Divided Light Windows & Doors

Divided Light Windows & Doors

Divided light windows are available in two primary styles: True Divided Light (TDL) and Simulated Divided Light (SDL). While they offer a very similar appearance, the way they are constructed—and the benefits they provide—are quite different.

True Divided Light (TDL)

A True Divided Light (TDL) window is built exactly as its historic predecessors were. Each individual pane of glass is a separate piece, divided by solid wood muntins that form the traditional grid pattern. This style was originally developed because manufacturing large sheets of glass was difficult and expensive, making smaller panes the practical solution for centuries.

Today, authentic TDL windows are primarily found on historic homes, landmark restorations, and custom residences where historical accuracy is essential. Very few manufacturers still produce genuine TDL windows with historically correct profiles. Stewart Brannen Millworks is proud to be among the few that continue crafting these traditional designs while preserving the architectural character that makes them so distinctive.

Simulated Divided Light (SDL)

As insulated glass became the standard for energy-efficient construction, Simulated Divided Light (SDL) windows were developed to provide the timeless appearance of divided lights without sacrificing modern performance.

An SDL window features a single insulated glass unit with decorative spacer bars positioned between the panes of glass. Matching wood muntins are permanently bonded to both the interior and exterior surfaces, creating the same dimensional look as a traditional divided light window.

From a normal viewing distance, it is extremely difficult to distinguish a high-quality SDL window from a true divided light window. Because SDL windows offer exceptional energy efficiency while maintaining classic aesthetics, they have become the preferred choice for many homeowners, architects, and builders—whether constructing a new custom home or renovating a historic property.

Endless Design Possibilities

Both TDL and SDL windows can be customized with a wide variety of grille patterns, muntin widths, and lite configurations to complement virtually any architectural style.

A classic example is the traditional entry door featuring a raised lower wood panel with a 2-wide by 3-high divided light pattern above. However, your options don't stop there.

Every Stewart Brannen Millworks window and door is built to order, giving you complete freedom to choose the size, proportions, grille layout, and overall design that best suits your home. Whether you're recreating a centuries-old historic pattern or designing something entirely your own, our craftsmen will work with you to create windows and doors that are as beautiful as they are enduring.

CNC

CNC Precision. Handcrafted Quality.
At Stewart Brannen Millworks, craftsmanship has always been our foundation. But exceptional craftsmanship doesn't mean resisting technology—it means embracing the tools that allow us to build even better.

For years, we researched CNC router technology, knowing it had the potential to transform custom door manufacturing. The challenge wasn't the machines—it was finding software sophisticated enough to handle the level of customization our work demands. Unlike mass-produced products, nearly every door we manufacture is built to a customer's exact specifications. Standard cabinet software simply couldn't accommodate the thousands of design variations, dimensions, profiles, and architectural details that define our work.

Everything changed when we partnered with CADCode.

By integrating our proprietary design spreadsheets with advanced CNC programming, we created a seamless workflow that converts customer specifications directly into precision machining instructions. Instead of manually drawing every component to generate tool paths, our system intelligently calculates the exact coordinates required for each operation. The result is a manufacturing process that is faster, more accurate, and remarkably consistent—without sacrificing the craftsmanship that makes every Stewart Brannen Millworks product unique.

Built for Custom, Not Production Line
Our CNC routers allow us to manufacture an incredible range of custom products with repeatable precision while giving our craftsmen the flexibility to create one-of-a-kind architectural millwork. Whether producing a single custom entry door or an entire home's worth of millwork, every component is machined with exceptional accuracy before receiving the careful attention of our experienced craftsmen throughout the finishing and assembly process.

Technology That Supports Craftsmanship
Our investment in CNC technology was never about replacing skilled artisans—it was about giving them better tools. By automating repetitive machining operations, we reduce the possibility of human error while allowing our team to focus on the details that truly matter: fit, finish, design, and quality. Every stile, rail, panel, arch, and profile is produced with precision measured to thousandths of an inch, ensuring superior joinery, cleaner profiles, and a consistently exceptional finished product.

