Choosing the Right Wood

The wood you choose shapes how your door looks, feels, and lasts. And each species has its own character — grain, color, and movement. The right match depends on where the door will live and how you want it to age.   

Every door we build starts with solid, kiln-dried hardwood, never veneers or composites. Each one is hand-sanded, built to order, and reviewed for fit before it leaves our shop — so your door starts strong and stays that way.

When selecting your wood, start with three simple questions:

Where is the door going? (interior or exterior)
What look do you want? (painted, stained, or natural)
How much exposure will it get? (covered, open, or enclosed)

Your answers will point you toward the woods that best suit your space — and it’s exactly how we’ve organized our recommendations below.

Wood Options by Door Type

Screen & Storm
Exterior
Interior
Porch Enclosures

Woods for Screen & Storm Doors

Built for airflow, protection, and everyday use, these woods combine weather resistance with lightness and strength. We’ve organized them by exposure level so you can select the right wood for your porch or entry — whether it’s fully covered or open to the elements.

Jump to: Full Exposure | Partial Exposure | Protected |

Woods for Exterior Doors

Legacy-grade, solid wood doors built to face the weather and keep your home secure. Each wood offers its own balance of strength, stability, and natural beauty once finished and installed.

Jump to: Full Exposure | Partial Exposure | Protected |

Woods for Interior Doors

Solid hardwood construction gives interior doors their weight, warmth, and lasting feel — no veneers, no hollow cores. Use this guide to choose your wood by finish type. Each species offers its own balance of tone, texture, and character, so you can match your home’s style or create a new one that feels true to it.

Jump to: Classic Finishes | Unique Character | Painted Finishes |

Woods for Porch Enclosures

Built for outdoor living, these woods are chosen for strength, stability, and beauty in changing weather. Select your wood based on how open your porch is to sun, rain, or humidity — and the overall style you want to complement. We use the same wood species across your entire Porch Enclosure System to ensure consistent color, grain, and performance across every panel.

Jump to: Full Exposure | Partial Exposure | Protected |

Full Exposure

Best for screen & storm doors that are directly exposed to the elements: sun, rain, and snow.

African Mahogany

Vintage Doors Recommended. Our top pick for screen doors exposed to wind, rain, or cold. Dense, stable, and naturally rot-resistant — holds up without warping.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain, Paint

Vertical Grain Douglas Fir

A porch classic. Straight-grained, stable, and long-trusted for screen doors in damp or shifting climates like the Northeast.

Recommended Finish:

Stain

Honduran Mahogany

A porch classic. Straight-grained, stable, and long-trusted for screen doors in damp or shifting climates like the Northeast.

Recommended Finish:

Stain

Spanish Cedar

Lightweight with a fine grain and soft color. Naturally insect- and moisture-resistant — great for coastal areas or wooded settings. Accepts both stain and paint.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain, Paint

Western Red Cedar

Naturally beautiful with a soft, relaxed look. Ideal for cottage-style homes and cabins. Resists rot even when unfinished.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Partial Exposure

For screen & storm doors that are in covered locations, partially exposed to weather and the elements.

Black Walnut

Vintage Doors Recommended. Our top pick for screen doors exposed to wind, rain, or cold. Dense, stable, and naturally rot-resistant — holds up without warping.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain, Paint

Quarter Sawn White Oak

Steady vertical grain lit by silvery rays and flecks. A premium, historically accurate, and remarkably stable wood that holds up well in temperature-changing conditions.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Cherry

Traditional and warm-toned. Ages beautifully on covered porches where it’s protected from direct sun and rain.

Recommended Finish:

Clear

Red Oak

Familiar hardwood with visible grain. Use only in enclosed or semi-protected settings — not ideal for full weather exposure.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Maple

Dense and smooth. Works well for storm doors in protected areas where a clean, refined look is preferred.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain, Paint

White Oak

Tougher than red oak and more moisture-resistant. A dependable choice for storm doors that face seasonal elements.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Ash

Durable and shock-resistant. Ideal for storm doors in high-traffic areas that take daily use and occasional knocks.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Protected

For screen & storm doors that are in completely protected locations.

Knotty Alder

Rustic charm for country homes or cabins. Use in covered areas — not recommended for full exposure to rain or sun.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Knotty Pine

A softwood with vintage appeal. Great for protected porches on historic homes, but must be kept sealed and covered.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain,

Eastern White Pine

Budget-friendly and easy to paint or stain. Only recommended for interior-facing or fully enclosed porch entries.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Southern Yellow Pine

Heavier and stronger than Eastern Pine. Holds paint well — best used in covered or protected settings.

Recommended Finish:

Clear, Stain

Poplar

Smooth, stable, and ideal for painted screen doors in fully enclosed or interior porch areas.

Recommended Finish:

Paint