door refresh in Whittier, CA
What We Do.
We care about making historical design work for every customer
Build New Custom Doors
Each door is made by hand for the customer. We can start from scratch or build you an antique using a salvage door.
Door Repair & Restoration
We can do a lot to fix sticky locks, creaks, cracks and bends, and get your antique door (or a door from salvage) working and looking like it used to.
Woodwork Restoration
Restoration or addition of historically-accurate wood architectural elements, such as moldings, stairs, windows, built-ins, furniture, beams, and fireplace details.
Craftsman Door Repair
I loved working on this home restoration and getting my client’s entry door secure, functional, and aesthetically back to its original state as much as possible. I went out to mid-city Los Angeles to help a customer with their Craftsman home and a door jamb that was forced open.
The jamb trim was cracked and the strike plate was pulled loose, causing the door to not shut correctly. The fastest fix was to patch, reset the strike and adjust to get a tight fit on the door.
Interested in restoration of your doors, windows, or other woodwork?
A completely custom door we built from African mahogany, 1910s vintage hardware and stained glass
The Idyllia Door
As featured in:
1880’s Oak Door Restoration, University of Souther California
What our clients are saying:
“Chris is a true professional and master at his craft. He has a passion for old homes and is extremely skillful in design. I would highly recommend if you want something done right!”
— Kyle M.
“I absolutely loved working with Christopher! He possesses a true love for old homes and has an incredible amount of design knowledge. Christopher spent so much time with me working on the design for my new front door - he wanted to be sure it fit the period of my home, but also wanted it to have character. Christopher put so much detailed work into my door - from the Douglas Fir door panels, to the adorable hinges and knob, to the period glass window. I can't say enough how much I love the new door - it has completely changed the look of the front of my house!” — Eileen K.
“For once, the algorithm did something I liked by putting Christopher’s work in my Instagram feed. The front door to our 1912 craftsman was damaged by a locksmith who didn’t know what he was doing. I reached out to Christopher via Instagram, explained what happened, and how important the details of my home were. I could tell by our conversation he understood and that craft mattered to him as well. He asked for some measurements after I provided a few photos, we set up a time, and he took care of business. The work is wonderful; exactly what I wanted and our door is better than ever. We’re definitely going to have Christopher do some more work on our house. I’m glad to have met him.”
— Khari S.
"Although it took us a couple of years to decide on a replacement entrance door for our Spanish Colonial Revival, Christopher exceeded our expectations delivering a true masterpiece. The choice of materials and attention to detail are exactly what we expected. The incorporation of our original vintage door hardware and “speakeasy” window gives our door the perfect vintage look. Our new door undoubtedly adds significant value and character to our 1922 home and we are fortunate enough to have it as an entrance. This custom door is a testament to the artistry and skill of Christopher and is sure to be a source of pride and admiration for years to come."
— Paul & Norma P.
By the numbers
25%
lower cost compared to high-end US custom door makers. Low overhead enables us to invest in sustainable hardwoods, hand details and 0-VOC stains.
30%
faster delivery compared to most suppliers. We can typically deliver a custom door in 9-10 weeks, compared to 12-15 week average from most suppliers.
1000s
of custom options not available from most custom shops. We will help you source beautiful reproductions or true vintage hardware, glass and other beautiful details.
One-of-a-kind
Every door is designed for the client. Hardware, wood, materials and dimensions are custom for the client.
The details tell the story. We are able to source beautiful reproductions or find you authentic vintage hardware, speakeasy windows, and custom glass inserts for your door.
Details matter.
1920’s era cast iron lockset
Custom leaded glass insert
FAQs
Do you have a specific question?
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In most cases, yes! If it’s in acceptable condition, we can use your existing door, or perhaps an antique from a salvage store. There are pros and cons to using a salvage door, vs. building a new door from scratch. Sometimes we can make it look just like your original door for a similar price, but there’s nothing like a true antique to honor a home’s history.
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We specialize in crafting custom doors tailored to your exact specifications. We can work with you on a custom design, wood type, style, dimensions, and any unique features you desire.
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We can design and build virtually any style of door. We encourage sustainable hardwoods and finishes, and can source from thousands of options for vintage and reproduction hardware, custom glass and other details. We provide a range of finishing options, including stains, paints, and protective coatings. You can select from our curated finishes or request a custom finish to match your existing décor perfectly.
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Our doors are crafted using time-honored techniques and designs inspired by historical architectural styles. Each door is meticulously handmade, ensuring authenticity and a touch of history in every piece.
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We are committed to sustainability. We source wood responsibly followin FSC and CITES standards, use zero-VOC finishes, and employ energy-efficient production and disposal methods to minimize our environmental impact.
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The lead time for a custom door order can vary based on the complexity of the design and current demand. Typically, we should have a product to you 8 weeks from receiving the initial deposit. Our team will provide you with a detailed timeline when you place your order, keeping you informed throughout the crafting process.
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Certainly. Contact us to receive digital samples or receive physical samples of glass, wood and stains.
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Yes, our doors are designed to be energy-efficient. We incorporate advanced insulation techniques to ensure your door not only looks stunning but also helps in maintaining the desired temperature inside your home.
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Like most custom door companies, we cannot offer installations for all geo areas. Instead, we will refer you to a few certified partners in your location, who can provide the highest quality installation.
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Yes, we can design doors for both interior and exterior applications. While our page focuses on exterior doors, interior doors are available and typically at a lower price point.
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Let’s chat, either by email or phone. We will need to know a few details like door dimensions, materials, styles, and any specific details you require in order to generate a rough quote.
The Batten door making a statement in a beautiful 1920s home. Montrose, CA.
Go with the grain.
We only use sustainable hardwoods. We favor mahogany, Douglas fir and oak for their beauty and historical use in California homes. We also work with alder, walnut and many others. The images below show the grain pattern and texture of these woods, but note that each can be stained to most any color.
Mahogany
White Oak
Douglas Fir
Find your hue.
We use low-VOC stains and finishes. Choose a pre-set color, or we can mix something custom to match your existing woodwork.
Let’s connect.
Send us a message to talk about your upcoming door project and get a quote.