Sun + Lake Breeze
UV near the lakefront accelerates varnish breakdown.
Severity
Mandeville Door Refinishing
Born in Mandeville • 20+ Years • Hundreds of Northshore doors refinished
Hyper‑local Expertise
From Old Mandeville cottages along the Tammany Trace to modern lakefront homes by the Causeway, we’ve refinished every kind of Northshore door there is. We know how Louisiana sun, salt‑tinged breezes, and afternoon storms treat wood — and how to make it last.
Pricing Guidance
- Single solid wood door: typical range $700–$1,200 depending on exposure and condition
- Double doors or door + sidelites: typical range $1,200–$2,000
- Severe sun/rot repair, ornate details, or color changes may increase scope
These are guidance ranges. We’ll confirm an exact quote after a quick look at exposure, existing finish, and hardware.
Why It Matters in Mandeville
Afternoon Storms
Moisture sneaks into failed finishes and lifts the film.
Severity
Annual Maintenance
Light coats prevent costly strip‑and‑refinish cycles.
Severity
Architectural Fit
Color and sheen should suit Old Mandeville’s character.
Severity
Neighborhoods We Serve
- Old Mandeville
- Fontainebleau
- Lewisburg
- The Sanctuary
- Beau Chene
- Lakeshore Drive
- Causeway area
And many more across Mandeville and the Northshore.
Recent Projects in Mandeville
Before
After
Mandeville Mahogany Door Restoration
Mahogany Door Refresh near the lakefront (No Gel Strippers—Ever) Twelve summers near the lakefront will do a number on any door. This mahogany one had gone dull and flaky—classic UV + humidity combo. What we did: Pulled the hardware, masked everything clean. No mess, no scratches. Finish removal: no gel strippers, ever. Just careful hand-sanding to keep lines crisp. Sanding ladder: 120 → 180 → 220 → 320 with the grain. Quick raise-and-knock for whiskers, light conditioning on tired spots. The finish: We used a three-coat marine varnish made for brutal Louisiana weather: Thinned penetration coat to lock into the fibers Build coat, sanded smooth for grip Show coat for depth and clarity. We also sealed the top and bottom edges—the step most people skip, and the one that keeps moisture swings in check. The result Warm color back, ribbon grain glowing, and a clear, tough finish that looks like furniture but handles storms. Lake Pontchartrain sun? Ready. Humidity and sideways rain? Also ready.
View details in Gallery
Before
After
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. SEO Keywords Included:
View details in Gallery
Before
After
Elegant Entryway Transformation
This solid cherry door in Mandeville's prestigious Beau Chene subdivision was structurally sound but had a builder-grade natural finish that failed to showcase the premium wood's potential or complement the home's elegant interior design. The homeowner, after completing a luxury kitchen renovation, wanted an entrance that would match their home's sophisticated aesthetic and create a stunning first impression. Our enhancement process began with careful assessment of the existing cherry wood, which had beautiful grain patterns that were muted by the original clear coat. Rather than complete stripping, we employed a specialized refinishing technique that preserved the wood's natural aging while dramatically enhancing its appearance. The process started with light sanding to remove the existing clear coat and prepare the wood for stain absorption. Color selection was critical - we tested multiple deep stain options before achieving the perfect 'Dark Cherry' that enhanced the wood's natural richness while complementing the home's interior palette. The staining process required multiple thin applications to build depth and ensure even penetration across the door's raised panel design. Our finishing system includes four coats of high-gloss marine varnish, hand-sanded between each coat to achieve a mirror-like finish that showcases the cherry's natural beauty. The transformation created a stunning focal point that dramatically elevated the home's curb appeal and provided a perfect transition to the luxury interior.
View details in GalleryBefore
After
Hurricane Ida Damage Restoration
Hurricane Ida's devastating impact on this Mandeville oak door in August 2021 included wind-driven rain penetration, structural warping, and water damage to the bottom rail that had led to early rot formation. The homeowner contacted us six months after the storm, frustrated with insurance delays and multiple failed repair attempts by other contractors. Our hurricane damage restoration expertise proved crucial in salvaging this solid red oak door that would have cost $3,000 to replace with comparable quality. The restoration began with comprehensive moisture assessment using professional meters to ensure all water damage was properly identified and addressed. Structural repairs included carefully removing the damaged bottom rail, milling a replacement piece from matching red oak, and using traditional joinery techniques to seamlessly integrate the new wood. The warping required specialized straightening techniques using controlled moisture and pressure over several days in our climate-controlled workshop. All hardware mounting points needed reinforcement due to screw pull-out during the storm, requiring professional wood repair techniques and upgraded fasteners. The refinishing process included deep penetrating stain to match the aged appearance of the original wood, followed by our most durable marine-grade finish system specifically chosen for its hurricane resistance. We documented the entire restoration process for the homeowner's insurance claim and provided a detailed maintenance plan to maximize the door's storm resistance for future hurricane seasons.
View details in GalleryMaintenance in Mandeville
Almanac Tip
Lakefront & High Sun
Coat interval
~12 months
Intense UV near Lakeshore breaks down varnish faster—keep it glowing with a light refresh.
Rule of thumb: inspect after summer storms and before peak sun.
Almanac Tip
Shaded & Inland
Coat interval
~18–24 months
Less direct sun means longer between coats, but don’t skip inspection after storm season.
Rule of thumb: inspect after summer storms and before peak sun.
Almanac Tip
How We Maintain
Method
On-hinge service
We don’t remove the door—thin protective coats, taped hardware, and a quick, tidy turnaround.
Rule of thumb: inspect after summer storms and before peak sun.
Also nearby: Covington Door Refinishing.