Simpson Solid Wood Doors: Authentic Luxury

By Mark Williams | Exterior Remodeling Expert

In a market currently dominated by steel and fiberglass, many homeowners looking to remodel their entryway ask me: Why would anyone buy a real wood door anymore? Aren't they too much maintenance?

The answer is simple: Authenticity.

While premium fiberglass doors look very close to wood from the street, nothing replicates the weight, the smell, the warmth, and the exact grain structure of a real, solid piece of timber when you actually touch it. Simpson Door Company is one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of these luxury wooden entryways in America, and they are my primary source for high-end wood installations.

Premium Wood Species

Simpson sources some of the finest lumber in the world for their doors, allowing me to help homeowners perfectly match their specific architectural style:

• Mahogany: Deep, rich, and naturally weather-resistant. It provides an incredibly elegant, formal look for grand entryways.
• Douglas Fir: Features a beautiful, tight vertical grain pattern that is absolutely essential for authentic Craftsman, Bungalow, and Mid-Century Modern homes.
• White Oak: Incredibly hard and durable, offering a classic, rugged Americana aesthetic with heavy grain texture.
• Cherry: Smooth and incredibly luxurious, offering a deep reddish hue that gets richer as it ages in the sun.

Customization and Craftsmanship

Because it is real wood, the customization options with a Simpson door are literally infinite.

• Custom Sizes: Simpson can build a door to any exact, custom dimension. This is crucial for historic home renovations where the old, settled rough openings are never perfectly square or standard size.
• Custom Designs: If you can dream it, they can build it out of wood. You can have custom panels carved, specific intricate glass shapes cut, and specific sticking profiles routed.
• The "Nantucket" Series: For extreme weather, Simpson offers the Nantucket line, which uses modified mortise-and-tenon joinery and specific wood species (like Nootka Cypress) that are naturally rot-resistant even without a deep porch overhang.

Pros and Cons from the Field

My Experience (Pros)

• Unmatched Beauty: Nothing feels or looks exactly like real wood. It elevates the entire facade of a home.
• Weight and Sound: Solid wood provides excellent acoustic insulation and a heavy, satisfying feel when closed.
• Customization: Infinite possibilities for historic matching and unique architectural designs.
• Repairable: Scratches and dents can be sanded out and re-stained (unlike fiberglass, which is very difficult to repair perfectly).

My Experience (Cons)

• Cost: It is a luxury product. A custom wood door system can easily cost $3,000 to $8,000+.
• Insulation: Wood naturally has a lower R-value (insulation rating) than foam-filled fiberglass.
• Maintenance: It is an organic material that requires constant care.

The Reality of Maintenance

The luxury of real wood comes with a significant responsibility: Maintenance. I am completely transparent with my clients about this before they order.

Unlike fiberglass, a wood door is an organic, living material. It will expand and contract with humidity. If exposed to direct sunlight and rain, the UV rays will break down the clear coat, and the water will cause the wood to swell, warp, and eventually rot.

• The Overhang Rule: To protect a standard Simpson door (and to keep your warranty valid), you absolutely must have a substantial porch overhang (usually extending at least half the height of the door outward to block sun and rain).
• Annual Varnish: You should expect to lightly sand and re-apply a marine-grade clear coat (like spar urethane) every 1 to 2 years to keep the door looking museum-quality.

If you are willing to maintain it, a Simpson solid wood door is an heirloom piece of furniture that completely elevates the entryway of your home.