Choosing the Best Wood for your Exterior Front Door: Expert Tips

Published: September 03, 2021

By the Estate Millwork Design Team | Craftsmen since 1997

Beautiful Raised Panel front exterior door

Beautifully designed wooden exterior doors enhance your home's exterior style and make a bold and lasting statement. There are several other materials out there that try and replicate the look of an exterior wooden door but these do not compare to the enduring and time tested beauty of real wood.

The weight and strength of a solid wood front door is unmatched in elegance and quality that will resonate for years to come. When it comes to choosing a new wooden exterior door; quality hardwoods that can withstand the everyday abuse and exterior elements are the preferred choice.

Sun Exposure

One of the most important factors is the doors exposure to the sun. If the door is facing between north and northeast with an overhang or awning you will have many years of maintenance free beauty before you need to refinish the door. Meanwhile if your door is southern facing with minimal cover and receiving long periods of sun exposure this door will likely require more regular maintenance to compete with the sun and other exterior elements.

Durability

When it comes to your exterior wood door the aesthetics come second to the material you choose for your new door. When choosing a wood for your door it should highly durable, decay resistant and be able to weather the seasonal changes with minimum swelling or shrinking. When it comes to exterior wood doors we recommend woods such as mahogany, cedar, oak or even knotty alder.

Door Types

Estate Millwork offers many different types and styles of doors that can be used as exterior doors. Visit one of our designers to get started designing your new exterior wood door or get an instant quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood species work best for interior doors?

Poplar is the most popular choice for painted interior doors due to its smooth grain and affordability. For stained doors, Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut each offer distinctive grain patterns and color tones. The best species depends on whether you plan to paint or stain.

How are custom wood doors different from big-box store doors?

Custom wood doors are built to your exact dimensions using solid hardwood and traditional joinery methods like mortise and tenon. Big-box store doors are typically hollow-core or use engineered materials. Custom doors offer superior sound insulation, durability, and a solid feel that mass-produced doors cannot match.

Can I order a custom door in a non-standard size?

Yes. Estate Millwork builds every door to your specified width and height. Whether you need a narrow pantry door, an oversized entry door, or a door to fit a historic opening with non-standard dimensions, we can accommodate your requirements.

What door styles does Estate Millwork offer?

We offer louvered, raised panel, flat panel, French, barn, arched, and mission style doors. Each style is available in multiple wood species and can be ordered painted or unfinished. Our online designer lets you configure every detail and see an instant price quote.

Design Considerations for Custom Wood Doors

Measure the rough opening, not the existing door, when ordering a replacement. Include the width, height, and wall thickness so the door and jamb fit correctly.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, choose a harder wood species like White Oak or Maple that resists dents and wear better than softer species.
Louvered doors are an excellent choice for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces because the slats promote air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and musty odors.
When matching new doors to existing trim, bring a sample of your current wood or finish to compare. Estate Millwork offers the same species and can match stain colors for a cohesive look.