Why Your Home’s First Impression Matters Most

Custom front double doors combine elegance, symmetry, and functionality to create a stunning entrance. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Benefits:

Improved Curb Appeal – Create a grand, welcoming entrance that sets your home apart.
Increased Natural Light – Double the glass area means more natural light in your entryway.
Better Accessibility – Wider openings make moving furniture and large items much easier.
Higher Resale Value – Premium entry doors significantly boost perceived home value.
Security Options – Modern double doors offer multipoint locking systems and solid construction.

Popular Materials:

Wood – African Mahogany or Knotty Alder for timeless beauty (requires maintenance).
Fiberglass – Low-maintenance with a wood-grain appearance and superior insulation.
Steel – Maximum security and durability with energy-efficient cores.

Standard Sizes: 60-80 inches width, up to 96 inches height, with custom options available.

Your front door is the first thing visitors see, setting the tone for your entire home. A well-designed double entry door is an architectural statement that reflects your style and improves your property’s value.

I’m Piotr Wilk, and for two decades, I’ve installed custom front double doors across the Chicagoland area, helping homeowners in Lake, Cook, and McHenry counties. This guide will walk you through every decision, from modern minimalism to rustic farmhouse charm.

The Foundation: Why Choose Double Front Entry Doors?

The appeal of custom front double doors is undeniable, creating a “wow” moment that suggests you’re entering a special home.

The grand entrance factor is significant. Replacing a single door with double doors creates a focal point that transforms your home’s exterior. The symmetry catches the eye and adds a sophistication a single door can’t match.

Practically, double doors increase natural light. By doubling the potential glass area, you can brighten a dark entryway. Many clients are amazed at how much more welcoming their foyer feels after installation, opening the home to the outdoors without sacrificing security.

Accessibility is another key advantage. A wider opening makes moving large items like furniture or appliances much easier. It also provides comfortable access for guests using wheelchairs or walkers.

The architectural balance of double doors creates an inviting atmosphere, making a statement about quality and attention to detail. For other styles with similar benefits, see our guide on What are French Doors?—they share some characteristics with double entry doors but serve different purposes.

Material Matters: Choosing the Best Substance for Your Doors

The material you choose for your custom front double doors affects their appearance, durability, and maintenance. There’s no single “best” material; the right choice depends on your priorities, home style, and maintenance willingness. Let’s break down the three main options: wood, fiberglass, and steel.

Feature	Wood Doors	Fiberglass Doors	Steel Doors
Durability	Good, but susceptible to elements	Excellent, resistant to warping/denting	Excellent, very strong
Maintenance	High (regular painting/staining)	Low (occasional cleaning)	Low (occasional cleaning, touch-ups for scratches)
Aesthetics	Timeless, natural beauty, rich grains	Mimics wood grain, versatile finishes	Sleek, modern, can be painted
Energy Efficiency	Moderate (depends on wood type & construction)	High (foam core insulation)	High (energy-efficient cores)
Cost	Highest	Mid-range	Lowest to Mid-range

Wood Doors

Real wood offers a classic, timeless beauty and natural warmth that no other material can replicate for custom front double doors. We work with premium hardwoods like African Mahogany, which has a smooth, refined grain for an upscale look, and Knotty Alder, which brings rustic charm with its distinctive knots. Wood can be stained to highlight its grain or painted to match your exterior. However, it requires commitment. In the Chicagoland climate, regular maintenance is essential to prevent warping and moisture damage. Our guide on How to Keep a Door from Warping offers helpful tips. With proper care, a wood door develops a beautiful patina and can last for decades.

Fiberglass Doors

For the look of wood without the high maintenance, fiberglass is a perfect match. Modern fiberglass doors convincingly replicate wood grain patterns, offering a rich appearance with only occasional cleaning. Fiberglass is exceptionally resilient, making it ideal for custom front double doors in the Midwest. These doors resist denting, warping, and rust, handling extreme temperatures with ease. Their foam core insulation provides superior energy efficiency, keeping your entryway comfortable and lowering energy bills. Fiberglass offers a great balance of aesthetics, durability, and low-maintenance practicality.

