Dutch Doors
A Dutch door — also called a half door — is split horizontally at the middle rail so the top half opens independently from the bottom. It functions as two small doors hung in a single frame. Open the top half for light and airflow while keeping the bottom closed to keep children, pets, or objects from passing through. Dutch doors bring charm and practicality to kitchens, nurseries, mudrooms, and entryways.
How Dutch Doors Are Built
Like a colonial door, a Dutch door has horizontal rails separating the glass section (upper) from the wood panel section (lower). The door is cut at one of these rails, creating two independently operating halves. The upper section typically contains glass lites; the lower section is solid wood panels. Both halves lock together with a flush bolt or quadrant latch when you want to use it as a single door.
Optional Shelf
A shelf — sometimes called a “pie shelf” — can be added to the top of the lower half. It’s useful for setting down packages, passing through items, or just as a decorative ledge. The shelf can be built with or without decorative wood corbels underneath for support and visual detail.
Wood Species
We build Dutch doors from solid lumber in your specified species — Douglas fir, clear pine, mahogany, white oak, red oak, and others. Panels are made from solid wood.
Glass Options
The upper half can be built with glass lites in any configuration — from a single pane to multiple divided lites. Insulated glass with Low-E for Title 24, or single-pane for historic work. True divided lite (TDL) or simulated divided lite (SDL).
Hardware
Dutch doors require specialized hardware: hinges for both halves, a flush bolt or quadrant latch to secure the two sections together, and separate locks for the lower half. We can supply period-correct hardware for restorations or modern hardware for contemporary homes.
Matching Existing Doors
For additions, remodels, and historic renovations, we can replicate existing Dutch door profiles, rail placement, glass layout, and shelf detail so the new door matches the original — even if the original manufacturer is no longer in business.
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