Woods of Choice (Hardwoods)

The woods listed here are all great choices for any door. Only Maple is recommended for use in only interior doors, the others can be used for either interior or exterior doors. All of these woods are what we consider to be classic woods of enduring beauty.There are many species of wood. In fact, there are 1650 species, and 81 species from that list are commonly used in door construction. But within that 81 species which are commonly used in door construction there may be many varieties. For instance, Mahogany is an absolutely beautiful wood for use in a very high-end door. But there are 85 varieties of Mahogany – and even more woods which are called Mahogany but really aren’t.

Several Mahogany woods, such as Honduras Mahogany, are really quite beautiful and have a stunning appearance when finished. Others woods which may be Mahogany really aren’t what we would consider appropriate for a high-end custom door and would pale next to a Honduras Mahogany door.Because we specialize in custom doors, some of which are actually pieces of art when we finish them, Monarch Custom Doors only uses the most select woods from around the world. So, before you make a purchase decision, be sure which species, and which member of that species you will be getting.Below is a list of just a few select woods you might want to consider. There are also many others you could choose from depending upon your particular taste and requirements. There are even very scarce woods, or reclaimed woods which you could select. Or, there are woods which are more easily obtained like Oak, Narra, Beech and Ash which are less expensive woods but still make for excellent doors.

Additionally, there are veneers which might be used in some applications such as an overlay on a security door to make it look like a normal door.Whichever material you choose for your doors, Monarch Custom Doors and our artisans and crafts people are dedicated to providing you with doors of exceptional quality and finishes. The detail and delicacy of their work creates doors which are true masterpieces – doors which will last for the ages.

Brown Alder

Brown Alder is a member of the Birch family. Alder is found in areas of Alaska and California and is a beautiful wood for interior uses because it accepts stains well and will finish nicely. The wood can be either quite knotty, or available in pieces with little, or no knots. Alder is a mid-premium price range.

Black Cherry

Black Cherry can be a rich reddish – brown color that darkens with age. It is unsurpassed in its finishing qualities. Color variations between boards can be significant. Cherry is a premium price wood.

European Cherry

European Cherry has less color variation as that found in Black Cherry. It also is a premium price wood.

Pecan

Pecan is a species of Hickory. It is one of the heaviest and strongest woods available. Color range is from white tan to reddish-brown. It is a extremely tough and resilient wood. Pecan is a mid-premium price wood.

Brazilian Kingwood

Brazilian Kingwood, also known as Brazilian Rosewood, has the respect and mystique of no other tonewood. It is included in the category of endangered species. Substitutes include East Indian Rosewood, Amazon Rosewood, and Honduras Rosewood. Brazilian Kingwood is a premium price wood.

Mahogany

One of the most beautiful Mahogany species, of which there are 85, so it is important to know the source of the Mahogany because the quality can vary greatly from different regions of the world. Mahogany from the Caribbean is thought to be the best. Honduras Mahogany is a premium price wood.

Sugar Maple

A heavy, dense wood with a fine texture. Sugar Maple is a hardwood with excellent resistance to abrasion and takes stain well. Sugar Maple is a mid-range price wood.

Narra

Narra is primarily from the Philippines and Southeast Asia and is sometimes called East Indian Mahogany. This wood stains well and has a beautiful grain. A perfect wood for a good quality door. Narra is a mid-range price wood.

Honduras Rosewood

A rare wood, Honduras Rosewood ranges in color from light violet to light red. The wood finishes to a high, natural polish. This wood is a premium price wood.

Teak

There are at least 18 varieties of Teak, so it’s important that the right one is selected. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it is a extremely heavy wood and very durable. Teak is a premium price wood.

Black Walnut

A rare wood that is often chocolate brown in color. Black Walnut is one of the most versatile and popular woods for use in fine cabinetry. Black Walnut is a premium price wood.

European Walnut

Like Black Walnut, European Walnut is also a beautiful wood used in fine furniture. It is also a premium price wood.

