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How to Design a Custom Door

From sketch to final installation, here’s everything you need to know before designing a custom door.

Your Guide to Starting a New Project

Do you have a vision for your home’s entryway, but aren’t sure how to achieve it? Or, are you searching for the perfect door from a big box retailer only to find that nothing is quite right? Every homeowner who has been there can rest assured—there are completely custom door options available with no limits on your creativity. These bespoke entryways are the perfect focal point for a new build, or a home that needs a simple refresh.

For over 50 years, Clark Hall’s team of artisans and experts have been collaborating with homeowners, designers, and builders to bring their visions to life. Our fully custom iron doors are beautiful, high quality, and built to last. From the first sketch to final installation, we are your guide throughout the entire process, helping you make a grand entrance—whatever that may look like.

Benefits of Buying a Custom Iron Door

When you consider ways to make your home truly one-of-a-kind, your entryway is typically the first thing that comes to mind. It’s the first hello as you welcome family and friends, and it’s the window into your world—the backdrop that frames your most cherished memories. So, why not invest in something that’s completely you?

  1. Fully Custom & Functional

When we say fully custom, we mean it. At the start of every project, we collaborate closely to create a sketch and detailed CAD drawing that specifies your desired pivot points, silhouette, size, glass type, window placement, hardware, finish, and more. No details goes untouched. Have a custom size exterior door in mind? Give us your desired dimensions, and we’ll work diligently to produce a custom solution—each door is made to order, and goes through an extensive fabrication process that we manage from end to end.  

2. Highly Durable & Secure

Although our doors are beautiful, there is no sacrifice in quality or functionality. In fact, those are key benefits of our custom doors. Each piece is individually made and designed specifically to fit your vision, going through an intensive detailing process before it’s presented for installation. Plus, if you live in an area with extreme weather, enjoy peace of mind that our doors are certified to meet some of the strictest hurricane wind ratings and Florida building codes. 

3. Nearly Maintenance-Free

Compared to traditional wood doors, our custom iron doors require no regular maintenance to preserve their appearance or functionality. You may clean the surfaces with a mild soap, water, and non-abrasive cloth to remove dust and other small scuff marks. Additionally, while most wood doors come with a 1-year warranty, ours come with a 10-year structural warranty and a 5-year warranty on the finish.

Get Inspired with Custom Door Styles

If you’re overwhelmed by the endless possibilities, we recommend starting with the basics. After you find a general style that suits your taste, feel free to flex your creativity and tweak specific elements. For example, if you want a custom size exterior door, we will want to scale all dimensions accordingly.

Modern

Defined by their clean lines, slim profiles, and minimalist hardware, our modern iron doors can be tailored to suit any home. We love a contemporary door with large windowscapes to brighten the interior, and a bold yet simple Charcoal finish. Gather some inspiration when you check out these 6 modern front door design ideas

woman walking through a custom iron door

Ornate

Intricate, detailed, and eye-catching, our ornate iron doors are handcrafted to include wrought iron scrollwork and spirals, framed by elegant silhouettes to make a statement. This door style also looks stunning in a wine cellar for added charm.

an ornate custom door

Traditional

Paying homage to traditional door styles is still important—no matter how you choose to customize it. Opt for a classic, timeless frame that creates an inviting ambiance, and then elevate it with transoms and sidelights for an extra layer of light.

a traditional style custom double door with a charcoal finish

Patio 

From timeless French designs to sliding glass doors and scenic windowscapes, our custom iron patio doors help you create a seamless transition from the interior to the exterior. Personalize the layout and panel display, and enjoy operable glass that opens independently from the door for easy cleaning.

a modern style custom patio door

Wine Cellar

If you’re looking for a conversation-starter, consider creating a fully functional and completely custom wine cellar door. Our iron doors are a beautiful way to help you display and preserve your wine collection, and they can be designed in any style—from modern to ornate.

A wine cellar equipped with custom iron doors

How to Start Your Custom Door Project

Now that you’ve narrowed your focus and finalized your vision, it’s time to officially kick off a project with our team—and getting started is simple. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Schedule a consultation to share more about your project over the phone, or at one of our design studios.
  2. Share a picture of your inspiration, including desired dimensions and silhouettes.
  3. Receive a quote and review a detailed CAD drawing of your custom door or window.
  4. Approve the CAD drawing and send the piece through the custom fabrication process.
  5. Enjoy seamless installation 10-12 weeks after the design is finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Doors

How much does a custom door cost?

The cost of a custom door will vary greatly depending on the size of the project. For example, an entire patio door transformation complete with a custom window wall will cost more than a traditional style, single panel door remodel. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team to learn more about pricing details. However, on average, projects start around $10,000.

Can you special order door sizes?

Yes, you can work with our team to create a custom size exterior door that suits your home and style preferences. Each of our doors are custom fabricated, so no size requirements or creative ideas are off the table.

How do I make a custom sized door?

To make a custom size exterior door, we recommend gathering your desired dimensions and inspiration photos to share with our team during a consultation. We can also visit your home to confirm measurements. From there, our experts will be able to make specific recommendations and a detailed CAD drawing to approve before the door is designed and installed.

Learn more about iron doors today.

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