Custom Wood Carriage Doors
Handcrafted luxury doors that enhance your home's curb appeal
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Detroit's historic neighborhoods were built with craftsmanship front and center. Corktown bungalows, Indian Village Colonials, Boston-Edison Tudor revivals, Palmer Woods estates. These homes were designed to make an impression from the street, and a stamped steel door does nothing for them. A custom wood door does. We build and install custom wood garage doors throughout Detroit using cedar, redwood, and hemlock, sized and styled to match what the house is actually asking for. If you've been putting it off because you weren't sure who handles this kind of work in Detroit, this is the page.
Wood doors require genuine commitment. They need sealing or staining every two to three years to hold up against Michigan winters. If that maintenance schedule fits your ownership philosophy, there is no better-looking door on the market. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that honestly and point you toward alternatives. But for the homeowner who wants the real thing, read on.
Built for your house, not a catalog
Every custom wood door we build starts with a conversation about the home. We look at the architecture, the existing trim details, the roofline, the windows. A carriage house door for a Corktown two-flat should not look like a carriage house door on a Palmer Woods estate. Scale matters. Proportions matter. Hardware choices matter.
We work with you on species selection, panel configuration, window placement, hardware finish, and stain color. The result is a door that looks like it was always there, because in a sense, it was designed to be.
- Custom sizing for non-standard historic openings
- Period-appropriate hardware in iron, bronze, or black steel
- Window inserts matched to home's existing light patterns
- Factory or site-applied stain and sealant finishing
Choosing the right wood species
The species you choose affects appearance, durability, maintenance frequency, and cost. We stock all three of these and can walk you through samples in person. Here is how they compare for Detroit's climate and the demands of an exterior garage door.
Naturally rot-resistant, dimensionally stable, and takes stain beautifully. The most popular choice for Detroit's Craftsman and bungalow stock. Warm reddish-brown tone that deepens with age.
Premium grade with exceptional natural resistance to moisture and insects. Deep, rich red-brown color with fine, straight grain. The preferred choice for Indian Village and Palmer Woods estates where longevity is the priority.
Light tan with fine, even grain that accepts paint exceptionally well. More affordable entry point into custom wood. Requires slightly more frequent sealing but paints beautifully for a crisp, contemporary look.
Door styles we build
Style selection should be driven by the architecture of the home. Here are the four designs we work with most often in Detroit, and what each one is suited for.
Carriage house
The gold standard for Detroit's historic neighborhoods. Divided sections with decorative strap hinges and hardware simulate the look of swing-out doors. Ideal for Corktown, Boston-Edison, and any pre-1940 architecture.
Raised panel
Classic symmetry with recessed or raised rectangular panels. Works well on Colonial and Georgian homes in Indian Village and Palmer Woods. Clean, formal, and timeless without being ornate.
Flush / modern
Smooth face with horizontal grain emphasis or clean verticals. The right choice for modern renovations or homes where the owner wants warmth of wood without traditional detailing. Pairs well with contemporary hardware.
Plank / rustic
Vertical board planks with Z-brace detailing. Works on carriage houses, coach houses, and properties where a less formal aesthetic is appropriate. Popular with homeowners restoring Midtown and Woodbridge properties.
How we work with you on a custom order
A custom wood door is not something we quote over the phone and show up to install. There are decisions to make together, and the process takes more time than a standard door swap. Here is what to expect from the first call through installation day.
Initial consultation
We start with a phone conversation to understand the home, the opening dimensions, and what you're hoping for in terms of style. If you have photos of the exterior or a style direction in mind, share them. We'll tell you immediately if something is feasible and what the realistic price range looks like.
On-site measurement and design review
We come out to measure the opening precisely, check the header clearance, assess the existing track and hardware situation, and walk through design options with you in front of the actual house. This is where we settle on species, style, panel layout, window placement, and hardware.
