If you’re shopping for a new door, Krosswood doors might have caught your eye with their handcrafted design and natural wood grain. Whether it’s the rustic appeal of the Knotty Alder wood or the allure of customizable options, these doors have a distinct appeal.
However, while their aesthetics may charm you, a deeper look into the product and customer reviews suggests a more cautious approach before committing to a purchase.
Why People Choose Krosswood Doors?
At first glance, Krosswood doors are absolutely beautiful.
Their doors, particularly the Knotty Alder 6 Lite Prehung Exterior Door, feature a stunning natural wood grain with visible knots that add character.
For those who admire the rustic, handcrafted appeal, these doors can be a perfect match for homes with a farmhouse or craftsman architectural style.
Moreover, they allow customization in terms of stain, size, and layout, which is a big plus for those wanting a specific look or fit.
The craftsmanship draws inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement, embracing simple, yet thoughtfully made architecture.
With tempered glass panels, energy-efficient features like low-E glass, and solid Knotty Alder wood construction, the doors seem built to last.
Pros And Cons of Krosswood Doors
Pros:
- Rustic, Beautiful Aesthetic: If you love the look of natural wood with knots and grains, Krosswood doors offer a unique, organic beauty. These are not cookie-cutter doors; they have personality and can transform the curb appeal of a home.
- Customizability: Krosswood doors are highly customizable, with options for size, layout, and stain. This means you can tweak the door to your home’s exact needs.
- Solid Construction Features: The doors come with sturdy construction, featuring solid Knotty Alder wood jambs and engineered stiles and rails for durability. This adds an extra layer of quality, ensuring the doors won’t warp easily over time.
- Energy Efficiency: Insulated, tempered glass with low-E coating offers solid energy efficiency. It helps prevent drafts and ensures that the door performs well in various weather conditions.
- Natural Light: The clear glass panels in some models, like the Knotty Alder 6 Lite door, allow for a soft diffusion of natural light, brightening up the entryway of your home without sacrificing privacy.
Cons:
- Inconsistent Craftsmanship: A significant issue with Krosswood doors is the inconsistent quality. Many customers have complained about visible issues such as holes in the wood, protruding staples, and poorly executed finishes. For the price, one would expect more attention to detail.
- Weather Resistance Issues: Some reviewers noted that their doors did not hold up well in harsher climates. The finish bubbled, peeled, or allowed frost to come through in colder regions. If you live in an area with extreme weather, this could be a deal-breaker.
- Complicated Installation: Several customers expressed frustration with the installation process, noting that prehung doors didn’t align properly or required significant adjustments. If you’re not skilled with carpentry, you may find it difficult to install the door yourself.
- Warranty Conditions: It’s important to note that the doors require adequate overhang protection to maintain warranty coverage. This means you’ll need to ensure proper coverage from rain or harsh sunlight, which could limit where and how you install the door.
- Not as Sturdy as Expected: Despite being marketed as strong and durable, some users reported that the doors weren’t as solid as advertised. One customer even mentioned that they could see daylight through one of the wood knots—a serious issue for an exterior door.
Maintenance Tips For Krosswood Doors
Like any wooden door, Krosswood doors require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. If you do decide to purchase one, here are some tips to help you protect your investment:
- Regular Staining and Sealing: Given that these doors are made from solid wood, it’s crucial to stain and seal them properly, especially if you live in a region with extreme weather. This will help to maintain their beauty and prevent warping or cracking over time.
- Check for Drafts: The weatherstripping and threshold that come with the door should be inspected regularly to ensure there are no drafts. If you notice a problem, you can replace the weatherstripping or adjust the threshold to keep your home energy-efficient.
- Protect from Moisture: Make sure you have sufficient overhang above the door to shield it from excessive rain or snow. Too much moisture can damage the finish or cause the door to swell, especially in climates with high humidity.
- Clean the Glass Panels Carefully: Krosswood doors often come with glass panels, and customers have reported that the plastic covering over the glass can be tricky to remove. Take your time during installation to ensure the glass is clean and that no stains are left behind.
- Reinforce Weak Spots: If you notice any knots that appear to go all the way through the wood or other weak spots, it’s wise to fill those areas with wood filler and reseal the surface to prevent further damage.
