Hi hemv2003-ga ~
This was an interesting subject for a lot of reasons. First, I love
wood, and besides, when's the last time we've seen a wooden screen
door?
Well, the good news is, the Internet in one way or another has just
about everything you might never want to learn about wooden screen
doors.
Regionally, they're very popular in the northeast, midwest and in
Canada. They're not such big sellers in the west and desert southwest,
probably because the dry climate tends to also dry the wood in the
screen doors. Not that you asked for it, but I live in Arizona, and
wrought iron 'desert style' screen doors are pretty popular here. We
use them in the winter to let in the nice climate. In summer, we keep
closed up tighter than a drum and run the air conditioner.
Okay, you asked for 20 websites. So many neat sites, I decided to list
them in no particular order, but saved the one I think is the absolute
best for last.
1. Do It Yourself.com
Raritan, NJ
========================
You know it had to come down to this ... when you want it "done
right", do it yourself.
http://doityourself.com/doors/buildascreendoor.htm
Here you have all the information you need, with all those fun words
like "tape measure" and "circular saw" and the step-by-step
instructions on "how to" I'm listing this first, because if you're not
the handy type, you may want to skip this one immediately and move on
along.
Just in case: http://bandaid.com/index2.html
2. Woodshop Net - Sound Beach, NY
===================================
Their site is interesting ... neat pictures of wood furniture,
beautiful wood patio and garden furniture, mill work information,
patio decks, log style furniture, and lots of information on the
various types of wood.
- http://woodshop.net/
Not to be outdone by those whatever this year's fad is, they also have
PVC furniture. The irony is not lost on me.
About their screen doors, they have "Over 200+ Design Options ... and
Now Available In Redwood & Red Cedar", and styles from Colonial &
Victorian Doors to Mediterranean and Cape Cod. I didn't even know they
had screen doors in the colonies!
- http://woodshop.net/wnshop/sdoors/
The wood types are Mahogany, Oak, Pine, Douglas Fir, Redwood, Western
Red Cedar, and they even have a sort of do-it-yourself type by
choosing your own brackets:
- http://woodshop.net/WSN_Downloads/download_catalogs/WOODEN%20BRACKET%20COLLECTION-WEB.pdf
I'd trust this information - and there's a lot of it. The site can be
a bit confusing, but there are some interesting graphics, so even if
you get a bit lost, it's worth it to see what this place has to offer.
I'd say this is a good place to start ... you can learn a lot about
things like standard door sizes, the types of screen they use, and
there's enough of a variety to get one started on his quest for the
"perfect" screen door.
3. Coppa Woodworking - San Pedro, CA
=====================================
Besides the really bad background, which looks like badly stained
plywood, and the facts that you have already seen these graphics in
No. 1 above, you learn a couple new things on this site.
- http://www.coppawoodworking.com/
For instance, they install the magnet bottom doggie doors in any size:
- http://www.coppawoodworking.com/dogdoors.html
French door handles (for the truly international flavor, I guess):
- http://www.coppawoodworking.com/fdh.html
and one more wood style - Eastern Red Oak, as differentiated from the
Western Red Cedar listed above. Why they find it easier to sell
eastern woods in the west and vice versa has not yet been revealed.
- http://www.coppawoodworking.com/sd1.html
You might want to skip a repeat of the screen styles, as they're the
same as No. 1 above, and by the time you get through all seven pages,
you might start thinking those wrought iron doors aren't such a bad
idea.
The information here, while a repetition of the information above (I
suspect there will be a good deal of that, after all, just how much
innovation can you achieve with a screen door?). As with any surfing
through a lot of websites, certain details start sinking in.
4. Vintage Woodworks - Quinlan, TX
====================================
Vintage has been in business since 1978, and their slogan is "Bringing
Back Yesterday in Quality and Service". A millworks with a good
history and lots of information, this site is friendly and is filled
with some interesting facts.
- http://store.yahoo.com/vintagewoodworks/
Start with Our History and how a mill works got into the mail order
business, which is pretty interesting in itself. I'm trying to
envision shipping a screen door UPS.
