If windows are the soul of the house, it can be said that the front door is the personality. Once the quick glance at a house is over, we tend to focus on the front door - it is our first introduction to the home and those who live there. Whether flamboyant, dignified, eclectic, subtle or in-you-face, a good front door will make a lasting impression.

The current rage for metal doors and their thermal quality has turned sour the visage of some fine homes. Here are some examples of what has been and what can be again. While more care must be taken to ensure weather seal with a wood door, it can be effectively achieved. Add the intrinsic value of an original antique and you and your home can stand proudly to face the world!

This entrance is in excellent condition. It was protected by a closed in porch for the last 80 years so it has just the right quality of aged patina. The main body is 15d x 58w x 105h (roughly) but the trim on the inside expands that to 70 x 111.

The finish inside and out is painted wood grain that could be left as is if it suits your style. The sill is oak.

Although appearing to be newer, the piece dates from the 1880s.

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This Italianate entrance was recently removed from a house near Poole Ontario and dates from the 1860s. Note the strong lines and bold presence typical of the period.

The second shot shows the interior in an early grained finish. The molding is missing from the outside of the sidelights but can be replaced.

Roughly 70"w x 105"h and 8"d

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This double door set was the first thing you saw on a house outside of Strathroy but had been disused for quite some time now. The house dated to the late 1890s as can be seen by the confident Queen Anne styling.

The transom has gone missing and probably had a lovely piece of stained glass but we may never know.

Roughly 58w x 110h x 8d

Sold

Carved Italianate

I'm not sure what to say about this other than, this is the most exciting door I've seen in a long time. Take a close look, it speaks for itself. Romania.

Roughly 36 x 77 (door)

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Diamond Entrance

Here are most of the pieces for your entrance - ready to build around. Two sidelights, two lower panels a transom and the door.

This early set (c1855) came from Caledon, ON and features a Carpenter Lock on the inside. Given variations in the size of the jamb created for it, the overall size would be roughly 70" wide x 100" high.

Sold

Bronze Bank Doors

Oh, aren't these great? What an amazing entrance to a wine cellar these would make! The glass behind the grills opens on the other side.

37" x 83" - Sold

Elmira Gothic

It's hard to find a gothic door but even harder to find one with its jamb.

Trim to trim - 44 x 98

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Romanian Doorway

We really like this piece. The door itself has so much character but the fact that it has never been painted and comes in its jamb with original hardware makes this one stand out in a crowd. What a fabulous entry to your wine cellar.

Roughly 44 x 78 to the outside of the jamb.

Sold

Red Glass Queen Anne

There is something quintessentially Victorian about red flash glass (made by adding gold to the glass) and this door from Goderich meets the criteria .

35 3/4 x 81 3/4

$495

Port Franks Look alike

Okay, this was weird. A few days after removing the Port Franks door from it's house, this door came in. It's identical other than the swing and the fact that it's been stripped on the outside and the glass is different....

33 3/4 x 80 1/4 - Sold

London Queen Anne

A fine example in excellent shape - never had a deadbolt drilled. What's more, there are two - both swing in the same direction.

33 1/2 x 81 - $595 each

Glazed Door

Some doors have a country feel and others are decidedly urban. Imagine this door darkly painted with some bold coloured stained and leaded glass.

33 1/2 x 84 1/4 - $395

Woodstock Italianate

Wow! What a great door. This was the front door of a house outside of Woodstock, On. The rest of the house had been butchered but this and a few other doors had been spared the humiliation.

While the glass is damaged, the rest of the door is in excellent shape and comes with an Aesthetic movement, brass knob set.

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Oak Double Doors

When we got this lovely pair, they were painted a milk chocolate brown belying their quality. Now the exposed wood reveals the vigor and richness of an oak grain - a rare find in exterior doors!

Roughly 52 x 90 - Sold

London Oak

Heavy in style and body, this lovely oak door is an unusual find for us. A mixture of Arts & Crafts and late Queen Anne, this high waisted piece features a cut glass window and decorative brass hardware.

35 3/4 x 81 1/2

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London Green

One of two doors recently arrived - both from the same house and both in excellent condition. One swings to the left and one to the right - take your pick (or both if you must).

Pine 34 x 82 -Sold

Dentil Storm

One of two storm doors that have recently arrived. They open opposite directions and are slightly different in size but otherwise match.

33 1/2 x 81

33 3/4 x 81 3/4 - $295 ea

Brown Queen Anne

Stately at one time, this door has seen some better days but still has plenty of life left in it with some repairs.

33 x 81 1/2 - $295

Arched Double

Aren't these fun! Imagine inviting your friends in through these or accessing your your wine storage. Heavy carved pine from Romania.

43 x 83 - Sold

Carved Double

This pair has punch and yet still welcomes you with affection. Can you see yourself sweeping through these out to your garden?

46 3/4 x 78 1/2 Sold

Clinton Front Door

There were two of these from a double house but one sold right away. It will be used as a bar entrance and justly so...the bold details used here can withstand even the coarsest of patrons!

33 3/4 x 87 3/4

$495

Double Blue

A little worse for wear and definitely over the top, these doors would make a great shed entrance or art on you wall!

65 x 81 1/2

Sold

Bottle Glass

Unfortunately cut down, this door still makes its presence known. Haven't decided to like the glass or not...

33 3/4 x 78

$225

Gold & White Dentil

Not the most exciting but a fine door, nonetheless.

34 x 82

$375

Stripped Queen Anne

A pretty door ready to be repainted or varnished as you see fit.

33 3/4 x 82

Sold

Ash Panel Stripped

This door looks the same on both sides except one is stripped, the other painted.

33 3/4 x 79 1/4

Sold

Green Double

One big door, one smaller one for those awkward openings. Have you ever noticed the spelling for awkward is a little awkward?

Rougly 47 x 84 3/4

$750

Light Queen Anne

This door is interior thickness but would look really good as a storm door, shed door or office door!

33 1/4 x 81 3/4

$395

Blue Oval

I think I could recall every oval door we've had, they're that rare. This one is lovely.

33 3/4 x 80 1/2

Sold

Needlepoint Diamond

This is a fabulous door - and it's been stripped!

33 3/4 x 79 3/4

Sold

Green Lozenge

Powerful in style and heavy in structure, this door packs a wallop

36 x 82 3/4

Sold

Walnut Vestibule Double

From a fine Home in Woodstock, ON, these oversize doors will require some TLC but will look so fantastic in the end it will all be worth it.

55 1/2 x 106 1/2

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Walnut Double

These are the doors in front of the Walnut Vestibule Doors and have a completely different look to them. Again, oversize but not afraid to strut their stuff!

56 x 111

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Turquoise

Another great door - a big, meaty Queen Anne (do you think Queen Anne would like me saying 'meaty'?).

36 x 88

Sold

Red Queen Anne

Don't let this door fool you. There's a lovely chip carving in the lower panel that is obscured by the thick paint just waiting to be discovered.

36 x 81 3/4

Sold

Grained Italianate

There something iconic about this style of door and the simplicity shown here only emphasizes this fact.

33 1/4 x 80 3/4

Sold

Late Italianate

This door is bold and beautiful as well as big and heavy. What a great entrance to your business!

35 3/4 x 83 3/4

Sold

White Lozenge Queen Anne

This is my favourite door just now. I love the tracery, the long light and the lozenges.

34 x 83 1/2

Sold