The word “rustic” means made in a plain, simple but attractive fashion That is exactly what rustic doors are – plain and simple. And yet they have a huge amount of character and are gaining popularity among homeowners looking for something a little different.
Of course, rustic doors won’t suit every type of house, but they look great on cabins, Tudor- and South-West-style homes, or any home where you want to create a look of warmth and timeless beauty.
What are Rustic Doors?
These doors have a unique style that is immediately recognizable. They celebrate all the natural characteristics of wood, including knots, wormholes, considerable variations in grain and color, gum pockets, in-grown bark and mineral stains. A huge part of their charm is that no two doors look the same. The defects are not at all uniform, and these random imperfections will differ from board to board, and thus door to door.
The masculine look of these doors is very reminiscent of original European architecture that was common prior to the voyages of Christopher Columbus.
A Choice of Wood
Rustic doors can be made of many types of wood. Cedar, for example, is a lightweight but strong wood that has been used for years to build homes, ships, and furniture. The elasticity of Alder makes it ideal for carving intricate details and it is second only to oak as the most commonly used wood. Oak offers great strength and hardness, and has beautiful, unique grain marks to add a touch of elegance to your door. Mahogany is characterized by its reddish-brown color. It was very popular in Victorian times for making furniture.
Rustic doors also have man-made accents, which set them apart from more conventional doors. Exposed hinges and latches are common, as are heavy-duty doorknobs and handles. Grilles, clavos (decorative nails) and working speakeasies are also often found on these intriguing doors.
What to Look Out For
When purchasing a door made in the rustic style, you should be careful to check that the imperfections are simply a natural part of the look of the door, and not actually a major defect in the wood.
Holes, for example, are common in rustic wood, and may even go right through the door, but they should be no bigger than ¼” in diameter. Small wormholes may also be present, but they are fine.
You should also check the knots. Open knots on the inside of the frame edge are acceptable provided the inside edge of the panel isn’t visible on the face of the door. Open knots on the outside edge of the door are unacceptable, as they might have jagged edges, which could snag on clothing or fingers.
Checking, or cracking on the surface is fine in rustic wood as this is part of its natural characteristic.
Nick’s Building has a large range of quality rustic doors in stock. We will also custom make doors to your specifications. We’ll even throw in knots, wormholes, mineral streaks and color variations for free.
