The entrance door of a home can make a great impression on whoever is entering the home. If you have a unique aesthetic or a theme for your house, it is best to have the same continue when you are building the doors and windows. The entire house should have a story and harmony.

You can ask your friends and family or your design consultant about where to find custom door suppliers. There are different wood options for custom doors. You can select a wood based on the climate you are in, budget and aesthetics. The door manufacturer will be able to help with the technical aspects of the door. You can get a recommendation from them about which material will be better suited for your climate. Some of the common wood options you have are mahogany, alder, cherry and walnut. Mahogany is quite a material that has very few visual inconsistencies and it is unlikely to be dented. The natural colour of mahogany leans towards reddish brown. This colour will darken over time. Mahogany is a more expensive option when compared to alder. Alder is a more cost-effective material and it can be finished in different ways. However, it is a soft wood that is prone to dents. And it is best to have a stain and a glaze on the door to ensure that it doesn’t fade from being in the sun. If you want a natural finish, then it is best to go for a wood that can withstand harsher climates.

Cherry wood has a nice grain profile and it is harder than alder. You can easily stain this wood as well. But this is on the pricier side. Another option is black walnut which is also expensive but it can give an elegant look to your entrance making the investment worthwhile. You may experience some fading in the sun so you can ask the manufacturer about how they can provide a solution for this. The custom door manufacturer will have a portfolio of completed doors. You can go through them to find a style and finish that you like. It is best if they can take the measurements of the doorway themselves so that there’s no room left for error. 

If you are considering inserting glass panels or going for a different wood stain, you can ask the manufacturer about what they recommend. Glass inserts can bring in a bit of light into the house and it can give an elegant look. But the sizing and proportion of the glass insert need to be thought out in relation to the overall size of the door. You can either go for clear glass or custom glass. This will depend on the degree of visibility you are looking for. You will need to think about the level of privacy as well if you are installing a glass insert for the front door. The finish of the door can be anything that you prefer. There are door distress options that give a more rustic appearance and will hide some of the fading that the door will have over time. You can also ask about the types of stains that the manufacturer can do depending on the type of wood you select. Depending on the stain, you can bring out the natural grain pattern if the wood, change natural colour to something that you prefer, give an antique look to the wood etc.