Service Doors: Small Details, Big Impact

While they may not be the focal point of your home's exterior, service doors play an important role in both the functionality and safety of your space. These doors typically provide access between your garage and the outside, or between the garage and your mudroom—and they deserve just as much design consideration as your front entry door.

At Royalty Custom Homes, we use Waudena’s Cambridge line for these hardworking entries. These steel doors are not only stylish but also provide enhanced security and durability. For added protection, the door leading from the garage into the mudroom is fire-rated, ensuring it meets code requirements while still contributing to the cohesive aesthetic of your home.

Style Meets Safety

Just because a door is utilitarian doesn’t mean it has to look that way. With a range of color and panel options, your service doors can still reflect your home’s overall style while staying practical and up to code.

Whether you want a clean, solid-painted door to match your garage interior or a textured panel with subtle detail, Waudena's Cambridge series gives you the flexibility to make it your own.

Design Limitations & Considerations

• Fire-Rated Doors Can’t Include Glass
  For safety reasons, fire-rated doors (typically the garage-to-mudroom entry) are not permitted to have glass inserts or windows of any kind. This ensures compliance with building codes and maximizes fire protection between living and garage spaces.

• Custom Colors Are Available
  Want your door to match a specific paint color? Waudena offers custom color options—including matches to Sherwin Williams colors—but keep in mind that custom finishes come with a significant price increase.

• Added Features Cost More
  If your exterior service door (such as one leading from the garage to the backyard) includes upgrades like privacy glass, blinds, or decorative grilles, those features will increase the cost due to additional materials and manufacturing. These options are ideal for boosting privacy or adding visual interest—but they’re not allowed on fire-rated doors.

Service doors may be tucked into quieter corners of your home, but they still deserve attention. With thoughtful design choices, you can balance style, safety, and functionality—creating entryways that work as hard as they look good.