“Exploring panel doors and more…”
Is a door simply a tool to keep out the cold and wind or is it something we should all pay far more attention to as we enjoy visiting historic homes? I think doors are often one of the most important architectural features of any home. The home’s front door is most often the first significant element of architecture you encounter. Currently, my son and his wife are building a new home, and even in 2017, one of their major decisions has been that all-important front door.
Architects have long known this and worked diligently to create an inviting door entrance. As we often say, you only have one opportunity to make a positive impression, and it is the front door that often sets the stage forward. Unfortunately, most of today’s doors are fabricated in a mold and do not offer the sharp edges, distinct panels, grained effect, and shading of historic doors. Is the old-fashioned wooden door being totally replaced by fabricated panels and imitation cut glass?
Doors do make a tremendous contribution to the character of a dwelling. I can often view a door or two within an historic home and know which pattern book the builder was using and what type of casings will — or at least should — be used in tandem. What many individuals refer to as “Cross and Bible” doors remain my favorite, but know that just because a house featured this style door didn’t mean the owner was religious. I sometimes think museum docents unknowingly read from the same book of common lore. This style, at least in the southeastern U.S. commonly replaced the adequate but plain board and batten door as soon as homeowners were financially able to do so. Builders seem to have repeatedly used the same style door over decades even, in some cases, when styles had clearly changed. Most often these elements of the home were purchased from regional door and sash manufacturers. Every county of any size boasted at least two such businesses. By the mid-19th century the business of supplying finished goods such as sashes, doors, tiles, newel posts and even mantels was large business.
A wonderful neighbor once had his farm laborer deliver a wagon of 1840’s doors to my home. His instructions were that if Mr. Fairey didn’t want them, dump them in a deep ditch on the way home. These beautiful doors, of which I still have six or more, were made with hand tools, raised panels, and had trim applied with cut nails. If I dismantled them, I would perhaps find a name or two of those who constructed them. So, please don’t begin to suggest that doors made in 2013 can in anyway match or replace the artisanship of a handmade door. It is therefore my strong suggestion to keep an eye open for used doors, particularly those made prior to the 1860’s; they are beautiful treasures which, I believe, are irreplaceable.