Doors are a great way to designate points of entry and exits, letting you organize your building into rooms. It is a way to secure your assets from intruders and can also be an extra element to bolster your exterior’s features, primarily when you talk about the front door. These functionalities, however, were not done overnight. As history will show us, it took significant trends before the most high-quality doorways we know now come to fruition.

What is particularly intriguing here is some of these so-called traditional door elements are still found in modern-day builds. To find out what they are, refer to the following:

Trend #1: Wooden materials

If you look at the earliest houses and structures, you know that large sheets of fabric or animal hide were hung vertically as the first entryways. They were simple and could help keep those staying inside warm. However, as civilizations developed, many communities became accustomed to woodworking, resulting in sturdier houses and wooden doors. Most of them were made of elm, oak, cypress, and cedar timber. Some of these materials are also used in rustic homes in present-day construction, especially for log cabins.

Once many homes were built in wood, some households were pointing out that the doors were susceptible to termites and harsh weather conditions. To address these problems, craftspeople during the 11th and 12 centuries used bronze for their doorways, and later on, steel and brass came into the picture. You can also find steel doors as one of the more preferred materials due to their durability and cost-effectiveness, especially among commercial establishments.

Trend #2: Door stiles and rails

While some communities were already discovering metal and more durable materials to replace wooden doors, a few houses in wetter climates didn’t utilize this method right away. Instead, they manufactured stiles and rails as part of their main architectural features for their wooden doors. They were mainly designed to prevent gradual warping, and a couple of homes would even use two rails to bolster their entryway’s stability.

Some residential builders still incorporate the stiles-and-rails methods for their doorways but would use other materials, like plastic and steel. For instance, you can see this in the blueprints for screen doors to accommodate the main panel’s seamless fit and prevent outside elements from going indoors. Because of its timeless application in basic door architecture, this trend is here to stay.

Trend #3: Doors with mechanisms

You may already know that some sophisticated buildings and custom homes have automatic mechanisms to open and close doors. But did you know that the Greeks in the 1st century also had their version of this? This account is detailed by heron of Alexandra, a scholar claiming that they had doors that used air routed through a closed chamber that would heat by using fire. It would have a sealed vessel that allowed the water’s combined weight to tug the door, letting it open. Take note that this impressive contraption came way before the invention of doorknobs, meaning it is a one-of-a-kind invention. Fortunately, doors nowadays use technology to open and close doors at will, a trend that you may want to consider.

Conclusion

Doors are important features of any building, and they are one of the most consistent with their upgrades throughout history. As the previously mentioned trends also illustrate, some of these features are still in use today, and you now have the opportunity to select from other materials and styles. Thus, consider thinking about what kind of doors you need for your space.

Are you looking for the best door replacements in London, Ontario for your home? Consider our range of options at McCallum Aluminum. We utilize industry-leading Gentek exterior doors, allowing you to enhance your building’s security and outer appeal. We can even provide you with a written guarantee and dependable warranties. Request a quote to improve your entryways!

Call direct @ 519-433-4223

3 Door Trends from History That Are Still Popular Today