Door Decisions

“Everything is slower, although remodeling is a bright spot,” says PFT’s Carole Reams. “People are investing in their homes because they are staying in them. Then when the time comes to sell, their investment will be repaid.”

Marvin’s Arch Top French door is available in either an in-swing or out-swing door. The rails, stiles and the lite pattern of the door can be designed to align with accompanying side lites or Round Top windows. Arch Top is available with the shadow-lines of a raised panel or a flat panel and features tempered, one-lite insulating glass. The doors have a multipoint locking system with satin taupe handle on the active panel and a matching dummy handle on inactive panel.

Simpson Door Company’s Artist collection of doors includes a line called Designs on Nature. The Designs on Nature theme is offered in full-lite exterior French doors, as well as flat- and raised-panel doors. Simpson Artist Collection doors are available in Douglas fir, Western hemlock, red oak, knotty alder, maple, cherry, mahogany, and a variety of additional species through Simpson’s Custom Door Manufacturing Facility. The doors are 1 3/4 in. thick, 3 ft. wide and can be specified in heights of 6 ft. 8 in., 7 ft. or 8 ft. Doors from the Designs on Nature edition that feature a 3/4-in. thick flat panel include California poppy, Northwest garden and Scottsdale cactus.

“Replacing flush wood doors, with molded panel doors is an easy and inexpensive way for homeowners to quickly add character, color and style throughout a home,” says Bob Merrill, president and CEO of CMI. “For remodelers, the additional selling points are that molded doors resist swelling, shrinking and splitting caused by seasonal weather changes.”

CraftMaster offers its Cashal arched-top, two-panel plank interior door in standard 6-ft. 8-in. and 7-ft. heights, as well as an 8-foot-tall version. Cashal is available in passage widths from 1 ft. 6 in. to 3 ft. in either hollow-core or solid-core construction, and with finger-joint or MDF stiles and rails. Bifolds are available for most standard openings from 2 to 6 ft.. All CraftMaster interior doors, including Cashal, are made from molded, high-density fiberboard to resist shrinking, cracking and joint separation, and they are covered by the company’s five-year limited warranty.

Green continues to be a key selling point for doors. At CMI, Merrill has seen a “great demand for doors with a ‘green specification’ impacting all of the various components with specific interest in sustainability and low formaldehyde emissions.”

“In California, the state’s new formaldehyde emission regulations are having an impact,” explains Elizabeth Souders, JELD-WEN product marketing manager, doors. “We’ve responded with molded interior doors that have skins with no added formaldehyde. This interest in no formaldehyde is starting to extend to other regions of the country as well.

“When it comes to balancing economics and sustainability, energy efficiency continues to be a top priority not only because it has major environmental implications but also because homeowners can realize the immediate benefit of lower utility bills,” says Souders.

JELD-WEN has introduced the AuraLast wood exterior door frame for maximum protection against wood decay and insect damage. These frames can be finished to coordinate with the desired look for the entry system. JELD-WEN also offers a clad AuraLast frame with their custom fiberglass doors.

“Energy efficiency and code compliance will continue to grow in importance within the market,” says Kolbe’s Lance Premeau. “Consumers are savvy in terms of doing research on product performance and are really well-educated in understanding how specific door products can help the efficiency of their homes. Codes are continuing to become more stringent in various regions of the country.”

Bigger opportunities

Large doors are a big trend as they combine aesthetics with practicality. Grand openings look incredible and, for those with mobility issues, they are an incredible life enhancement.