If you’ve followed my work for a while, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: if it’s going into the core of Toronto, chances are the door will be on the smaller side, and the job itself will be surprisingly complex. This project? Definitely fits the bill.
What you see here is a custom curved fiberglass door with a built-in curved glass panel, and while the finished product looks seamless and elegant, the work behind it was anything but simple.
This door was designed as a replica of the original wooden door that came with the home—likely built sometime in the 1940s. The original had great character and curb appeal thanks to the homeowners’ efforts to keep it in shape, but after decades of wear and tear, it was time for an upgrade. The door had warped badly, the wood had begun deteriorating, and the old lock wasn’t functioning properly, making it not only inefficient but also insecure.
The challenge? Curved doors like this one were traditionally only available in wood, and recreating that shape and detail in fiberglass is still relatively new. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that doing a custom curved door meant either committing to a $15,000+ custom wood build or sacrificing design flexibility. Thankfully, fiberglass door technology has come a long way—and I’d say we’ve gotten pretty good at replicating wood door styles in fiberglass without compromising on durability, insulation, or cost.
Why fiberglass? Simply put, it’s one of the most practical materials for modern entry doors. It’s energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and, most importantly for this project, versatile enough to pull off the complex radius required for the door and glass panel. That means we were able to capture the original look of the door while giving the homeowners a major upgrade in performance and security.
Speaking of security, this new door was fitted with a multipoint locking system, which offers dramatically improved resistance to forced entry compared to traditional deadbolts. It’s a feature that’s becoming more standard in our work—and for good reason.
But the real magic of this project wasn’t just in the materials—it was in the precision work required to get the installation just right. Every single component—the curved trim, frame, casing, and door slab—had to be individually shaped and adjusted during installation. The curvature may look smooth in the final photos, but aligning all those pieces so they work together without gaps or visual inconsistencies takes time, skill, and a healthy dose of patience.
This was also a solo install, which made it even more demanding—but also more rewarding. Of all the projects I completed last year, this one holds a special place as a real milestone in both craftsmanship and problem-solving.
More and more homeowners are choosing fiberglass entry doors, even for intricate designs like this. And I’m glad the industry is finally giving us the tools to make custom, curved fiberglass doors a reality—not just a luxury reserved for ultra-high-end custom homes.
If you’re considering a custom fiberglass door—curved or otherwise—feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to talk shop.