Sun + Lake Breeze
UV near the lakefront accelerates varnish breakdown.
Severity
Covington Door Refinishing
Born in Mandeville • 20+ Years • Hundreds of Northshore doors refinished
Hyper‑local Expertise
From tree‑lined streets near Bogue Falaya Park to classic porches off Columbia Street, Covington doors see a mix of sun, shade, and humidity that can wear finishes fast. Our refinishing process brings back the wood’s depth and protects it against what St. Tammany weather throws at it.
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 Covington
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 Covington
- River Forest
- Tchefuncte River area
- TerraBella
- Flower Estates
And many more across Covington and the Northshore.
Recent Projects in Covington
Before
After
Cedar Door Sun Damage Repair
This beautiful western red cedar door on a Covington home faced southwestern exposure and had endured eight years of Louisiana's intense afternoon sun, resulting in severe photodegradation that turned the naturally rich cedar from its characteristic reddish-brown to a weathered silver-gray. The UV damage had penetrated deep into the wood fibers, creating a chalky surface texture and making the door vulnerable to moisture infiltration and insect damage. The homeowner loved cedar's natural beauty but was discouraged by quotes from other contractors suggesting complete door replacement. Our cedar restoration expertise allowed us to completely reverse the sun damage and restore the door's natural beauty while providing superior protection against future UV exposure. The restoration process began with assessment of the depth of photodegradation using specialized techniques to determine how much material needed to be removed. Gentle pressure washing removed surface contamination without damaging the wood fibers, followed by careful sanding with progressively finer grits to remove the gray, damaged wood and reveal the healthy red cedar underneath. Cedar requires special handling due to its natural oils and resin content - we used specialized cedar stain formulated to penetrate deeply while allowing the wood to breathe naturally. The UV protection system includes advanced light-blocking technology that prevents future photodegradation while maintaining the cedar's natural appearance. The transformation restored the door's warm, rich color and protective qualities, extending its life by decades.
View details in GalleryBefore
After
Water Damage Door Repair
This beautiful mahogany door in a Covington home suffered severe water damage during a plumbing emergency that flooded the foyer with two inches of standing water for over 12 hours before discovery. The water had wicked up into the door's bottom rail, causing the mahogany to swell, warp, and begin developing early stages of rot that threatened the door's structural integrity. Insurance adjusters had recommended complete door replacement, but the homeowner loved the door's character and wanted to explore restoration options before giving up on the solid mahogany construction. Our water damage restoration expertise allowed us to save this door through advanced repair techniques that fully restored both its structural integrity and aesthetic beauty. The restoration process began with comprehensive moisture assessment using professional meters to determine the extent of water penetration throughout the door structure. The damaged bottom rail required complete removal using traditional joinery techniques that preserved the surrounding wood and hardware mounting points. Creating a perfect replacement piece involved sourcing matching Honduras mahogany and milling it to exact specifications using the original rail as a template. The critical challenge was achieving seamless grain matching - we carefully selected the replacement lumber to continuation of the door's natural grain patterns across the repair joint. Installation required traditional mortise and tenon joinery techniques combined with modern waterproof adhesives to ensure the repair would be stronger than the original construction. The refinishing process included grain blending techniques that make the repair virtually invisible, followed by our most advanced water-resistant finishing system to prevent future moisture damage.
View details in GalleryBefore
After
Antique Cypress Door Historic Restoration
This exceptional 1920s Louisiana cypress door stood as the original entrance to a historic Covington home and featured authentic old-growth cypress construction with traditional mortise and tenon joinery, hand-forged hardware, and the characteristic tight grain patterns that made Louisiana cypress prized for construction during the early 20th century. Over ninety years, the door had been painted numerous times with lead-based and latex paints that completely obscured the beautiful cypress wood underneath. The current homeowners, committed to historic preservation and restoration authenticity, wanted to restore the door to its original 1920s appearance using period-appropriate materials and techniques. Our antique cypress restoration required specialized expertise in both historic preservation methods and lead-safe work practices to safely remove decades of paint buildup while preserving the door's authentic character. The project began with comprehensive documentation of the door's original construction details and hardware for historic accuracy throughout the restoration process. Lead-safe paint removal techniques were essential due to the age of the structure, requiring specialized equipment and environmental controls to protect both workers and the property. The stripping process revealed extraordinary old-growth cypress with the dense, tight grain patterns that are no longer available in modern lumber. Historic research guided our selection of period-appropriate finishing materials and techniques that would have been used in the 1920s while incorporating modern protection standards. The restoration includes traditional shellac-based finishing systems authentic to the period, combined with modern UV protection technology that maintains historic appearance while providing contemporary durability.
View details in GalleryMaintenance in Covington
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.