Buyers working for salvage antique warehouses shop the globe looking for the best in European Doors for use in residences as well as vintage buildings such as apartment buildings. European Doors can be used to set the style tone of the entire building, so it makes sense to shop carefully for this investment piece for your vintage building.

Some of the most beautiful European Doors come from Italy. Italian doors vary in size and appearance depending upon several factors, most notably their age and the design style of the building from which they originated. You will find that Italian doors, as well as doors from other countries, have some common features. The door might be paneled, for example, meaning that there are indented portions that decorate the front of the door. There could be anywhere from one, two, three, four or more panels used to adorn an entrance door. Many older, antique Italian doors are arched doors, with a curve in the topmost edge of the door, which fits into an arched casing. Doors may also have glazing, which are small windows that are set into the door. In the late nineteenth and into the early twentieth centuries, an architectural style known as Italian Renaissance was developed in America, which borrowed design details from Italian original buildings. This design style evolved when architects from America had opportunity to visit Italy and see the glorious buildings there first-hand, then they came home and tried to recreate the look in new buildings. In Italian Renaissance-style homes, the arched doors are also enhanced with large arched windows, usually on the first floor, over which were square-shaped windows on upper floors. Emphasis was placed on these beautiful arched doors with an ornately decorated entry area, which often featured fancy pediments over the door, and columns or pilasters flanking the door.

Another popular option for historic homes and buildings is to use mahogany doors. These mahogany doors are crafted from the namesake dark-colored hardwood. A wide variety of European mahogany doors from different architectural-style buildings are available from salvage antique dealers, and many come with panels and glazing, with beautiful arched tops. Some are even pre-hung, making it even easier to install one at your residence or building.

Wine cellar doors also make a positive impact on adding patina and age to your home. Taken from old wineries in Europe, wine cellar doors can be used throughout the home to lend glorious character to any exterior entry. Imagine wine cellar doors years old adorning the entryways of your home, and you will quickly become enamored of their grace and charm.