The 10-Week Door: Why We Refused to Install “Good Enough”

In the remodeling business, speed is often the goal. But at Prima Construction, perfection is the goal. A recent project in St. Paul reminded us exactly why we hold that line.

The Vision: A Childhood Dream

For this homeowner, a “Dutch Door” wasn’t just a functional choice; it was a childhood dream. She had always wanted a kitchen door where she could swing the top open to let in the breeze while keeping the bottom closed to keep pets safe.

In a modern home, this is easy. In a historic St. Paul brick home, it is an engineering challenge.

The Challenge: Radiators and Rough Openings

The original back door was blocked by a large cast-iron radiator, which forced the door to swing awkwardly against the flow of the kitchen.

• The Fix: As part of the larger kitchen remodel, we removed the radiator (rerouting the heat source) so we could reverse the swing direction.
• The Sizing: The rough opening was non-standard—10 inches taller than a standard door and unusually thick to match the double-wythe brick wall. You can’t buy this door at Home Depot; it had to be custom-milled.

We ordered the custom solid oak door from a premium manufacturer. The largest challenge was finding a manufactuer that would be able to make the door given it’s a typical size and style. The door assembly was hundreds of pounds and needed to be anchored into the structural brick.

The Technical Details

Because the door is solid oak and extra tall, it is incredibly heavy.

• Hardware: We used heavy-duty, period-appropriate quadrant hinges to ensure the top and bottom leaves align perfectly forever.
• Modern Tech: The client wanted smart access, but standard smart locks don’t fit the unique bore spacing of a Dutch door. We reworked the lockset to integrate a modern electronic deadbolt that blends seamlessly with the vintage aesthetic.

The Result

A stunning, draft-free entryway that honors the history of the house while fulfilling a lifelong wish.

Do you have a complex vision for your older home? Contact Us o work with a team that sweats the details.