Finished custom double doors in a historic Dana Point home

Dana Point · Custom doors · Historic restoration

Custom built.
Made for the original architecture.

A custom double-door project built from raw material through final installation, including major demolition, opening reconstruction, traditional detailing, historic hardware, and exterior restoration.

See how it came together

Project overview

More than a door replacement.

The new double doors were custom fabricated to fit the character of the existing historic home. Installation required opening the original wall, reconstructing the opening, integrating the new frame, restoring the surrounding wall, and preserving the architectural character of the building.

Project type Custom double doors
Scope Fabrication through installation
Location Dana Point
Built by MSK Construction

Existing opening and demolition

Opening the wall revealed the real scope of the work.

The original stucco, lath, framing, and wall assembly had to be carefully opened and removed before the new double-door system could be installed.

Historic wall opened during demolition for custom double doors — Demolition exposed the original framing, lath, stucco, and wall construction.

Custom fabrication

The doors were built for the opening — not selected from a catalog.

The door pair, frame, divided-light layout, joinery, and hardware locations were built and fitted in the shop before the assembly ever reached the jobsite.

Custom double doors being fabricated in the shop — The complete double-door assembly was fabricated and fitted in the shop.

Custom wood joinery detail on divided-light door — Close joinery and glazing details were built to suit the architectural style.

Historic hardware installed on custom wood door — Character hardware reinforces the connection to the original home.

Opening preparation and installation

The new work had to fit the old building.

Once demolition was complete, the opening was prepared and the custom frame was dry-fit, leveled, secured, waterproofed, and integrated into the existing wall construction.

Custom double-door frame dry-fit into historic wall opening — The custom frame was dry-fit and checked before final installation.

Custom double doors installed in prepared wall opening — The door pair was set while the surrounding wall remained open for reconstruction.

Architecture and finish

A new opening that looks like it belongs there.

From inside, the doors frame the Dana Point harbor view. Outside, the restored wall, lighting, trim, and surrounding Spanish-style architecture allow the new work to feel original to the home.

View through custom double doors toward Dana Point Harbor — The new opening creates a strong connection between the interior and harbor view.

Interior finish work around custom double doors — Interior restoration completed the transition between the new doors and existing room.

Finished custom double doors on historic Dana Point terrace — The finished doors integrate naturally into the historic Spanish-style elevation.

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