Solid Wood Front Double Door with Arched Top Glass Lite and Sidelights

Product Overview

A well-designed entrance needs to align with the architectural opening, surrounding façade, glazing strategy and hardware schedule. This solid wood front double door with arched top glass lite and sidelights is developed as a coordinated entrance assembly for custom residential, hospitality and selected commercial projects.

The configuration combines two solid wood door leaves with divided glass lites, a curved upper profile and full-height sidelights. This arrangement creates a wider entrance opening while maintaining a clear central axis and consistent vertical proportions. The glazing introduces natural light into the entrance area, while the timber frame provides a defined material boundary between the door system and the surrounding wall construction.

For architects, builders and procurement teams, the primary advantage is configuration flexibility. Door dimensions, sidelight proportions, wood species, glazing, finish, frame details and hardware preparation can be reviewed against the project requirements before production. This makes the system suitable for projects where a standard retail door cannot adequately address the opening, design intent or specification schedule.

The reference configuration uses a natural timber appearance with multi-lite glazing and a restrained architectural profile. The same specification approach can be adapted for traditional, transitional, Craftsman, Mediterranean, contemporary and other residential design directions.

Architectural Proportion and Entrance Composition

The entrance should be considered as part of the elevation rather than as an isolated door product.

The two primary leaves establish the centerline of the entrance. Matching sidelights extend the composition horizontally and create a stronger relationship with adjacent windows, façade modules and interior sightlines. The divided glass pattern introduces visual rhythm, while the arched upper section provides a controlled transition between the vertical door body and the overall opening height.

For architectural projects, the configuration can be developed around several design priorities:

• Balanced proportions for symmetrical façades

• Increased daylight at the entrance

• Coordinated glass division with adjacent windows

• Controlled timber-to-glass ratio

• Custom sidelight width and door leaf proportions

• Consistent finish across the complete entrance assembly

This approach gives the architect more control over how the entrance relates to the building envelope, rather than requiring the project to conform to a fixed catalogue format.

Timber Selection and Finish Specification

Timber selection should be based on the project's architectural material palette, visual requirements and exterior conditions.

Depending on the project, available hardwood options may include:

• White Oak

• Red Oak

• African Mahogany

• Black Walnut

• Alder

• Other approved wood species subject to technical review

Each species offers a different grain pattern, tone and finishing response. White Oak can support contemporary and transitional façades, while Red Oak provides a more pronounced grain structure. African Mahogany is often selected where a warmer, deeper timber character is required. Walnut can be considered for projects seeking a darker material expression.

The finish may be specified as natural, stained, painted or matched to a project reference. For architectural procurement, the selected wood species and finish should be confirmed before production so that the door leaves, sidelights and frame can be coordinated as one visual package.

Where a project includes timber flooring, wall paneling, cabinetry or exterior cladding, the finish specification can also be reviewed in relation to these materials.

Glazing Configuration

The glass specification has a direct effect on daylight, privacy, appearance and exterior performance.

Depending on project requirements, glazing may include:

• Clear glass

• Tempered glass

• Low-E glass

• Insulated glazing

• Textured glass

• Frosted or privacy glass

• Decorative or beveled glass

The divided-lite arrangement can also be adjusted to correspond with the architectural window schedule. A project may require a larger glass area for daylight, narrower openings for additional visual privacy, or a specific lite rhythm to maintain alignment with adjacent fenestration.

For exterior applications, final glass selection should be based on the project's location, orientation, safety requirements and applicable building regulations. Where thermal performance is part of the specification, insulated or Low-E glazing can be reviewed as part of the complete door configuration.

Arched Geometry and Custom Dimensions

The arched upper profile is a defining element of the entrance system and should be coordinated with the actual project opening.

Custom review can include:

• Overall unit width and height

• Individual door leaf dimensions

• Sidelight width and height

• Arch rise and geometry

• Frame dimensions

• Jamb depth

• Threshold configuration

• Door swing and handing

• Hardware locations

For non-standard openings, architects can provide an elevation or dimensioned drawing for technical review. The proposed arch geometry can then be evaluated in relation to the door proportions, glass division and surrounding construction before shop drawings are finalized.

Oversized door leaves or unusually wide glazed configurations should be reviewed for structural requirements, hardware capacity and installation conditions before manufacture.

Frame, Jamb and Hardware Coordination

The door leaves represent only one part of the entrance assembly. Frame, jamb, threshold and hardware details also need to be coordinated with the wall opening and installation method.

