This guide showcases over 50 carriage door designs to spark your imagination. You'll also learn about key style elements, and how to select the right wood species, hardware, and features for your project.
What Are Carriage Garage Doors?
Carriage garage doors are swing-out door systems that open with hinges rather than rolling up on tracks. Dating back over a century, these doors originally protected horse-drawn carriages in estate carriage houses. Both classic and modern designs are possible for carriage garage doors, though traditional styles tend to be more common.
Unlike standard roll-up garage doors, carriage doors add architectural detail and can be automated with modern swing-out door openers for convenience. They also look much more at home on custom, historic, or luxury homes.
Traditional Carriage Door Styles
Traditional carriage doors work beautifully on Colonial, Craftsman, Victorian, and farmhouse-style homes. These designs emphasize symmetry, classic joinery, and time-tested proportions. These are the design hallmarks of traditional carriage doors:
Rail and Stile Construction
Rail-and-stile joinery features vertical stiles and horizontal rails forming a frame around flat or raised panels. Our carriage doors use mortise and tenon joinery, one of the strongest wood joints available. This centuries-old technique requires precision. But that precision is what delivers unmatched durability. Unlike many other wood joint types, mortise and tenon joints virtually never fail.
Z-Brace and X-Brace Designs
Diagonal braces add both structural support and visual interest. Z-brace carriage doors feature a single diagonal running from corner to corner, while X-brace designs have two diagonals crossing in the center. These details evoke barn doors and the simple charm of countryside estates.
Symmetrical Layouts
Traditional designs favor bilateral symmetry—if you split the door down the middle, each half mirrors the other. This instinctively pleasing arrangement has stood the test of time across architectural styles.
Small Glass Panels
Traditional carriage doors often include small window panels near the top, allowing natural light into your garage without compromising privacy or security.
Modern and Contemporary Carriage Doors
Modern carriage doors avoid ornate details in favor of clean lines, flush surfaces, and bold geometric glass patterns. These designs suit mid-century modern, minimalist, and contemporary homes. Here are the most common design features of modern outswing carriage doors:
Vertical Plank Construction
Wide vertical planks in frameless construction showcase the natural beauty of solid wood. We often embed metal reinforcements within these planks for added stability without visible hardware interrupting the clean aesthetic. Our commitment to specialty, ultra-durable wood joints is unwavering, whether the design is modern or traditional.
Flush or Full Thickness Surfaces
Rather than raised or recessed panels, modern carriage doors feature flush surfaces where all elements sit at or near the exact same depth. This creates a luxurious appearance that emphasizes the thickness and quality of the wood itself.
Geometric Glass Arrangements
Diagonals, offset horizontal strips, or asymmetrical window placement replace traditional symmetrical panes. Modern carriage doors also often feature more glass than wood, for a more open look and feel.
Minimalist Hardware
Concealed hinges, sleek pull handles, and matte black or brushed nickel finishes complement the pared-down aesthetic.
Rustic and Farmhouse Carriage Doors
Rustic carriage doors embrace texture, knots, and weathered finishes. These designs work best on farmhouses, cottages, mountain homes, and any property where relaxed, lived-in charm takes priority over neatness or formality.
Knotty Wood Species
Knotty Alder, Tight Knot Cedar, and Knotty White Oak celebrate the natural character of wood. Knots, grain variation, and color shifts add one-of-a-kind personality.
X-Brace and British Brace
Exposed diagonal braces provide structural support while evoking barn doors and agricultural heritage. The British brace references the lines of the Union Jack flag.
Strap Hinges and Ring Pulls
Hand-hammered strap hinges and rustic ring pulls are the accessories that complete the farmhouse aesthetic. These aren't just decorative, they're functional hardware that can support heavy solid wood doors.
Distressed or Natural-looking Finishes
Many rustic carriage doors use finishes that allow the wood to develop a silver-gray patina over time. Alternatively, distressed finishes can simulate years of weathering right from installation. And "dead flat" matte wood finish is ideal for use on reclaimed wood.
Choosing the Right Wood Species for Carriage Doors
The wood species you select is one of the most important design choices for your doors. It impacts appearance, durability, and maintenance requirements. Here are our most popular carriage door wood options, based over the past twenty years that we've been building them:
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar contains natural compounds that resist rot, insects, and moisture damage, making it ideal for garage doors exposed to the elements. Its natural reddish-brown tones warm up any exterior. Cedar is a softwood, but it's incredibly durable. In fact, in the wet and rainy Pacific Northwest, it's the go-to choice for doors, fences, and other outdoor applications.
White Oak
White Oak offers excellent strength, hardness, and natural water resistance. Its prominent grain pattern adds visual interest, and it takes stain beautifully if you want to go darker. For all of these reasons, White Oak is among the most versatile wood species for both traditional and modern designs.
Black Walnut
Our most popular wood species for carriage doors, Black Walnut features rich chocolate-brown tones, with occasional streaks of blonde. It makes a bold statement but requires an overhang for protection from direct sunlight (more on that below).
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir is a strong softwood with prominent grain patterns and natural orange-brown coloring. It stains well and its lower density makes it ideal for very large carriage doors.
Knotty Alder
If you want rustic character, Knotty Alder delivers. It has a light tawny brown base color with darker knots. With a clear finish on top, Knotty Alder becomes more golden and vibrant.
Sapele
This African hardwood resembles mahogany with its reddish-brown color and interlocked grain. We use the quarter-sawn version of this lumber, which reveals shimmering golden streaks in the wood grain that shine in the sun. Sapele adds exotic appeal to modern carriage door designs.