- http://store.yahoo.com/vintagewoodworks/ourstory.html
to facts about types of woods - for instance: poplar and cyprus are
better woods for outdoor than pine (aha! something new learned), and
comparable in price.
- http://store.yahoo.com/vintagewoodworks/standardpoplar.html
some neat on wooden screen doors which also double as storm doors
- http://store.yahoo.com/vintagewoodworks/screenstordo.html
some usage photos, which seemed a bit startling. Some of these it
looks like they put the wrong door on the wrong house! You can learn
something about taste here, I guess
- http://www.vintagewoodworks.com/products/SDusage.asp
And how to measure for a screen door
- http://store.yahoo.com/vintagewoodworks/orin.html
5. Knock on Wood - Caledonia, ON, Canada
==========================================
WARNING! One of those Flash entry pages ... even worse, with SOUND!
Turn your speakers down, or don't say I didn't warn you when you jump
six inches off your chair!
Normally, I'd immediately hit my back button and they'd never get a
second glance ... or thought. Don't make that mistake in this case,
though. Knock On Wood is a Canadian Company which specializes in
crafting Victorian screen doors. "Craft" is the word, so sit back for
a treat!
- http://customscreendoors.ca/
With a price tag of $1850, this is more than a door, this is art! See
for yourself, and read about the love and finishes put into these.
Scroll down the page to the Mystery for a mere $1995 ... wouldn't this
be perfect for Halloween?
- http://customscreendoors.ca/products/artform/artform.html
"Knock on wood screen doors are handcrafted by a master
carpenter.
* No plywood or finger-joint wood used
* Crafted from 1 3/8" solid Canadian pine
* Dowelled hardwood joints- preventing any possible
frame separation
* Thick detailed molding hand cut to fit
* 1" hand-turned spindles
* Designed to last a lifetime (if properly maintained)"
- http://customscreendoors.ca/products/vicdoors/victoriandoors.html
This is definitely no DIY kit ... and they're just beautiful to look
at!
6. Mi Home Products - Gratz, PA
=================================
In sharp industrial contrast to the above site which has a such charm,
Mi Home Products offer a bare-bones, unpainted screen door. Make no
bones about it, these are nice doors, and it's immediately obvious
they are good quality.
- http://www.mihp.com/
Their classic and standard doors look alike, but seeing the finished
products with a new coat of paint and in use can change your mind.
- http://www.mihp.com/standard.asp
There's something comforting and welcome about their doors installed.
7. Doodlewood Woodworks, St. Joseph Island,
Ontario, Canada
=============================================
Oh yes! It's hard to believe these are really screen doors! Who said a
screen door has to look like everyone else's? The owners of
Doodlewood, Fran and Frazer Close, know better:
- http://www.doodlewoodscreendoors.com/aboutus.html
Click on the link to look at the hand-crafted wooden handle
- http://www.doodlewoodscreendoors.com/aboutus.html
Spend some time looking at their designs
- http://www.doodlewoodscreendoors.com/doors.html
Notice there's a coyote (for the desert southwest here)
- http://www.doodlewoodscreendoors.com/doors2.html
Here's a chance to go stay and learn from someone who understands that
utility does NOT have to be boring. They even have a bed & breakfast!
- http://www.doodlewoodscreendoors.com/bedandbreakfast.html
Okay, you may not learn anything else, except that these are special,
and go ahead and admit it, wouldn't you love to have one, too? Can you
ever look at screen doors the same way again?
8. Screen Tight - Georgetown, SC
==================================
You can't have screen doors, wooden OR aluminum without the screens,
and Screen Tight has a special splining system to install and hold
that screening material tight.
- http://www.screentight.com/facts.htm
You can learn such facts as: "... there really have been no
improvements or innovations to the classic American screen door. The
method of construction and the material (usually wood) have basically
always been the same. As prime wood has become scarcer the overall
quality of screen doors in America has actually decreased."
- http://www.screentight.com/facts.htm
Obviously this place doesn't know about Doodlewood?
And there are some showroom pictures of his product here
- http://www.screentight.com/gallery.htm
There's a comfort in all that white and those porch scenes. Makes one
think of the South.