Steel Doors

When security is the top priority, steel is the answer. Built with 20-gauge steel, these doors offer exceptional strength and resistance to forced entry. Beyond strength, steel doors are practical: they won’t warp, rot, or crack. Their energy-efficient cores provide excellent insulation, reducing energy costs. While steel doesn’t mimic wood grain, it offers a clean, modern aesthetic that can be painted any color. For more on security, see our article on Exterior Security Doors. Steel doors are a smart, long-lasting choice combining security, energy efficiency, and low maintenance.

Designing Your Custom Front Double Doors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Designing custom front double doors is your chance to create a unique entrance that reflects your style.

Custom design means you’re not limited to showroom options. We collaborate on every detail—size, material, glass, and hardware—to ensure the final product is a true reflection of your home and lifestyle.

Sizing and Configuration

Proper sizing is the foundation of great custom front double doors. Standard sizes are typically 60-80 inches wide and up to 96 inches tall, but we can build doors from 48-72 inches wide and even taller for dramatic entrances or specific accessibility needs. We take precise measurements of your rough opening during our consultation to ensure a perfect fit. Consider adding sidelights (vertical glass panels) and transoms (horizontal glass panels above) to flood your entryway with natural light and add architectural interest.

Matching Architectural Styles

Your doors should complement your home’s architectural style. This guides many design decisions.

Modern: Clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and large glass expanses.
Farmhouse: The warmth of knotty alder or rustic wood with planked designs.
Craftsman: Distinctive panel designs and decorative glass.
Traditional: Ornate moldings, arched tops, and classic glass patterns.
Rustic: Heavy wood construction, iron hardware, and textured glass.

The panel design and molding are critical to the final look. We’ll help you choose options that improve your home’s architecture.

Glass and Glazing Options for your custom front double doors

The glass in your custom front double doors controls light, privacy, and energy efficiency.

Clear glass maximizes light and offers an unobstructed view.
For privacy, choose frosted, rain, or satin glass to diffuse light while obscuring the view.
Decorative glass with intricate patterns or beveled inserts can turn your entrance into artwork.

Energy efficiency is crucial. Low-E glass has a coating that reflects heat, keeping your home comfortable and reducing energy bills. For traditional styling, True Divided Lite (TDL) construction offers an authentic look with individual panes of glass. We’ll help you balance light, privacy, and efficiency. For more inspiration, see our article on French Windows.

Selecting Hardware for your custom front double doors

Hardware is the functional jewelry for your doors, providing security and style.

Handlesets: Combine a decorative exterior handle with an interior lever or knob.
Security: A quality deadbolt is essential. For superior protection, multipoint locking systems engage at several points along the frame.
Flush Bolts: The inactive door is secured with flush bolts that slide into the header and floor.
Hinges: Robust hinges are necessary to support the doors’ weight.

Finishes like bronze, black, nickel, and brass should coordinate with your home’s other exterior elements for a polished look. Quality hardware operates smoothly, feels substantial, and withstands weather. We’ll help you select the right hardware for your style and budget.

Security, Value, and the Installation Process

When you invest in custom front double doors, you’re making a decision that touches three crucial aspects of homeownership: protecting your family, enhancing your property’s value, and ensuring a professional installation that lasts. Let’s walk through what this means for your home.

Enhancing Home Security

You might wonder if double doors create a security weak point. It’s a fair question—after all, you’re dealing with two doors instead of one. The good news? When properly designed and installed, custom front double doors can be just as secure as a single door, sometimes even more so.

The foundation of security starts with solid core construction. Unlike hollow-core doors that can be kicked in with relative ease, solid core doors provide substantial resistance to forced entry. We pair these with high-quality frames that anchor securely into your home’s structure, creating a system that’s built to withstand serious pressure.

