The original entry was a plain white aluminum storm door system over a set of double glass doors, functional, but visually flat against the warm red brick and traditional black lantern sconces already flanking it. The glass had gone hazy and yellowed with age, and the plain aluminum frame gave the entry no real architectural character of its own.
Project Story
The thinking behind the work
The Starting Point
The Thinking
The brick and the existing lanterns already had a traditional, classic character that the aluminum doors weren't living up to. Moving to a true double wood door brought real material warmth to the entry, and a clean six-lite glass grid over a single raised panel per leaf struck the right balance. A rich medium-brown stain was chosen to sit naturally alongside the red brick, and dark, sculptural handleset hardware replaced the plain aluminum door pulls with something that reads as genuinely crafted.
The Execution
Built as a double wood door, each leaf glazed with a six-lite glass grid across the upper two-thirds and a single raised panel below. Finished in a warm, medium-brown stain that complements the red brick without competing with it. Hardware is a substantial dark handleset with a sculpted thumb-latch grip, replacing the aluminum door's simple hardware entirely.
The Result
The entry now matches the traditional character the brick and lantern sconces were already setting, solid, warm wood in place of hazy aluminum glass, with hardware and a stain that make the whole opening feel like it was designed as one piece rather than a mismatched storm door bolted onto a nice brick facade.
Specification
Unit Size
6'-0" x 8'-0"
Panel Thickness
1¾"
Joinery
Mortise-and-tenon, no mechanical fasteners.
Glass
Clear glass, six-lite grid pattern per leaf over one raised panel below
Finish System
Marine-grade exterior finish, six sides
Hardware
Dark handleset with sculpted thumb-latch grip
Installed By
Scobis
Common Questions
Why replace an aluminum storm door system with a solid wood double door?
Aluminum storm doors are practical, but they don't bring the same warmth or character as real wood, especially against a brick facade with traditional lantern sconces already in place. Solid wood gives the entry material substance and a finish that ages well, rather than a thin aluminum frame around hazy glass.
Why a six-lite grid instead of a single large glass panel?
A divided grid pattern reads as more traditional and detailed than one large pane, which suits the classic brick-and-lantern look of the home. It also keeps a good balance between daylight coming through the door and having enough solid wood below for security and a sense of weight.
Why choose a medium-brown stain rather than a darker or lighter tone?
A medium-brown stain sits naturally next to red brick without fighting it, too dark and the door can look heavy or disconnected from the warm brick tones, too light and it loses the rich, traditional character the entry calls for. This tone lets the door and the brick read as one cohesive palette.
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