Fabrication and finishing
Lead times vary by complexity, but most custom wood doors take three to six weeks from order confirmation to delivery. Stain color and finish are applied before delivery or on-site, depending on the product. We confirm the schedule with you before anything is ordered.
Installation and hardware set
Professional installation includes removing the old door, setting the new door on proper springs and hardware, installing all decorative elements, and confirming that the door balances correctly. We do not leave until the door operates the way it should.
A well-chosen wood door brings continuity to a historic facade. This is a permanent feature of the home, not a commodity purchase.
What maintenance actually looks like
This is the section most vendors skip. We don't, because a wood door that goes without proper maintenance fails faster and looks worse every year. Know what you're committing to before you order.
Michigan winters are hard on wood
The freeze-thaw cycle in Detroit is particularly punishing on exterior wood. Water gets into the grain, freezes, expands, and opens small cracks. Once those cracks form without a fresh seal, the deterioration accelerates. Staying on schedule with sealant or stain is not optional maintenance. It is the thing that determines whether your door lasts 15 years or looks rough by year five.
Annual inspection
Each spring, check all surfaces for peeling, checking, or graying. Pay particular attention to the bottom section and the top horizontal rail, which take the most weather exposure. Catch small areas early and spot-treat rather than refinishing the whole door.
Staining or sealing every 2-3 years
Most wood doors need a full refinish every two to three years depending on exposure, species, and the quality of the original finish. Redwood can sometimes stretch to three. Cedar and hemlock tend to need attention closer to the two-year mark. We can handle this as part of our maintenance program.
Hardware and weatherstripping
Decorative hardware should be inspected for rust annually and treated or replaced as needed. Bottom weatherstripping takes the most abuse and typically needs replacement every three to five years. This keeps moisture out of the bottom rail, which is where wood doors most often fail when neglected.
Investment and pricing
Custom wood doors are a significant investment. The pricing below reflects full supply and installation, including hardware and finishing, but not site-specific costs like structural header work or electrical for a new opener.
Hemlock door
$3,500 - $4,500
Single-car door, standard height, flush or basic raised panel. Painted finish. The most accessible entry point for a custom wood door.
- Western hemlock construction
- Standard hardware included
- Professional installation
Cedar carriage house
$4,000 - $5,500
Single or double car, carriage house or raised panel style, cedar construction. Stain and seal finish. Decorative hardware. Most common for Detroit's historic neighborhoods.
- Western red cedar
- Decorative strap hardware
- Custom stain color match
Redwood premium
$5,000 - $6,000+
California redwood, double car, custom panel layout with optional window inserts. Premium iron or bronze hardware. The choice for Palmer Woods and Indian Village estates.
- Premium redwood construction
- Custom window inserts available
- Iron or bronze hardware options
Ready to discuss your project?
We provide detailed quotes after an on-site consultation. No obligation. See our guide to carriage house doors for Detroit homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about garage door services in Detroit. Can't find your answer? Call us at (313) 555-0313.
What Detroit Says About Us
"313 Garage Door came out same day when my spring broke. The technician was professional, explained everything clearly, and had me back up and running in under an hour. Excellent service!"
Michael Johnson
Detroit
"We needed a new garage door for our home. The team helped us choose the perfect style, installed it quickly, and cleaned up everything afterward. Couldn't be happier with the result!"
Sarah Williams
Livonia
"Emergency service at 2 AM when our door wouldn't close. They arrived within 30 minutes and fixed the issue. True professionals who care about their customers."
Robert Chen
Dearborn
"Had our garage door opener replaced with a smart opener. The installation was seamless and the new features are amazing. Great value for the money."
Jennifer Martinez
Warren
"Regular maintenance service keeps our door running smoothly. The technician is always thorough and catches small issues before they become big problems."
David Thompson
Sterling Heights
"Fast, friendly, and fair pricing. They repaired our commercial door at the warehouse quickly and got us back in business. Highly recommend!"
Lisa Anderson
Troy
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