The locking hardware makes all the difference. While a standard deadbolt on the active door provides good security, we often recommend multipoint locking systems for superior protection. These systems engage at several points along the door frame simultaneously, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to pry the door open. It’s like having three or four locks working together as one.

For the inactive door—the one that typically stays closed—flush bolts are your secret weapon. These bolts slide into receivers at the top and bottom of the doorframe, essentially turning that door into a fixed panel when locked. Combined with a quality deadbolt on the active door, you’ve got a fortress-level entrance.

If your doors include glass panels, impact-resistant glass adds another security layer. This specialized glass is much harder to break than standard glass, deterring potential intruders. We also install tamper-proof hinges that prevent someone from simply removing the hinge pins from outside. Every detail matters when it comes to protecting your home.

For a deeper dive into securing your entryway, our guide on Exterior Security Doors offers additional insights.

Boosting Curb Appeal and Resale Value

Here’s something I’ve seen time and again over twenty years in this business: homeowners who install custom front double doors are consistently amazed by the change. These doors don’t just change your entryway—they redefine your entire home’s exterior presence.

The return on investment is impressive. Your front door is the focal point of your home’s facade, the first thing visitors and potential buyers notice. A beautifully crafted double entry creates an immediate impression of quality and attention to detail. It signals that this is a home that’s been cared for, a home with character and style.

When it comes time to sell, that first impression translates directly into perceived home value. Buyers form opinions within seconds of seeing a property. A grand, welcoming entrance with neat double doors tells them this home is special. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about creating an emotional connection that can lead to higher offers and faster sales.

Even if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon, there’s real value in coming home each day to an entrance that makes you smile. That’s the kind of daily return on investment that’s hard to quantify but impossible to ignore.

The Customization Process and Lead Times

Creating your perfect custom front double doors is a journey we take together, and it starts with a design consultation. This is where your vision comes to life. We’ll sit down and discuss everything—your home’s architectural style, your material preferences, the size and configuration you need, and all those details that make your doors uniquely yours. Whether you’re drawn to the warm grain of African Mahogany, the rustic charm of Knotty Alder, or the low-maintenance appeal of fiberglass, we’ll explore every option until we find the perfect match.

Once we’ve finalized your design, the real craftsmanship begins. Custom doors take time to create properly—there’s simply no rushing quality. Production lead times can vary, but for truly premium custom work, you might be looking at a 22-24 week timeframe. I know that sounds like a long wait, but think of it this way: skilled craftsmen are handcrafting doors specifically for your home, paying attention to every detail. That level of care and precision takes time.

When your doors finally arrive, professional installation becomes the critical final step. Even the most beautifully crafted doors won’t perform properly if they’re not installed correctly. Our team ensures every door operates smoothly, seals tightly for energy efficiency, and provides the security your family deserves. The difference between a mediocre installation and a flawless one is the difference between a door that lasts five years and one that lasts fifty.

Choosing the right contractor for this installation is crucial. Our article Doorway to Success: Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Custom Entry Door can help you understand what to look for. For additional information on exterior door options and considerations, you might find this Exterior Door eGuide helpful as you plan your project.

Frequently Asked Questions about Custom Double Doors

We’ve installed countless custom front double doors over the years, and homeowners always have great questions. Here are the answers to the most common ones we hear during consultations.

Are double front doors less secure than single doors?

This is probably the question we hear most often, and the answer might surprise you: No, custom front double doors are not less secure than single doors when they’re properly designed and installed. In fact, they can be just as secure—sometimes even more so.

Here’s how we make that happen. The active door (the one you actually use every day) gets a high-quality lockset with either a deadbolt or, better yet, a multipoint locking system. These multipoint systems are fantastic because they lock the door into the frame at several points along its height, making it incredibly difficult to force open.

