Revisiting This Old House 2019 Ideas House

As the fourth generation of a family of manufacturers, we know what it's like to strive to preserve the integrity and legacy of the past while catching up to the innovations of today's design and building materials. Fortunately, we have learned to balance the two in order to provide a quality product built on tried and true practices while pushing the limits to give you more in a garage door.

We were proud to partner with another organization that holds the value of blending old school with new. The 2019 Ideas House in the coveted historic district of downtown New Canaan, CT featured the restoration of the facade of an 1880's Greek Revival. Karp Associates and CAH Architects married old with new to accommodate the legacy of the home and allow for modern aspirations.

The house was originally built in the late 1800's and until recently had been largely uninhabited with the exception of the rumored family of rats. Today it remains a built-from-the-ground-up glory that holds true to the original architectural style. Greek Revival architecture spans much of the 1800's designed to represent the triumph of our newly formed nation. The homes were painted in white to reflect the clean, solid marble of Greek design. They are typically rectangular in shape with a low pitch roof and large columns.

One defining aspect of Greek Revival is the windows and the front door which was often expansive to give dimension to the design. Typically they used double hung, 6-pane windows using a mid 19th-century glazing technique. The entry door is known for its dramatic side windows and transoms to enhance the interior light, overall sophistication to provide all who enter a warm welcome!

The Plan

The plan was to save the historic part of the façade, and build behind it a modern home with today's most innovative, quality building materials while preserving the window sashes and other aspects of the original build. Doing this requires the ability to adjust from the original material to a modern material offering sustainability and design capabilities. This is where we come in!

To complement the restored window sashes on the front of the home and many other features - both historic and contemporary - the Roaring Twenties Charleston design was chosen for the style, size, and complementing interior grille. Powder coated track was custom built to accommodate the angled roof and car lift. Every detail was considered in this project, and the garage doors were no exception.

The Doors

With the level of commitment made to the restoration of the front windows, selecting a garage door with complementary windows that are not only big and beautiful but built to last and allow the stark history to shine through. Using our one piece construction method to eliminate the gaps at joints and unsightly plastic inserts of other door models, our interior grille option enhances the character and depth of the top section! The complementary powder coated track truly shines as a nod to the modern twist of color used around the exterior and a break from the traditional white of Greek revival architecture.

The classic American carriage door comes to life with the Fimbel Roaring Twenties series. With its simulated battens, clean cut overlays, and the look of a swing door, it makes any project feel like home. The smart period detail combined with our advanced materials allow you to enjoy the look of wood with virtually no maintenance. Using patented construction and design flexibility, we offer nearly any combination of window and door styles. Roaring Twenties collection blends both tradition and innovation to welcome you home with a beautiful and durable door to stand the test of time.

The Result

When the project requires beauty and durability while offering more, the answer is a Fimbel door. This Old House Idea House 2019 is what new homebuyers want in a house today with its proximity to downtown New Canaan, the open and modern interior, and the finest 3-car garage in the area. With bonus rooms sprinkled throughout the house, it is clear they left no detail overlooked.

We are proud that our Roaring Twenties garage doors will welcome the new owners home and provide safety and durability for life. To learn more about how you can complement your home with a garage door uniquely crafted for you, please find a dealer and get curious about how you can find more in a garage door.

Resource Guide: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19937585/toh_resource_guide_final.3small.pdf