9. Cumberland Woodworking Inc.
Carlisle, PA
================================
This is another company who understands the value of craftsmanship. It
shows in their site,
- http://www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com/
And more so in their information about screen doors. They use Spanish
cedar for its durability, offer interchangeable decorative inserts,
installation of windows to double as storm doors.
- http://www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com/doors/door1.htm
Check their Victorian styles here
- http://www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com/store/merchant.ihtml?pid=824&lastcatid=7&step=4
or their traditional styles here
- http://www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com/store/merchant.ihtml?pid=841&lastcatid=7&step=4
or design your own on their automated, interactive website here
- http://www.cumberlandwoodcraft.com/store/merchant.ihtml?pid=556&lastcatid=7&step=4
This is one of the best ways to learn about the 'how-tos'.
10. Michigan State University Extension Service
East Lansing, MI
================================================
If you don't care to use the Screen Tight product from No. 7 above,
you'll need to replace the screen in your door sooner or later. Here's
the place to find out just how to do it.
- http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod02/01500163.html
I wish all instructions were written this well.
11. Yesteryear's Vintage Doors & Millwork
Hammond, NY
===========================================
Besides some exquisitely beautiful doors, Yesteryear's prides itself
on using kiln-dried hardwoods and solid wood. And each door is
hand-made.
- http://www.vintagedoors.com/
They've established a heritage of how they make the doors, from the
chosen wood to the finish.
- http://www.vintagedoors.com/about.shtml
Here's their gallery, and it's well worth taking the time to admire
the good workmanship and appreciate the years of experience that go
into creating these.
- http://www.vintagedoors.com/gallery1.shtml
12. Cedar Key Screen Doors
Cedar Key, FL
===========================
Now, here's some information on creating and maintaining stylish
screen doors!
- http://www.cedarkeyscreendoors.com/
The creators of these beauties know both wood and how to design a
screen door for the Florida keys.
- http://www.cedarkeyscreendoors.com/aboutus.htm
"... Wood is affected by many factors. If your door is shielded by a
porch or overhang it is much less likely to crack or warp than one
that is exposed directly to long periods of sunlight and/or rain.
Temperature and humidity also affect wood, causing it to expand and
contract. The life of your door depends on how much it is protected
from the elements and how well it is finished and maintained."
- http://www.cedarkeyscreendoors.com/screendoors.htm
They ship their doors unfinished, with detailed painting and
maintenance instructions. A walk through their gallery to get a peek
at these whimsical creations is well worth the time.
- http://www.cedarkeyscreendoors.com/screendoorcatalog.htm
While I'm still trying to grasp shipping a screen door, at least if
you don't like it, you can return it. Check out their guarantee:
- http://www.cedarkeyscreendoors.com/screendoors.htm
13. Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork
Wausau, WI
===========================
Kolbe & Kolbe aren't just standard bearers, they helped SET the
standards for building materials and the how-tos of doors, windows and
frames for the construction industry.
- http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com/
Here's more than you may ever want to know about preservatives for the
woods, using PILT (Preservative In-Line Treatment) by PPG
- http://www.kolbe-kolbe.com/features_wood_preservative.shtml
And here's an article from Door & Window Maker Magazine about the
quality workmanship of Kolbe & Kolbe:
- http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:_AIJqlTpm-MJ:www.usglassmag.com/Door_and_Window_Maker/Backissues/July-Aug03/Custom.htm+wood+screen+doors&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
14. Frederick J. Miller Custom Woodwork
Grey County, Ontario, Canada
========================================
Fred Miller follows a family tradition of custom woodwork, including
screen doors in the Victorian gingerbread style.
- http://www.canadianwoodcraftsman.com/
A third generation woodworker, Miller says, "Fine workmanship comes
from respecting yourself and honoring the values of those who
nourished the trade throughout the years...and that includes our
forests. If it's not part of who you are, no amount of success will
suddenly bring it out of you."
- http://www.canadianwoodcraftsman.com/about/
His gallery of photos all have a warm feeling, and his screen doors
"fit" right where they are installed.
- http://www.canadianwoodcraftsman.com/customdoors/
Again, tradition and style show the artisan in these screen doors.
Who'd have thought you could find 'art' in something so utilitarian?
