Historic Cypress Door Refinishing

This classic cypress door, original to a 1920s Old Mandeville home, had seen decades of wear from Louisiana’s punishing climate. The once-warm wood had dulled, and the textured privacy glass was surrounded by a frame weathered by sun, humidity, and time.

The homeowner, committed to preserving the charm of their Lake Pontchartrain cottage, asked us to restore the door’s natural cypress beauty while enhancing its durability against the elements. Our cypress door refinishing process began with a full sanding of the failing finish—removing old varnish and embedded grime without compromising the integrity of the original wood.

The Restoration Process

Once sanded, the door revealed its signature cypress grain—tight, rich, and naturally resistant to moisture. We treated the wood with a conditioning agent to restore its internal balance, then hand-sanded the surface to a smooth, consistent texture.

For color, we applied a light custom stain that highlighted the natural tones of the wood while complementing the home's historic green siding and white trim. Three coats of marine-grade varnish were then brushed on by hand, creating a protective seal that offers long-term UV and moisture resistance—ideal for the Gulf Coast climate.

Finished With Craftsmanship

This refinished cypress door now glows with warmth and character, bringing timeless curb appeal back to the home’s front entry. The textured privacy glass was cleaned and retained as a nod to its original function, maintaining both security and historic charm.

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