Hardware and Accessories for Carriage Doors
Hardware selection completes your carriage door design. The hardware you choose impacts both the look and functionality of your doors.
Hinges for Carriage Doors
Strap Hinges
Strap hinges are long hinges extending horizontally onto the door surface. They're often a signature element of carriage door design. They can be functional or decorative; if your doors are especially wide and heavy, strap hinges are necessary for reliable operation. But strap hinges are also perfect for a rustic or period-accurate look on historic homes and structures.
Standard Hinges
Ball-bearing hinges provide smooth operation for outswing garage doors. Choose finishes that coordinate with your handles and other hardware.
Concealed Hinges
For modern designs where you want low-profile hardware, concealed hinges mount between the door and frame, leaving surfaces clean and uninterrupted. These hinges work particularly well for modern and contemporary carriage doors, allowing the door design itself to take center stage.
Hardware Finish Options
Black iron, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, and brass are popular finishes. Make sure to match your hinge finish to your handles and door locks for a cohesive look. And if you live close to the ocean, you'll want to make sure your door hardware has stainless steel as a base material to protect against corrosion.
Handles and Pulls for Carriage Doors
Ring Pulls
Circular or D-shaped rings mounted to decorative backplates bring a sense of historical character to traditional and rustic carriage doors. Our ring pulls are hand-forged for us by a master blacksmith.
Bar Pulls
Horizontal or vertical bar handles work on both traditional and modern designs. Size and finish determine whether they read as rustic or contemporary.
Flush Pulls
Recessed pulls sit flush with the door surface when not in use, maintaining clean lines on modern carriage doors.
Locks and Security Hardware
Mortise lock sets provide robust security with traditional aesthetics. For modern convenience, smart locks can be integrated into carriage doors without compromising the design. If your carriage doors are automated, ensure your locking mechanism is compatible with your automatic opener system.
Glass Options
Glass panels balance natural light with privacy. But don't assume you have to stick to standard clear glass. Options include:
Clear Glass: Maximum light transmission
Insulated glass: ideal for garages that are insulated, or for carriage doors on workshops or living spaces.
Frosted Glass: privacy with diffused light
Seeded Glass: vintage character with slight distortion
Decorative Glass : leaded or custom patterns for unique character
Automation Options for Outswing Carriage Doors
One of the biggest advantages modern technology brings to carriage door design is automation. Automatic swing-out door openers let you enjoy the timeless beauty of carriage doors without sacrificing the convenience of a remote-controlled garage door. How do they work? It's simple: swing-out openers use motorized arms attached to each door panel. When activated by remote, wall switch, or smartphone app, the arms push the doors outward or pull them closed.
Swing-out carriage doors require unobstructed space in front of your garage. Measure carefully—you need enough driveway or courtyard space for the doors to swing fully open without hitting vehicles, landscaping, or other obstacles.
Our Automatic Opener Systems
The Franklin Automatic Garage Door Opener is specifically designed for swing-out carriage doors. It also has a suite of accessories, like the Smart Home Connector and Extended Range Antenna, to customize the system for your unique needs.
The Fremont Outswing Automatic Opener provides reliable automation with a sleek low-profile design.
image 14. Studio Rockwell Design with custom length glass panels. A great option for retails stores and boutiques
image 15. set of classic Oz design with single window and rustic ring pull.
image 16. studio Rockwell with clear glass and triangular hinges.
image 17. set of three Classic Z Brace doors with clear glass and strap hinges.
image 18. white Craftsman Traditional Style with small hinges.
image 19. redwood Classic Z Brace Style with strap hinges.
image 20. set of three Classic British X in white with strap hinges
image 21. double craftsman traditional with clear glass and strap hinges.
image 22. classic Z brace in green.
image 23. unfinished classic arch with strap hinges.
image 23. classic X brace with clear windows.
image 24. classic mid-brace with galvanized panels and small hinges.
image 25. duo tone classic mid-brace
image 26. beige craftsman traditional with matching entry door.
image 27. craftsman traditional with galvanized panels.
image 28. handless white craftsman panel.
image 29. double classic Z brace.
image 30. set of Z brace style doors.
image 31. low clearance classic Z brace.
image 32. craftsman traditional original in red
image 33. green craftsman traditional with clear glass
image 34. classic mid-brace
image 35. seamless set of craftsman traditional original with long strap hinges.
image 36. craftsman traditional with arched glass.
image 37. set of unfinished classic Z brace with long hinges.
image 38. craftsman traditional with extended casing.
image 39. green classic z arch with strap hinges.
image 40. classic X brace with medium hinges and privacy glass.
image 41. white square brace.
image 42. craftsman traditional with letternbox.
image 43. craftsman traditional with double glass panels.
image 44. studio sargent with long strap hinges and squared windows.
image 45. blue classic mid bar arch
image 46. classic british X with small hinges.
image 47. blue craftsman with long hinges.
image 48. classic Z brace with clear glass.
image 49. double classic brace arch.
image 50. contrast green craftsman style with galvanized panels.
Carriage garage doors do more than close off your garage. They define your home's character. And they create that homecoming feeling every time you arrive. Whether you're drawn to traditional symmetry, rustic texture, or modern minimalism, there's a carriage door style that fits your vision.
Browse our complete collection of carriage doors, explore hardware options, or request a custom quote to get started on your project.
Damon Bundshchuh
August 04, 2023
Hello, I am looking for 2 sets of doors for a garage. Each opening is 7×9. The space it somewhat tight so I was imagining a bi-fold with one swing for each opening. Something along the lines of SL08.
Thank you for your time and advice.
Damon