In the world of architecture and design, certain elements echo the essence of eras gone by while resonating with modern aesthetics. One such element is the arch (or arched) door. At Solwest, we have the skills and machinery to craft these doors, combining age-old design principles with contemporary manufacturing techniques.

Timeless Appeal 

Arch doors have always been an emblem of architectural sophistication. Their distinct curve stands as a testament to a design language that bridges the gap between history and the contemporary. This shape creates entrances that are not just functional, but also visually exciting.

Why opt for an arch door?

• Historical Reverence: If you’re looking to capture the charm and nostalgia of an older home, an arch door can transport you back in time, imbuing your space with a sense of heritage.
• Modern Aesthetics: For those charting out designs for new builds, arch doors can offer a fresh, yet timeless look, blending seamlessly with modern architectural themes.
• Versatile Conversions: Already have a square door opening and thinking of a renovation? Arch doors can be the transformative element you’re seeking.

Finishes

At Solwest, we understand that every space has its unique character. This is why we offer a range of finish variations to match your vision:

• Ready for Painting: For those who want a door that aligns perfectly with their colour palette, we provide doors primed and ready for painting.
• Timber Veneer Finishes: If a more organic, natural look is what you’re after, our timber veneer finishes showcase the inherent beauty of wood grains, making each door unique.

Design Choices

Beyond the basic structure, the devil is in the details. Depending on your aesthetic preference, we offer:

• Flush Look: A sleek, uninterrupted surface that exudes modern simplicity.
• Infil and Rebated Designs: Add depth and dimension to your door. Choose from glass infills for a touch of transparency and light, or timber for a more solid, classic appearance.

Precision

To ensure that every door fits perfectly into your space, we lean on our 5-axis CNC machine. This technology aids our carpenters in tailoring each door to the exact size and specifications required, ensuring a seamless fit and impeccable finish.

We are more than just a manufacturer; we’re a team dedicated to bringing architectural visions to life. Whether you’re renovating an older home or constructing a new one with its own story to tell, we can build you a custom arch door for your space!  Contact us today for a quote by emailing sales@solwest.com.au

Dutch doors, with their distinct split design, have long been celebrated in Europe and North America, offering a unique blend of style and function. Locally, we like to call them a Stable Door Conversion and while they remain a rare architectural feature, there’s been a budding interest in integrating this charming design into contemporary homes.  

Understanding the Allure of Dutch Doors

At their core, Dutch doors are split horizontally in the middle, allowing the top and bottom halves to operate independently. This design not only invites homeowners the luxury to let in the fresh Australian breeze while keeping pets or small children secure indoors, but also finds practical applications in various settings such as canteens and server setups. These doors facilitate easy exchange of goods, paperwork, or meals without the need to fully open the door, ensuring a seamless and efficient operation, be it in a bustling cafe or a home-based eatery. Moreover, they are equipped with a window or mesh on the upper half, permitting a flood of natural light, thereby allowing a bright and airy atmosphere without compromising on security.

Their rarity in Australia adds to their appeal, offering homeowners an opportunity to incorporate a unique design element that stands out. Dutch doors, with their rich history and blend of function and form, can transform an ordinary entrance into a memorable focal point.

At Solwest, we are passionate about innovative designs and the art of craftsmanship. Based in Western Australia, we have been at the forefront of recognising and responding to the rising interest in Dutch doors. Our team takes immense pride in handcrafting timber doors that are not only functional but also tell a story.

While Dutch doors can exude traditional charm, their adaptability means they can be tailored to suit a range of architectural styles, from rustic to ultra-modern. Our dedicated craftsmen utilise the highest quality timber, ensuring each door we produce is both striking and enduring.

Why Settle for Ordinary?

As Australian homes evolve, the desire to infuse international inspirations becomes more pronounced. Dutch doors, though still a novelty here, provide an opportunity to achieve just that.

Whether you’re intrigued by the practicality of a Dutch door or drawn to its aesthetic appeal, Solwest is here to guide you. 

Let’s collaborate and craft a door that doesn’t just offer entry but also stands as a testament to style and innovation.

Hanging a door is an intricate task that requires precision, patience, and skill. This age-old process has been refined over the years to achieve the perfect fit, but with the advent of technology, this complex task has seen a dramatic transformation. Our CNC capabilities at Solwest have allowed us to pre-machine all the cutouts required for door installation, offering an unrivalled level of precision and a more streamlined process for carpenters and fitout companies.

Traditional Door Hanging Process

The traditional method of hanging a door, especially in a new frame, requires multiple steps:

Measurement: The process starts with taking accurate measurements of the door frame, taking into account any irregularities or out of square instances. This step is crucial as even slight inaccuracies can lead to problems later.

Door Selection and Preparation: The appropriate door is selected based on the measurements. Depending on the type of door and the flooring, the bottom or sides may need to be trimmed to ensure the door swings freely.

Scribing the Door: Scribing is the process of marking out the exact areas where adjustments need to be made to ensure a perfect fit. The door is set in the frame, and the areas needing adjustment are marked.

Marking and Cutting the Hinge Positions: The positions for the hinges are marked on both the door and the frame. The hinge positions are marked on the edge of the door, and a square is used to extend these marks across the width of the door.

Chiselling out the Hinge Recesses: Once marked, the hinge recesses are chiselled out on both the door and the frame. This requires a high level of precision to ensure the hinges fit perfectly.

Fitting the Hinges: After the hinge recesses are ready, the hinges are fitted into the recesses and screwed into place.

Mounting the Door: With the hinges fitted, the door is then mounted onto the frame.