Comparing Krosswood Doors With Other Brands
When shopping for a front door, Krosswood isn’t the only option. How does it stack up against other popular brands?
- Feather River Doors
Feather River Doors are popular for their fiberglass construction, which offers exceptional durability and resistance to the elements.
Unlike Krosswood’s solid Knotty Alder doors, Feather River doors won’t warp, crack, or require as much maintenance, especially in harsh weather conditions.
They also come in a variety of wood-grain finishes that mimic the look of real wood, providing a low-maintenance alternative to natural wood doors.
The big advantage of Feather River is its energy efficiency and weather resistance. These doors are built to withstand moisture, extreme temperatures, and heavy use, making them ideal for homes in humid or coastal areas.
Krosswood, on the other hand, requires more upkeep to preserve its beauty and functionality, especially in regions with more unpredictable weather. However, if you’re after the authentic look and feel of real wood, Krosswood may still hold the edge in terms of aesthetics.
- Simpson Doors
Simpson Doors is another brand that specializes in wood doors, and in many ways, it’s a direct competitor to Krosswood.
Simpson offers a wide variety of wood options, including Douglas Fir, Mahogany, and Western Hemlock, which provide more durability compared to Knotty Alder.
Simpson’s quality control tends to be more consistent, meaning fewer issues with visible knots, holes, or other defects that customers often report with Krosswood.
What sets Simpson apart is its reputation for higher craftsmanship and its commitment to premium quality. Simpson doors are often pricier, but they tend to have fewer complaints about the types of issues Krosswood faces, such as knots going all the way through the wood or poor finishing work.
Both brands excel in customizable options, but Simpson might be a better choice if you’re looking for a more refined finish with fewer potential flaws.
- JELD-WEN Doors
JELD-WEN offers a range of doors made from wood, fiberglass, and steel, giving customers plenty of options depending on their needs.
Like Feather River, JELD-WEN’s fiberglass and steel models offer superior durability compared to Krosswood’s wooden doors, especially in terms of resistance to moisture and temperature changes.
Their doors are known for being low-maintenance and long-lasting, making them a practical choice for homeowners looking for reliable performance.
In terms of aesthetics, JELD-WEN’s wood doors can rival Krosswood’s offerings, though they may not have the same distinct rustic charm. However, when it comes to durability and ease of installation, JELD-WEN has an advantage.
Customers often note that JELD-WEN’s prehung doors are easier to install compared to Krosswood, which has been criticized for issues with its frame and hardware alignment. If ease of installation and longevity are priorities for you, JELD-WEN might be the more hassle-free option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Krosswood doors are made from solid Knotty Alder wood, known for its natural grain and distinct knots that give each door a unique look.
Krosswood Doors is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they focus on producing custom wood doors that blend rustic charm with modern durability.
Mahogany is considered one of the most durable woods for front doors due to its strength, resistance to moisture, and longevity. While Knotty Alder, used by Krosswood, has aesthetic appeal, it may not be as durable as harder woods like mahogany or oak.
Exterior doors are commonly made from hardwoods like oak, mahogany, and maple due to their durability and resistance to the elements. Krosswood uses Knotty Alder, a softer wood that offers a rustic look but requires more maintenance in harsh climates.
Conclusion: Is a Krosswood Door Right for You?
Krosswood doors are undeniably beautiful, with an aesthetic that many homeowners crave, especially for traditional or craftsman-style homes. However, the inconsistencies in craftsmanship and the issues reported by numerous customers raise valid concerns about their overall quality.
If you’re set on a Krosswood door, I highly recommend inspecting it in person before purchasing. The beauty of the natural wood might win you over, but be prepared for potential issues with the finish or installation.
Additionally, consider your local climate, as these doors don’t seem to hold up well in extreme conditions.
For those looking for a rustic, natural wood door, Krosswood could be an option, but it’s worth weighing the pros and cons carefully. Other brands like Therma-Tru or JELD-WEN might offer more durability and less maintenance in the long run.
At the end of the day, a front door is an investment in your home’s security and curb appeal, so it’s important to make the right choice for your specific needs.