Dark Red Meranti

Dark Red Meranti. The source of this species is mostly from Southeast Asia. This wood species is also called Mahogany, but is of a slightly lesser quality than Honduras Mahogany; however, it still is a beautiful wood, and less costly than the Honduras species and could be used for fine doors. A mid-range price wood.

Brazilian Rosewood

From Brazil and India, Brazilian Rosewood is a rare, endangered species and may be banned from commercial trade. This wood is the Holly Grail of woods used for musical instruments. Brazilian Rosewood is a premium price wood.

Reclaimed & Exotic Woods

If you prefer we can obtain a variety of reclaimed or exotic woods from around the world. Often, this might require us to obtain the wood from one part of the world and ship it to where our artisans are located in another part of the world. Depending upon the wood choice, this may add several weeks to the time required to craft a door.

Great metal choices

Whether the entire door is composed of metal, or it is made from a combination of metal, wood, glass and even gold inlay, our crafts people will ensure your satisfaction.There are several fine choices of metals to choose from which are used in the art of door construction. The choice of metals is really a personal one that is influenced by individual taste and perhaps budget. Obviously, a door of pure gold might be the most expensive door known, while a door of cast iron would be quite inexpensive in comparison. Whichever metal you choose, Monarch Custom Doors assures you that you will be very pleased with your selection.Whether the entire door is composed of metal, or it is made from a combination of metal, wood, glass and even gold inlay, our craft people and artisans who work in metal will ensure your satisfaction.

The difference between both cast iron and wrought iron is really whether the metal has a very high carbon content, such as cast iron does, and must be poured into a mold because it can’t be forged, or rolled. Wrought iron, on the other hand, has much lower carbon content so it can be forged and welded.Copper is a beautiful metal and is easily worked. Bronze and Brass, which are really copper alloys also are used in the construction of fine, luxury, and special purpose doors (see the set of double bronze theater doors on this web site). The doors can be made of solid metal, or a metal overlay on a different material depending on the particular requirements for the door. Additionally, those metals can also be used as inlays on wood and glass doors.Whichever metal, or combination of materials you choose, out artisans and crafts people will provide you a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Cast Iron & Wrought Iron

Traditionally a popular option for fences, gates, railings and grilles, these materials are occasionally utilized in designer doors as artistic elements or as base materials. Bi-annual inspection and maintenance will ensure lasting beauty. All Monarch Custom Doors wrought iron doors and window frames are made from a very heavy 12 gauge wrought iron. 12 gauge wrought iron is .1046 inches thick, and weighs 4.267 lbs. per square foot. Compare that to 14 gauge wrought iron, which is .0747 inches thick, and weighs 3.047 lbs. per square foot.

This means that a 12 gauge wrought iron door of any size is 28.6% heavier, and 29% thicker than a similar 14 gauge wrought iron door. Because of this, a 12 gauge door is a much stronger wrought iron door and much less susceptible to damage, or the effects of weather.

Brass

An alloy formed from copper and zinc, this metal is even harder than bronze, and like bronze is fairly corrosion resistant and is less expensive than copper.

Bronze

An alloy first made from copper and tin around 3,500 BC, the metal was so important that an entire age named “The Bronze Age” is referred to by historians. The metal is harder than copper and can be used as an overlay, or as a solid for doors.

Copper

Formed from the lava minerals that occur during volcanic activity, it was first discovered around 9,000 BC in the Middle East. Copper, when used, is generally used as an overlay to another material such as wood.

Gold and Silver

These two metals were forged when a supernova exploded billions of years ago creating temperatures not found anywhere else in the universe. What natural metal could be rarer than these? These two metals, if they are used, are used primarily as inlays due to their expense.

Aquatex

Clear

Coarse Linen

Flemish

Frosted Glass

Glue Chip

Granite

Green Tint

Grey Glass

New Diamond

Rainstorm

Reed

Sandblast

Tea Glass

Water Cubic

Water Ripple

Wood

Oil Rubbed Bronze

Aged Bronze

Aged Pewter Patina

Aged Pewter

Bronze Patina

Gold Blush

Gold Bronze Punch

Matte Black

Rustic

Rose Copper