The inactive door—the one that stays closed most of the time—is secured with flush bolts. These are recessed bolts installed at the top and bottom of the door that slide into the frame above and the threshold below. When engaged, they essentially turn that inactive door into a fixed wall panel. It’s not going anywhere.

Add in solid core construction, high-quality frames, and professional installation, and you’ve got a front entrance that’s as secure as any single door—maybe even more so because of those advanced locking options.

What is the difference between a pre-hung and a slab double door?

The main difference is how much work has already been done for you before the door arrives at your home.

Pre-hung double doors come as a complete, ready-to-install unit. The two door panels are already mounted in their frame with hinges attached. Everything is squared up and ready to go. You’re essentially getting a finished product that just needs to be positioned in your rough opening and secured. This makes installation much smoother and more precise, which is why we typically recommend pre-hung units for most homeowners.

Slab double doors, on the other hand, are just the door panels themselves—no frame, no hinges, nothing else. These are usually chosen when you’re planning to reuse an existing frame or have a custom frame built on-site. Installing slab doors requires more carpentry work because the frame needs to be constructed or adapted, and then the doors must be carefully fitted, aligned, and hinged within it. It’s a more labor-intensive process.

How do I maintain my new custom wood double doors?

If you’ve invested in beautiful wood custom front double doors, a little regular maintenance will keep them looking stunning for decades. It’s not complicated, but consistency matters.

Start with regular cleaning—just mild soap and water a few times a year, followed by thorough drying. Avoid harsh chemicals or pressure washers, which can damage the finish and force water into the wood grain.

Inspect your finish regularly, especially after harsh weather. Look for any signs of cracking, peeling, fading, or wear. Catching these issues early means you can touch them up before they become bigger problems.

Refinishing will be necessary every few years, depending on your specific situation. How often depends on several factors: the wood type, the quality of the original finish, and especially your climate. Here in Chicagoland, with our temperature swings and weather extremes, wood doors exposed to direct sun or rain will need refinishing more often than those under a generous overhang.

Speaking of overhangs, protecting from the elements is crucial. We recommend having an overhang that covers at least 50% of your door’s height. This shields the wood from direct rain and harsh UV rays, which are the two biggest enemies of exterior wood doors. For more detailed tips on protecting your wood doors from warping and weather damage, check out our guide on How to Keep a Door from Warping.

Don’t forget about the hardware and seals. A few times a year, lubricate your hinges and test all locking mechanisms to ensure they’re working smoothly. If your doors have glass panels, inspect the caulk around them annually and reapply clear silicone if needed to prevent moisture from sneaking in.

With these simple maintenance habits, your wood doors will develop a beautiful patina over time while continuing to protect and beautify your home.

Create Your Grand Entrance

Your custom front double doors represent far more than just an entryway—they’re a reflection of who you are and what you value in your home. They’re the statement piece that greets every visitor, the architectural feature that catches the eye from the street, and the investment that pays dividends in both beauty and function for decades to come.

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked through the journey of creating your perfect entrance, from selecting the right materials to understanding security features, from choosing stunning glass options to coordinating hardware finishes. Every decision you make contributes to a final result that’s uniquely yours.

The beauty of working with us at Rooster Windows and Doors is that you’re never navigating these choices alone. We bring two decades of experience installing custom doors throughout the Chicagoland area, and we understand how to translate your vision into reality. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless warmth of African Mahogany, the low-maintenance beauty of fiberglass, or the robust security of steel, we’ll guide you through every step of the customization process.

Yes, creating truly custom doors takes time—sometimes 22 to 24 weeks for production—but that’s because we refuse to compromise on quality. Your entrance is too important for shortcuts. When those doors are finally installed by our expert team, you’ll have a masterpiece that improves your home’s curb appeal, boosts its resale value, and makes every arrival feel special.

Ready to transform your home’s entrance into something extraordinary? Let’s design your dream double doors together. Explore our Custom Entry Door Installation services and take the first step toward creating a grand entrance that you’ll be proud of for years to come.