In today’s fast-paced, digital world, the desire to unplug and connect with the natural world around us has never been stronger. To meet this craving for connection, many homeowners are leaning into biophilic design. This design concept prioritizes the use of nature-inspired elements (organic materials, an abundance of light and airflow, earthy color palettes, breezy indoor-outdoor connections, etc.) to create a harmonious relationship between the occupants of a built environment and nature.

A wood front door is one of the most popular ways to bring the principles of biophilic design into the home. And for many of us… there is something undeniably magical about a wood front door—something that resonates deeply with the human spirit. As Will Sampson, the editorial director of Woodworking Network, so aptly described this feeling in his love letter to wood, “There’s an attraction and a romance with natural wood that is hard to explain. It’s not just marveling at the craftsmanship; it’s the draw of the wood itself.”

At Simpson Door Company, we see the magic of wood every day through the eyes of our customers. So, what is the attraction that draws homeowners to wood front doors? Keep reading to get Will’s take.

Wood front doors capture the unique beauty of the natural world

Unlike mass-manufactured steel or fiberglass doors with skins made in molds, every wood front door with its intricate grain patterns is truly one of a kind. This makes it possible to create an authentic connection to the natural world that manufactured materials simply cannot replicate.

According to Will, there isn’t one correct answer to the commonly asked question, “What is the best wood for a door?” Each wood type is uniquely beautiful, and the variety of choices at our fingertips makes it possible to create a personalized home entrance. In fact, Simpson Door Company works with over 100 different types of wood, each with its own distinctive character.

“Marveling at the chatoyance of quilted maple, or the intricate swirling grain of a burl, running your fingers down the rich chocolate surface of some perfect black walnut, or enjoying the dynamic surprise of stripes of ray lines as you open up a quartersawn white oak board for the first time. These are things that feed the magic of natural wood in my soul,” said Will. “It reminds us that working with wood is working with a unique and living material… no two pieces are identical.” We couldn’t agree with this sentiment more.

Taking things one step further… a wood front door provides more than a unique grain pattern that mimics the imperfect beauty found in nature. With virtually limitless options for customization, a wood front door can support other fundamental tenants of biophilic design to elevate the at-home experience. For example, a door design can be customized by size, shape, glass—even the door hardware—to create a more fluid transition between indoors and outdoors. Consider a wood front door on pivot hinges for a contemporary entrance while supporting improved daylight transfer and natural ventilation, both of which are critical qualities to help promote well-being at home.

Customize your wood front door from Simpson Door Company

Whether you're in the process of renovating your home or just dreaming of your next “someday” home improvement project, consider how the natural beauty of a wood front door can transform an ordinary doorway into a personalized home entrance. And with Simpson Door Company, any wood front door can be customized by size, shape, wood type or glass lite type to bring the benefits of biophilic design into your home. Discover your perfect door today.