Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jun 20, 2009 11:15pm | #1

   Fiberglass works really well.  Good stability, decent insulation, wide variety of styles--with a little looking around you can find doors without the hideous fake grain look that you would never see on a real wood door. 

2. 
   JohnWW | Jun 21, 2009 12:57am | #2

   Mahogany is the classic top of the line wood, weather resistant, stable, easily machined, and moderately weight. Clear white pine shares these advantages, though not as weather resistant, and is possibly cheaper. As long as the door is protected form direct sun and rain, and can dry out completely if it occasionally gets wet, rot resistance isn't that critical. Avoid poplar since it is very rot prone, save it for interior work.

   Try to use quarter sawn wood for the frames, the door will be much more stable.

   If you are planning on a clear finish, the choice of the finishing material is much more critical than the wood species.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998-2007

3. 
   troys | Jun 21, 2009 02:46am | #3

   Exposure to the weather is everything, If your door is not going to get much direct sun or rain (covered porch) You can use poplar if it is going to get rained on or a lot of sun quartersawn mahogany or white oak,Although I would hate to paint either of these.

   Good luck

   Troy

4. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Jun 21, 2009 03:00am | #4

   I think the wood of choice for painted doors was straight grained fir.  I've had a screen door made of this stuff for two years now, no problems yet.  Use a good oil-based primer( 2 coats) and then the paint of your choice.

5. 
   lwj2 | Jun 21, 2009 03:28am | #5

   If you can find it, cypress is very weather resistant.

   Much less expensive than teak or mahogany. Not as pretty, though.

   Leon