The utility of a front door is obvious: it’s how you enter and exit your home each day. But there’s more to it than that. A front door is more than just a door. It’s a portal. On the outside lies a world of endless possibility. On the inside, there’s a place you’ve worked to make your own. A place you’ve filled with love. Front doors also keep you safe and protected from the outside world. It’s important that they stand up to the elements and can stand the test of time.   

Front doors are the face you show the world. That’s why it’s important to choose a front door that’s beautiful, durable, and special to you.   

Standard—this door type is the most common, available with either standard butt hinges or concealed hinges. 

Pivot—this door type uses pivot hardware on the top and the bottom door, and can accommodate taller and wider doors than standard doors. 

Dutch—split in half horizontally, this door is ideal for families will small children and pets, or if you want a door that allows for more fresh air without dirt or debris. 

Round top—this door type features a rounded silhouette for a touch of Old World charm.  

Double—also called French doors, double doors are perfect for patios, commercial spaces, and extra large entryways.  

At RealCraft, we use wood and glass for our entry doors. We offer over twenty different wood species for exterior doors, with traditional and exotic options. All our wood species are suitable for exterior doors. Our glass is insulated to make it appropriate for exterior applications.  

Our doors are built to order with solid wood and traditional joinery. We offer dozens of designs that suit any style. We also offer an exclusive white oak threshold, which prevents water damage to the door and jamb thanks to its water resistance. Premium upgrades like side lights and transoms and door-matched wood jambs are also available. The result is a door as unique and authentic as you are. 

We recommend that unless you are very experienced with home improvement projects or have a background in construction, you hire a contractor to install your new door. Paying a professional ensures that you avoid amateur mistakes that can cost even more in the long run. And if the door is installed well, that adds to its longevity, preventing problems like water damage. Typically it doesn’t take long to install a new door, whether it’s just the slab or pre-hung with the jamb. It usually takes a few hours. Reframing takes longer, up to a day or more.  For more details, please see our Door Installation Instructions.

Our doors are designed to be low maintenance. But you may need to make some tweaks here and there. If you live in a place that has big temperature changes between seasons, you may need to tighten or lubricate your hinges. You should also adjust the door sweep to make sure it keeps the door sealed against the elements. It may wear down with time and need to be adjusted.  

Our hardwax oil finish options may need a refresh once every one to three years depending on exposure. Unlike plastic based varnishes, hardwax oil finishes don’t chip or flake off, so you don’t have to sand them to refinish. Simply clean the surface and reapply the finish, removing excess and rubbing in for best results.   

If your door gets dirty (weather, pets, children, etc.) you can clean it with a gentle soap and water. If you have to clean the hinges for any reason, make sure they dry thoroughly.   

For more details, read our blog How to Protect Your Front Door From the Weather.

When well-cared for and properly installed, a high-quality exterior door lasts for decades. We use traditional joinery methods to improve the longevity of our exterior doors.  

Door handing can be tricky because different companies use different terminology. We prefer to keep things simple. The best way to figure out the door handing is to stand with your back to the side of the door jamb/rough opening where the hinges will be (or the side where you want the pivot to be if buying a pivot door). Then pretend that your arm is the door. If you want a door that opens to your left, it will be a left handed door. If you want a door that opens to your right, it will be a right handed door.  

Still have questions? Watch our video Inswing vs Outswing and Door Handing, Explained.

If your door is to be an inswing door, that means it will swing into the house. If it’s an outswing door, it will swing out from the house, towards the outside. Most exterior doors are inswing. That’s because an inswing exterior door places the hinges on the inside of the house, where they’re protected from the elements. Outswing exterior doors must have hinges made from weather-resistant materials like stainless steel or brass.

Yes, we can make your dreams come to life and build a custom door. Fill out our intake form for a free customquote.

There are a couple reasons why you may want to replace your existing door. The first is if the door is warped enough that it doesn’t function well, or if it’s too old to restore.   

The second is if you’re deciding to remodel your home or change other aspects of the exterior, like paint, roof materials, or windows. Replacing the front door keeps everything cohesive and beautiful. It may even add to your home’s value, and it improves the curb appeal.    

We’re proud to offer financing options on front doors up to $17,000 with Shop Pay Installments. Learn more on our financing page. 

Our entry doors come with a 1-year warranty covering craftsmanship and material integrity, so that your investment is protected. Read our full Warranty Information.

RealCraft doors are shipped in custom-made wooden crates for maximum protection during transit. Free shipping is available for customers within the contiguous United States. Shipping protection is available on all door orders to give you total peace of mind.

Since wood is a natural product with inherent variations, no two pieces of wood are ever the same. For representations of our current wood stock, please order wood samples.