Recommendation for wood for custom doors?

[ManCave]

Hi Guys,

I have to build some custom doors and build the door trim/casing/jam etc. These are for door openings on balconies overlooking a sort of courtyard inside our home.

I've got rough openings and I need to build the rest from scratch. We're going for a look that is somewhat of a tuscan look. I'm assuming the wood will be painted...perhaps even with a fake wood grain.

I know that I can buy clear pine boards but I'm curious if you have any other thoughts on what I should consider for the materials?

You guys always have great ideas. Thanks for the help!

 

[Cyberbear]

True clear pine or fir boards come at a high price and do not hold up well for exterior use w/o good quality paint in several coats. Try looking at poplar or alder, which are hardwoods and hold up better, especially with quality paint. There is no sense paying big money for something you can't see after paint. For the amount of abuse exterior door openings receive, pine is too soft, unless you enjoy the "distressed" look.

 

[rcktsled]

It's not clear from your description if these doors will see exterior exposure. If so, I wouldn't use any softwoods. The traditional choice would be something like mahogany for exterior doors. Making doors is a lot of work. Don't go cheap on the wood.

 

[longez]

It's not clear from your description if these doors will see exterior exposure. If so, I wouldn't use any softwoods. The traditional choice would be something like mahogany for exterior doors. Making doors is a lot of work. Don't go cheap on the wood.

^^^^ good advice. If using mahogany try to find true (Honduran) mahogany and not African (Sapele) or Phillipine. We made a door from left over ipe decking and it has held up well.

 

[rcktsled]

We made a door from left over ipe decking and it has held up well.

Yup, ipe would be a great choice too. Probably cheaper and easier to find than good mahogany.

 

[Kaizen]

assuming only interior doors I vote poplar if getting painted.
exterior door depends on what actually hits it like sun or rain. I've never seen ipe in that thick of a board. good god mahogany I can't imagine how much that would be but sure would be perty.

 

[ManCave]

It's not clear from your description if these doors will see exterior exposure. If so, I wouldn't use any softwoods. The traditional choice would be something like mahogany for exterior doors. Making doors is a lot of work. Don't go cheap on the wood.

They are interior doors.

 

[woodzy]

We made a door from left over ipe decking and it has held up well.

That door must have weighed a ton!! That stuff is dense.