Vine Maple Door

by Timothy Atwood

stained glass and fine hardwoods

Vine Maple Door view 3 from outside at night, backlit by entry hall light

Inspired by changing views of marsh and sky seen through the vine maples of my Canadian West Coast island home.

This door shows different aspects as the light shifts from dawn to night and as seen from within or without. Incorporating the image into a fully functional door creates art which continuously inspires the whole of life instead of being separate from it.

Vine Maple Door view 2 from outside by daylight

Glass panels are held against the cores in grooves rabbeted into the maple branch sections. Maple branches are attached to the plywood with brass thread inserts allowing them to be removed for repairs to the glass. The double glass panels improve the insulating characteristics of the door while also allowing the design possibilities of different glass and glazing techniques inside and out.

Vine Maple Door view 1 from inside at sunrise Vine Maple Door Contruction Detail construction detail

 

Vine Maple Door

  • Leaded glass, koa wood, second-growth teak, maple, antique brass detailing.
  • machined steel internal structural components.
  • 36" x 84"
  • Sold
  • Similar commission:
    $9000 approx.

Koa rails and stiles are tongue-and-grooved for positive registration then secured with multiple 3/8"x 6" steel bolts through the stiles into steel pins set into the rails. The resulting joints are exceptionally strong, yet they may be adjusted for wood movement or taken completely apart for repairs to the glass or other door sections.

The hardwood panel sections are attached to a backing of 1/4" marine-grade plywood. The two complete front and back panels are then sandwiched together and float in grooves in the frame. All hardwood pieces are shiplapped to allow for wood expansion and contraction without exposing the plywood cores.

The mortise lock and handle set with short cylinders provides a full security lock and deadbolt without the usual excessive lock hardware interfering with the door's visual design. The hand-turned koa wood knobs are supported at the frame by sintered bronze bushings for strength and smooth, rattle-free operation.