Brownstone Door Restoration
This project involved the full restoration of a set of monumental 19th-century brownstone entry doors for a private residence in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Standing over twelve feet tall and nearly three inches thick, the doors had suffered decades of neglect, failed repairs, and significant material loss. Our scope included complete stripping, structural repair, and the reconstruction of damaged and missing ornamental elements. Failing exterior leaves were replaced with custom-fabricated solid walnut panels, and deteriorated components—including the astragals—were reproduced to match the original profiles. To balance historic authenticity with modern performance, we installed concealed weather-sealing systems, an automatic door bottom, new hardware, and integrated electric strikes for a contemporary entry system. Due to their size and weight, the doors were transported to our workshop, where all restoration work was performed. During the building’s gut renovation, we fabricated custom temporary doors to secure the entry. The final finish—traditional stain and hand-applied oil—restored the depth and character of the original wood while ensuring long-term durability. The completed doors retain their historic presence while functioning to modern standards. The completed restoration returned the doors to their original visual presence while significantly improving durability, weather performance, and compatibility with modern building systems.