Project-specific preparation can include:

• Matching timber frame

• Custom jamb depth

• Exterior casing or trim

• Threshold dimensions

• Standard or concealed hinge preparation

• Lock and cylinder preparation

• Multi-point lock preparation

• Handle positioning

• Other nominated hardware requirements

Hardware information should be confirmed before production whenever possible. Lock preparation, hinge locations and handle positions can affect machining and therefore need to correspond with the approved hardware schedule.

For project procurement, early coordination reduces the risk of dimensional conflicts between the door assembly, hardware and site conditions.

Project Customization

The system can be configured around the project's functional and architectural requirements rather than limited to a single standard format.

Dimensions: Custom door width, height, leaf ratio and sidelight dimensions.

Timber: Multiple wood species selected according to appearance, finish compatibility and project requirements.

Glazing: Glass type, lite count, texture and performance characteristics can be coordinated with the building's glazing strategy.

Finish: Natural, stained or painted finishes can be specified according to the architectural finish schedule.

Hardware: Preparation can be coordinated with nominated hinges, locks, handles and multi-point systems.

Frame: Matching jambs, casing and threshold details can be incorporated where the project requires a complete entrance package.

CAD and Shop Drawing Workflow

1. Project Information

Provide the opening dimensions, elevation, wood preference, glazing requirements, finish specification and hardware schedule.

2. Technical Review

The configuration is reviewed for dimensional relationships, arch geometry, sidelights, frame requirements and hardware positions.

3. Shop Drawing

A project-specific drawing is prepared to define the key dimensions, component relationships and opening configuration.

4. Approval

The approved drawing becomes the production reference. Any subsequent design changes should be reviewed before implementation.

5. Material Confirmation

Wood species, finish, glass and hardware preparation are confirmed before manufacturing.

6. Production and Inspection

The approved configuration moves through fabrication, assembly and inspection according to the confirmed project specification.

This process is especially relevant to architects and builders who need the door system to correspond with a broader drawing and procurement package.

Quality and Pre-Shipment Inspection

For project orders, inspection should focus on the components most relevant to installation and visual consistency.

Timber: Species, surface condition, visible defects and finish consistency.

Door assembly: Dimensions, alignment, squareness and operating condition.

Glazing: Glass type, lite positioning and installation condition.

Hardware preparation: Hinge positions, lock preparation and handle alignment.

Frame: Dimensions, matching finish and component identification.

Packing: Protection for timber edges, finished surfaces, glass areas and frame components during international transportation.

This project-based inspection approach provides a practical reference for both factory release and site receiving.

Architect & Project FAQ

1. Can the door be manufactured to a custom opening size?

Yes. The overall unit, individual leaves and sidelights can be developed according to project dimensions.

2. Can the arched profile be customized?

The arch can be reviewed according to the approved elevation and opening geometry, subject to manufacturing feasibility.

3. Can the sidelights match the main door?

Yes. Wood species, finish, glass division and visual proportions can be coordinated across the complete assembly.

4. Can architects nominate the wood species?

Yes. Wood species can be selected according to the material schedule and project requirements.

5. Are Low-E or insulated glass options available?

They can be considered where appropriate to the project glazing specification and overall door configuration.

6. Can the divided-light pattern be changed?

Yes. The lite arrangement can be reviewed according to the desired architectural rhythm and selected glass configuration.

7. Can the door be supplied with a matching frame?

Yes. Matching timber frames and project-specific jamb configurations can be included.

8. Can the door be prepared for specified hardware?

Yes. Hardware preparation can be coordinated with the nominated hinges, locks, handles and multi-point systems.

9. Can concealed hinges be considered?

Yes, subject to compatibility with the selected hardware and final door configuration.

10. Can Waydoor review architectural drawings?

Yes. Dimensioned elevations, opening information and relevant schedules can be used during technical review.

11. Is a shop drawing provided before production?

A project-specific shop drawing can be prepared for review and approval before manufacturing.

12. Can oversized double doors be produced?

Oversized configurations can be considered after reviewing structural requirements, hardware capacity and installation conditions.

13. Can finish or material samples be reviewed?

Project-specific sample requirements can be discussed during the pre-production stage.

14. What information is required for quotation?

Opening dimensions, drawings, wood species, glazing, finish, hardware information and required quantity provide the most useful basis for project pricing.

15. Can the doors be supplied for overseas projects?

Yes. International project, distributor and wholesale orders can be supported with export packaging and delivery coordination.

Have an architectural opening, elevation or door schedule ready?

Send the project dimensions, drawings, preferred timber, glazing requirements, finish and hardware schedule to the Waydoor team. The configuration can then be reviewed for dimensional coordination, manufacturing requirements and quotation.