Primed Louvered Doors Can Be Ordered or You can DIY: Maintenance Tips
Published: July 13, 2020
Factory Priming
If your custom louvered doors are going to be painted rather than stained, the first step is to have them primed. Estate Millwork has experienced staff, processes, and equipment to accomplish this quickly and inexpensively, and we recommend factory priming for this reason. Shipping the doors primed is also better for them than shipping them natural where they can be exposed to varying moisture and temperature conditions. These may cause the wood to absorb moisture and cup, bow, or warp. However, if our customers are equipped or inclined to do their own finishing, this information will still be helpful
Preparing for Finish
When Estate Millwork factory primes a door, which occurs immediately after finish sanding and hand sanding, we remove all dust and dirt with a high powered compressed air stream, especially in the areas between the louvers. The door is inspected and then placed in a proprietary jig that we have created that allows us to easily and correctly apply the primer to the hard to reach spaces between, behind and around the louvers. In the case of operable louvered doors, the louvers are placed in their fully open position to facilitate access.
Oil Based Primer
Estate Millwork uses a top quality, stain blocking sandable primer for the first coat. The primer is applied consistently to one face of the door and allowed to dry. After the primer has dried, the door is flipped in the jig and the process is repeated to the other face. Depending upon the species of wood in the louvers and door frame, the primer will slightly raise the grain and add roughness to the surface.
Scuff Sanding
Once the primer is dry on both louvered door faces, the door is either packed for shipment, or in the case that Estate Millwork is also painting the door, the entire door is scuff sanded. Since the grain is slightly raised by the absorption of the primer, we use a 220 grit sand paper to knock the surface back to smooth, as well as to create a good bond between the primer and the top coat. After scuff sanding, the door is again air blown to remove all dust and residue.
Double Priming
For extreme applications, Estate Millwork can offer a double priming service wherein the louver door is primed, scuff sanded and then reprimed prior to shipment or final paint coat. The double primer gives an extra layer of protection for exterior, marine, or high traffic applications, and, because the primer is sandable, allows for much easier maintenance in the field for whatever slight damage that may happen.
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Selecting the Perfect Custom Wood Door
A well-chosen wood door does more than fill an opening; it sets the tone for an entire room or entryway. Interior doors influence how spaces flow together, while exterior doors establish the first impression of your home. When selecting a custom door, consider three primary factors: the architectural style of your home, the functional requirements of the opening, and the wood species that best complements your existing millwork.
For traditional and colonial homes, raised-panel doors with six or eight panels create a classic look. Contemporary and transitional homes lean toward flat-panel or Shaker-style doors with clean lines. Louvered doors are ideal for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces where airflow matters. French doors with glass panels open up sightlines between rooms while maintaining the ability to close off spaces for privacy or climate control.
Wood species matters both aesthetically and structurally. Red Oak and White Oak are among the hardest domestic species, making them excellent choices for high-traffic exterior doors. Mahogany offers superior dimensional stability and a rich grain pattern prized for front entries. For interior doors that will be painted, Poplar provides a smooth, affordable substrate. Estate Millwork builds every door using mortise-and-tenon joinery with hardwood dowel pins, ensuring joints that will not loosen over a lifetime of daily use.
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