The Tradition & History of Antique Interior Doors

They just don't make them like they used to! That's the standard comment you hear when someone views the quality and detail of an antique interior door. Certainly you envision the ornate carvings and formal style of the Victorian era when you consider an antique interior door. But there's more to antique doors than this swirly, curly Victorian style.

Antique interior doors run the gamut from the straight and proper colonial style of the 17th Century to the sleek, contemporary looking Art Deco styles of the 1920's. There's certainly nothing swirly, curly about those antique doors!

In fact, another extremely popular style in antique interior doors is the Arts and Crafts or Craftsman styled doors. This look was popular in the early 20th Century. It was actually a rebellion of sorts against the oh-so ornate Victorian styles that had taken front and center stage in interior design. The Arts and Crafts period, which dates from 1900-1915 or so, was distinct for emphasis on the careful handcrafting of wood and other natural materials. The emphasis was more on the careful details in the construction rather than ornate embellishments of the design.

Joinery of the Arts and Crafts antique interior door became part of the door's design itself. The joinery is the method used to 'connect' the pieces of the door. Rather than nails or glue, a hand carved method was normally used such as dovetailing or what's known as finger jointing.

Antique interior doors are popular choices for homeowners with homes both old and new. They not only look to antique doors to add old world craftsmanship to their homes, but they also have a choice with reproduction antique doors to add traditional style with modern components.