In order to accommodate a wide range of customer needs and budgets, we offer three grades of finishes: standard, filled and furniture grade.
1. Each door is examined for defects from the manufacturer. If we can repair a dent or scratch, we fix it. If we find any serious defects we return the unit and replace it with an undamaged door.
2. The door is hand sanded to break all sharp edges and smooth any rough surfaces.
3. The door is stained with either a stock color or a custom blended stain to match the customer’s sample.
4. The door is sealed with a water based urethane sealer.
5. For a full-finished door or a furniture grade finish, the door is then filled with a custom tinted wood filler.
6. The door is lightly sanded to remove any wood filler left on the wood surface.
7. After filling and sanding we start spraying with either an interior or a UV -protectorate exterior finish.
8. We sand the first coat.
9. We spray a second coat of finish.
10. The second coat is sanded.
11. A third coat of finish is applied. This would be enough for our standard finish, however for a full-filled finish or a furniture
grade finish, another coat of finish would now be applied and then again lightly sanded.
12. More coats are added as necessary to produce a furniture grade finish.
13. Each door is inspected before packaging.
14. Doors are either stretch wrapped or covered with resin paper to protect them in shipping.
Some of our other custom offerings are distressing and glazing.
If you live in the area, you are most welcome to visit either of our shops to choose your color. While there, we will apply different color stains to the same wood species as the door you are purchasing.
If you are not able to visit us, you can send us a sample color piece that we will have custom blended to match on your species of wood.
You may pick a color from one of our gallery pictures on our website, however you should keep in mind that due to variations in photography, printing, and color monitors, the color may vary from the actual finished color.
Exterior finishes will not last indefinitely. In order to protect and prolong the life of your door you must maintain the finish periodically.
The frequency required to apply a new topcoat to your door is directly related to the exposure your door receives to the sun and elements. If you start noticing minor cracks, dulling, or flaking in the finish you MUST touch up those parts of your door immediately to avoid damaging the wood surface. Usually this will be noticed first on the moldings or at the bottom of the door.
It is important that you inspect your door periodically for these conditions to avoid your finish deteriorating and possibly damaging the wood.
Step 1: If you have any flaking or peeling finish you should use synthetic steel wool or fine-grade sandpaper to remove the flakes.
Step 2: Wipe the door thoroughly with a cleaned dampened cloth with mineral spirits to remove all dust, dirt, oils, and waxes before applying a new topcoat.
Step 3: Use an Exterior Marine grade Varnish Topcoat to recoat your door.
Read the manufacturer’s Instructions carefully before you start. Make sure the surface is completely dry. Brush on at least two coats, allowing each coat to dry COMPLETELY before applying the next coat. Make sure you apply to all exposed surfaces and edges of the door.