Adding the Door Hardware: The final step involves fitting the door hardware, such as the handle or lock.

While this process allows for a bespoke fit, it is labour-intensive, time-consuming, and leaves room for error.

The Solwest Advantage

At Solwest, we’ve transformed this process with our door profiling service and CNC capabilities. We can now pre-machine all the cutouts required for door hardware, streamlining the installation process and enhancing the precision. The advantages include:

Precision: Our CNC machines are programmed to cut with an extraordinary level of accuracy, reducing potential errors from manual work.

Consistency: Every door we produce has the same high level of consistency, making this particularly beneficial for large commercial projects where uniformity is vital.

Customisation: Our CNC capabilities allow us to handle a wide range of hardware requirements, from pivot door preps to mortise locksets and custom flush pulls.

Time and Cost Efficiency: Pre-machining all the cutouts reduces the installation time on-site, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.

The New Look Process

With pre-machined doors, the installation process is significantly simplified:

Measurement: As with the traditional method, accurate measurements of the door frame are taken. However, these measurements are now used to program the CNC machine, ensuring precise cuts.

Door Delivery: The pre-machined door, complete with all hardware cutouts, is delivered to the site, ready for installation.

Installation: The door is positioned in the frame, and the pre-installed hinges are secured to the frame. Hardware can be easily installed into the pre-machined cutouts.

Cleanup: With all the prep work done off-site, there’s significantly less mess to deal with on-site.

Whether you’re a carpenter or a fit-out company, our pre-machined doors mean less time, less mess, and less stress, with a flawless finish every time.

At Solwest Doors, we are well aware that commercial door installation has come a long way. We’ve embraced innovative technologies like door profiling, fundamentally changing the installation process and creating numerous benefits for our commercial clients. We’ve eliminated the need for hours of on-site manual work, reducing mess and noise and making installations faster and more efficient.

Our Door Profiling Service Explained

Our door profiling service employs cutting-edge 5 axis CNC technology. This innovative process allows us to prepare doors for installation with high precision and consistent results. We create digital drawings for each door opening in a matter of seconds, feeding this data into our CNC machinery to create perfectly profiled doors. The result is an impressively swift installation process and doors that boast an even reveal and seamless connection.

Saving You Time and Boosting Efficiency

One of the most significant advantages of our door profiling service is the impressive time-saving capability it offers. Traditional installation methods involve carpenters manually measuring, cutting, and fitting each door – a time-consuming process. Our door profiling service eliminates this need by preparing each door to fit perfectly, right from the start. This efficiency allows our clients to streamline their installation schedules and improve overall project timelines.

Unparalleled Precision and Quality

Another significant advantage of our door profiling service is the unparalleled level of precision it ensures. Each door prepared using our CNC machinery benefits from reduced human error, guaranteeing a consistently high level of quality. The installations are smooth, with doors that fit perfectly into their frames every time – an accuracy standard that is challenging to achieve with manual methods.

Maintaining Cleaner Work Sites

We understand the challenges that traditional door installation can present, including the mess it can create on-site. Dust from cutting and drilling can become a major issue, potentially impacting other work happening concurrently. That’s why we’ve designed our door profiling service to tackle this challenge head-on. By preparing the doors off-site, we significantly reduce on-site mess, resulting in cleaner and safer work sites for our clients.

Comprehensive Hardware Preparation

Our door profiling service goes beyond simply preparing the doors themselves. We also take care of the hardware preparations, providing CNC machined cutouts and preparations for hinges, tubular latches, and mortice locks. We can install semi or fully morticed bottom door seals, provide rebated meeting stiles, and even fit power transfer lead covers. This comprehensive approach ensures everything arrives on-site ready for quick and easy installation, saving our clients even more time and effort.

Protecting Your Profit Margins

The time and efficiency savings our door profiling service provides can have a substantial positive impact on your business’s profitability. By reducing the time spent on each installation, more projects can be completed in the same timeframe. This increased productivity can enhance profitability while maintaining the high-quality results your clients expect.

At Solwest Doors, we are committed to making your commercial door installations as smooth and efficient as possible. Our door profiling service is designed to do just that, offering a host of benefits from time-saving and improved precision to cleaner work sites and enhanced profitability. By choosing our services, you’re not just getting a door supplier – you’re gaining a partner committed to helping your business succeed.

Step 1: Measure the door width

Take three measurements inside the door frame – at the top, middle and bottom. The widest measurement determines the width of the door. Ensure the door measurements are taken from the frame rebate.

• Use a tape measure to understand the width of the three areas of the door frame. Run the tape measure along the width of the frame from the left to the right and record these numbers.
• The standard AU widths of doors are: 520,620,720,820,920mm. These may vary as the current door frame or door may be custom.

Step 2: Measure the door height

Measure the inside of each vertical side of the frame. The longest length determines the height required. The allowance for the floor covering should be also considered when measuring.

• Use a tape measure to understand the height of the door frame. Run the tape from the top corner to the bottom corner on each side and record the number of the longest length.
• The standard AU height of doors is most commonly 2040mm, however depending on the design it could be 2340mm or a custom size.

Step 3: Measure the door thickness

If replacement doors are being considered and the same frames are being used,  then you will need to replicate the door thickness, so make sure to take this measurement also.

• Use a tape measure to understand the thickness of the existing door. Run the tape measure along the edge of the door and record the measurement of the thickness.
• You should also measure the rebate in the frame, where the door sits when closed.
• The most common door thicknesses are usually 35,40,45mm. Fire doors would be approximately 38 or 46mm.