15. Old House Parts Company
Kennebunk, ME
----------------------------
So far as websites go, this one is really dreadful to look at ... on
the other hand, there is fascinating salvaged parts of old homes and
buildings which are available for others who may be restoring their
own 'old home', and not just for screen doors, either!
- http://www.oldhouseparts.com/
Do take a look at the screen doors from a long-bygone era. Even after
decades, the workmanship and beauty of these salvaged doors is
evident:
- http://www.oldhouseparts.com/screen_doors.htm
I know someone will claim these beauties from the past and add them to
their own "oldie but goodie"
16. All About Home.com
(A ServiceMaster Site)
This is another site with common sense maintenance tips for screen
doors, such as preventing slams and damage using door closers, and
common sense tips to keep a screen in tip-top shape.
- http://www.allabouthome.com/tips/structure/stormscreendoors.html
17. The Screen Door Lady
Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada
==============================================
Maker of hand-crafted screen doors with inlaid screens. They use only
kiln dried solid fir, pine or cedar. We do not use veneers or
composite boards. This Mom and Pop operation have found a niche for
their beautiful doors.
- http://www.screendoorlady.com/
Check the 'southwestern' flavor of her "Tombstone" and "southwestern"
door on her display page:
- http://www.screendoorlady.com/doors.html
18. Wooden Screen Door Company
Waldoboro, ME and Norway
===============================
This site is another small shop with hand-constructed screen doors.
This is an excellent site for understanding the reasoning and building
of good solid screen doors.
- http://www.woodenscreendoor.com/about_us/index.htm
Most of their screens are made to order, although they do maintain a
small inventory of doors in stock.
- http://www.woodenscreendoor.com/doors_instock/index.htm
And a catalog of doors they have designed, here:
- http://www.woodenscreendoor.com/doors_new/
19. Beyond the Screen Door
Huron Park, Ontario, Canada
This company began with one screen door, that its founder, Michael
Burke, bought for his father as a gift in 1986. Since then, they have
become one of the manufacturers of better screen doors in Canada.
- http://www.btsd-inc.com/Company.html
Comes with instructions on how to decide on the size
- http://www.btsd-inc.com/WhatSize.html
How to install and maintain the door
- http://www.btsd-inc.com/Wood.html
And a showroom of their ready to paint doors
- http://www.btsd-inc.com/Showroom.html
and ... tadaaaa!
20. Ogilvie's Planing Mill dba Hoffmeier's
Siebringville, Ontario, Canada
===================================
This is the site I said I was saving for the last. In a nutshell, this
is a small company which makes custom-made screen doors.
- http://www.hoffmeyersmill.on.ca/
What makes them special, first of all, is the site. It's not a bad
site, but it's not the best, either. But ... it is put together with
much love.
Take a look at the company's long history. These people LOVE what they
do!
- What's new
And their FAQ
- click on FAQ
No catalog, they make to order, and they don't maintain stock. They
work that wood, they put in hours of craftsmanship based on years of
combined experience. Take a look at their staff and how long they've
been there ... especially Rabbit!
- (click on staff)
And their five page 'gallery' of screen doors ... this is how it
should be done!
Any firm that keeps their cat around for 14 years, has to have some
harmony going for it. With harmony comes great craftsmanship. It seems
a very win-win situation.
===========
Summary
===========
It's pretty hard to make a lot of distinctions in screen doors. We've
mentioned the woods, finishes, no finishes, veneers, maintenance,
styles, designs, etc.
As a rule, I chose the websites (even some that were badly designed)
that exhibited a love of creation and pride in craftsmanship.
Time after time you see construction, fitting, and precision work to
make the screens solid and durable. Some of these craftsmen and women
carry it further - and it becomes pure art. No one who puts that time
and effort into a product should be ignored.
Most of the artisans and those who actually use screen doors, as I
mentioned, seem to be Canadian, the midwest and the northeastern
United States. Those areas are the lucky recipients of some beautiful
products, from the simplest door to the most lavishly painted.
Thank you for the opportunity to track down information like this. Who
would have thought screen doors could be so interesting?
================
Search terms
- wood screen doors
- wooden screen doors
- wood screen doors + southwest
Regards,
Serenata |