Rated 5/5
An entryway transformation changes more than the door. It resets the proportions, shadow lines, and first impression of your home, while quietly improving security and energy performance.
We’ve partnered with:
Most front-door jobs are slab swaps. We design the whole opening so the result reads as architecture, not a part replacement.
Other Companies
A door swap
Same opening, same trim, new slab. The visible result is small and the install issues stay the same.
Off-the-shelf ONLY
A small showroom catalogue with the same five doors most of your neighbours already have.
Hardware as an after thought
Handles, hinges, and weather seals chosen at the end based on what is in stock.
With Rideau
We design the opening
Sidelights, transoms, proportions, finish. The whole entry is composed, not just the slab.
Sourced for the home
We specify from a wider field than any single showroom carries, and choose around your architecture.
Hardware specific, not improvised
Locksets, multi-points, weather seals, and finishes chosen at design, not on the day.
The highest-impact change you can make to your home's exterior, done with the calm and care it deserves.
Curb appeal that does work
A correctly composed entryway is the highest-ROI exterior upgrade we know of.
Security upgraded by default
Multi-point locks and a properly anchored frame come standard, not as an upcharge.
No more drafts at the threshold
The most common air leak in any home is around the front door. We address it directly.
Daylight without compromise
Glass options that bring in light without giving up privacy or insulation.
Built for Ottawa
Materials and finishes specified for our winters, not a generic climate.
Quiet, considered hardware
The way the door closes matters. We specify so it sounds and feels right.
01
In-home consultation
We come to your home, assess the existing opening, and talk through the look you want — the proportions, the sightlines, how the entry reads from the street and from inside. We walk the whole facade, not just the door. Written scope follows in a few days. There is nothing to decide at the visit.
Design the opening
We sketch the composition, sample finishes, and specify hardware — sidelights, transoms, locksets, sill detail. The whole entry is designed before a single component is ordered. You approve every element. Nothing moves forward without your sign-off.
02
03
Photographed install
Removal, weatherproofing, install, finish carpentry, hardware — same Rideau team throughout. The worksite stays tidy and everything is documented. On completion, we walk you through every detail: the way the door closes, the way the threshold seals, the way the light falls into the entry. It should look and feel exactly like the version you agreed to. It does.
What types of entry doors do you install?
Fiberglass, steel, and custom CNC-carved doors, along with full entryway assemblies — sidelights, transoms, multi-point locks, and matching hardware. We source from a wider field than any single showroom carries, which means we can specify around your home's architecture rather than around what is on a lot dealer's floor.
What is the difference between a fiberglass and a steel door?
Steel is strong, economical, and handles high-traffic use well. It can dent and is more prone to thermal bridging — meaning it can feel cold to the touch in an Ottawa winter. Fiberglass does not dent, does not warp, holds paint better long-term, and has a higher insulating value. It also accepts wood-grain finishes that look close to real wood without the maintenance. For most Ottawa homes we specify fiberglass, but the right choice depends on your opening, your budget, and the look you want.
How long does the installation take?
A single entry door is typically a one-day installation. A more involved entryway — with sidelights, a transom, or a modified rough opening — may take two days. We complete the finish carpentry and hardware the same visit, so you are not left with an unfinished threshold overnight. We give you a confirmed schedule before the work begins.
Can you add sidelights or a transom to an existing opening?
Yes, in most cases. Adding sidelights or a transom requires modifying the rough opening and the surrounding trim, which is work we plan carefully during the design phase. Not every wall allows it without structural changes, but we assess that at the consultation before any design decisions are made. The goal is always to compose the whole entry correctly, not to force a feature into a space that does not suit it.
Will a new entry door actually fix the drafts?
Yes, if the installation is done properly. The draft at most front doors comes from a failed or compressed threshold seal, a warped slab, or a frame that was not correctly shimmed and anchored. A new door with a properly set frame, a quality threshold, and perimeter weatherstripping addresses all three. We do not just swap the slab — we prepare the opening so the new door performs the way it should.
Do I choose hardware at the same time as the door?
Yes, and that is intentional. Hardware — locksets, hinges, handles, and the way the door closes and latches — is specified during the design phase, not picked up at a hardware store on install day. The finish, the weight, and the mechanism all affect how the door feels to use. We bring hardware samples to the design conversation so you can see and handle the options before anything is ordered.
