Real vs. Engineered

For years, door manufacturers have been touting dimensionally stable, engineered wood as a better way to make a door. While engineered is certainly cost effective and uses less of a natural resource, you still can’t beat a wood door made the old-fashioned way, says custom door maker Doug Christie. “Wood equilibrates to its environment.”

Beyond choosing quality lumber and construction methods that will remain stable when subjected to atmospheric changes, it’s the adhesives and finishes that must stand up to the conditions in each environment, he says. That’s true whether conditions are harsh wet weather outdoors or dry heat and air conditioning indoors.

Every surface must be painted or varnished to retard moisture vapor. Keeping moisture out of the wood helps reduce movement within the door. “The temperature is not as critical as the humidity,” Christie explains.

That said, many high-quality wood doors are built using some engineered parts. In the example shown at left, from Nick’s Building Supply, stiles and rails are strengthened with solid wood engineered together. The panels are faced with solid wood over a thin, engineered core, for extra stability.