Ask the BuilderAsk the Builder
Ask the Builder's on:

Subscribe to askthebuilder's videos

Air Conditioning
Asphalt - Blacktop
Brick
Building Tips
Cabinets
Caulk
Ceilings
Ceramic Tile
Checklists
Chimneys
Concrete
Concrete Defects
Concrete Installation
Condensation
Countertops
Deck Construction
Deck Maintenance
Design
DIY
Doors
Drainage
Drywall - Plaster
DVDs
EBooks - EDocs
Electrical
Energy Savings
Engineered Wood
Fences
Fireplaces
Flooring
Foundation
Garage Doors
Glue
Hardware
Heating Design
Home Builders
Home Depot Stories
House Plans
Hurricanes
Insects
Inspections
Insulation
Interior Walls
Kitchen
Lighting
Lots
Miscellaneous
Mold
New Construction
Newsletters
Online Courses
Outdoor Projects
Painting - Staining
Patio
Payments
Plumbing Design
Plumbing Supplies
Projects
Radiant Barrier
Remodeling
Retaining Walls
Roofing
Rough Lumber
Screened Porches
Sheds
Siding
Specialty Accessories
Stone
Storage
Structural
Stucco - EIFS
Tools
Trim Lumber
Vapor Barrier
Ventilation
Videos
Walk Throughs
Wallpaper
Windows
Glossary






Entry Door Manufacturers & Care Tips

By Tim Carter
©1993-2008 Tim Carter
Summary: The entry door manufacturers that follow make steel entry doors, wood entry doors and fiberglass entry doors. There are over 100 entry door manufacturers, and plenty of selection. Read the care tips for your entry doors to keep them beautiful and functional longer.

Related Articles: entry door variety, entry doors, installation tips

Manufacturers of Steel, Fiberglass, Composite & Wood Entry Doors

The following is just a partial listing of entry door manufacturers. There are well over 100 that I could have listed! If a door company you are considering is not on the following list do not be discouraged.

  • Atrium Door & Window Company

  • JELD-WEN Windows & Doors

  • Eagle Window & Door, Inc.

  • Madawaska Doors, Inc.

  • Marvin Windows and Doors

  • Peachtree Doors and Windows

  • Pease Entry Systems

  • Pella Corporation

  • Taylor Building Products/Perma-Door

  • Simpson Door Company

  • The Stanley Works/Door Products Group

  • Therma-Tru Doors

  • Weather Shield Windows & Doors

  • Woodstone Architectural Windows & Doors

Door Care Tips/Literature

The newer doors often have very specific care instructions. There is not a catch-all program that will work for all doors. Because these doors represent a major investment in most cases, take the time to read the care instructions that come with the door.

This is very important with respect to finishing the doors. Some of the newer doors, such as the fiberglass doors, require very specific stains to achieve the best results. These stains are almost always available from the door manufacturer. If your contractor looks puzzled when you bring this to his/her attention, continue to probe.

The care of the newer steel doors that have vinyl finishes is important. The method of cleaning the door is important, as you might harm the vinyl if not careful. Once again, the doors come with specific care instructions, be sure to save this literature and read it.

After deciding upon which door you will choose, ask the supplier for specific care and installation instructions at that time. Read these things before talking to contractors. When interviewing contractors, ask questions to see how familiar they are with that particular door. See if they intend to do some (all) of the things that are required by the manufacturer. If you take the time to do this simple thing, I know you will rapidly find out who not to hire for your door job. I wish you good luck on your entry door project!

 






Comments

Sharon
04 Feb 2008, 16:17
We purchased a Southern Millwork Designer Classics fiberglass door six years ago. We are very pleased with it, however the sealer on the bottom portion which gets most of the summer sun has started peel. We did not receive care instructions with our door and cannot find them on line. Can you give me any tips on what to use to reseal our door?
AsktheBuilder
04 Feb 2008, 16:19
Sharon,
I would visit a Therma-Tru distributor and see if they have a restoration kit.
Julie
10 Apr 2008, 16:13
I also purchased a Southern Millwork Masterpiece Collection door about 5 years ago and the seal on the bottom of the door is torn. Where can I purchase a new one and am I able to install it without taking the door off?
AsktheBuilder
13 Apr 2008, 09:06
Julie,
Just do a search on Google. The door must come off the hinges.
Gordie
01 May 2008, 20:32
Do you know anything about FIBERTEC Window and Door Mfg. out of Canada? Thanks,
Gordie
John
05 May 2008, 12:01
I purchased a Southern Millwork Masterpiece door about 4 years ago. It has the sidelight windows on right and left.

I am experiencing the same as the others, but also the vinyl trim moldings around exterior windows are cracking quite wide. Any Idea what I should do? The cost to take the door out and reframe is too much!

It is in the sun, but for 2,000 dollars I would think it should not do this.

Home Depot told me to contact Southern Millworks Company in TX and no one answers. There is another Southern Millwork in OK, but that is a different company.
Patti
14 May 2008, 16:50
We have a Simpson single French Door with sidelights.
We purchaed a retractable screen 2-3 years ago and now hoping to get a custom wood screen door in its place. Due to the sidelights there is not a specific door jam for hinging. Two wooden strips on either side of the french door. Is it possible to have a door made and hinged in this space? If so what should I look for.
Thank you.
Bob
16 Jun 2008, 18:55
I also have a Southern Millworks Fiberglass entry door. The finish was destroyed by the u v rays of the sun in 2 years.I could not locate the company as well, Home depot did'nt carrie them anymore and was no help.
Anyway..You will need to clean up the door steel wool works the best,start with 0 then finish up with a 0000 to get it nice and smooth.If you use sandpaper be CAREFUL,use a fine paper if you sand too hard you will take down the fiberglass grain in the door and have flat spots through out the door.When door is free of all loose finish wipe clean with a lint free rag and mineral sprits. NOW you need to get some GEL stain, get the nearest match to your door color light oak,cherry etc.with a cloth or brush put the gel stain on the door,let set a couple mins.then wipe excess off.DO NOT APPLY THE GEL STAIN IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.Follow directions on can as to 2nd coat. Finish up with a good polyurethane 2-3 coats to protect the finish from the suns U V rays.. which is what caused the problem in the first place.It sounds like none of us were given these directions on how to care for our VERY EXSPENSIVE doors. Maybe thats one reason we ca'nt find southern millworks doors!! Hope this was helpful and excuse my spelling if any errors.
paul
09 Jul 2008, 23:24
I have a Stanley exterior, metal door
with a window that has a plastic fram
which has warped out of shape and I have been trying to find a replacement
fram. Can you help?
thanks

     View all comments
*Name:
Email:
Notify me about new comments on this page
Hide my email
*Text:
Security Image:

Visual CAPTCHA


 







Ask the Builder Comment Help

Helpful Comment Tips: If you need help with a problem, please try these things now before you type in a comment. You could discover your answer in just minutes.
  • Read ALL Comments Before Submitting One: If there are lots of comments that are already part of this column, there is a very good chance your question has already been answered by me or someone else.
  • Read Similar-Titled Columns First: The column above is almost always part of a two-or-three-part series. The answer to a question you may have is probably in a related column or in comments that are part of that column.
  • Read Columns in a Category: Take the time to read many columns in a category. The amount of information you will discover will amaze you.
  • SHARE a Story: Please share any tips or amusing tales of glory! Tell others what has worked for you. Maybe you have a disaster you want to discuss. Let's collaborate so we all learn together.
Don't show this alert again.