The Stewart Brannen Difference
Modern technology and traditional woodworking are not opposites—they're partners. Our CNC manufacturing process allows us to build with greater precision, improve efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain the uncompromising quality that has defined Stewart Brannen Millworks for generations. Because while technology can machine wood with incredible accuracy, it still takes experienced craftsmen to transform it into something extraordinary.

Why Wood Remains the Gold Standard for Custom Doors

Why Wood Remains the Gold Standard for Custom Doors

For centuries, wood has been the material of choice for exceptional doors—and for good reason. Long before steel, fiberglass, or composite materials entered the market, master craftsmen relied on wood to create entrances that offered strength, beauty, and lasting performance. Today, despite advances in modern materials, nothing rivals the warmth, character, and versatility of a handcrafted wood door.

At Stewart Brannen Millworks, we believe every custom door should be as unique as the home it welcomes. Unlike manufactured materials, no two pieces of wood are ever identical. Each board carries its own distinctive grain, color, texture, and natural markings, creating a one-of-a-kind finished product that simply cannot be replicated.

The Beauty of a Living Material

Wood is a natural material, which means it responds to the environment around it. As humidity rises, wood absorbs moisture and expands. As humidity falls, it releases moisture and contracts. This movement is completely normal and is one of the defining characteristics of genuine wood.

The key isn't preventing wood from moving—it's engineering doors that are designed to accommodate that movement. When properly manufactured, finished, installed, and maintained, a quality wood door will provide decades of reliable performance while preserving its natural beauty.

Built for Stability

Craftsmanship extends far beyond appearance. Every component of a well-built door is selected with long-term performance in mind.

Engineered wood products, such as architectural plywood, are often incorporated into larger panels because their cross-laminated construction dramatically reduces seasonal movement compared to solid wood alone. Combined with premium joinery techniques and high-quality protective finishes, these materials help maintain structural integrity while allowing the door to adapt naturally to changing environmental conditions.

The result is a door that is not only beautiful on the day it is installed but one that continues to perform year after year.

Proper Storage and Installation Matter

Even the finest custom door deserves proper care before installation.
Wood products should always be stored in a dry, climate-controlled environment and remain wrapped until they are ready to be finished and installed. Excess moisture exposure during storage can affect how the door acclimates once installed, potentially leading to unnecessary movement.

Following recommended storage, finishing, and installation practices helps ensure your investment performs exactly as intended for years to come.

A Sustainable Investment

Wood is also one of the world's most renewable building materials. When responsibly harvested and carefully crafted, it offers an environmentally responsible choice without sacrificing performance or beauty.

More importantly, wood ages gracefully. Unlike many manufactured alternatives, a custom wood door develops character over time and can often be refinished or restored rather than replaced—making it an investment that can last for generations.

Crafted to Welcome Generations

A front door is more than an entryway. It is the first impression of a home, a reflection of its architecture, and a piece of craftsmanship that families will use every day. That's why, after centuries of innovation and countless alternative materials, handcrafted wood continues to set the standard for luxury custom doors. Its beauty, authenticity, and enduring performance remain unmatched—and that's why we continue to build with it.

What Sets SBM Apart?

We design our doors to honor the natural beauty of wood while working in harmony with its inherent characteristics. As a regional maker, every door we build is engineered for the climate it will endure, ensuring lasting performance without sacrificing elegance.

Stile and rail construction has stood the test of time for centuries. By refining the scale of each perimeter component, this approach naturally manages expansion and contraction caused by changes in moisture. Panels are precisely fitted within machined grooves and intentionally sized to accommodate movement. While the principles remain universal, true performance lies in the refinement—subtle adjustments informed by regional conditions and long experience.

Every door we produce is custom made using advanced CNC technology. This precision allows for complex detailing and exceptional consistency—achievements impossible to replicate by hand alone. Components are machined to exacting tolerances, then carefully inspected and assembled by skilled craftsmen. Once assembled, each door returns to the router for final sizing and meticulous hardware preparation. Door frames are machined with the same discipline, ensuring a seamless fit. The result is a finished product accurate to within a few thousandths of an inch.

Today, craftsmanship has reached a new standard. Technology has not replaced the craftsman; it has refined the craft. The tools we employ allow us to work with greater accuracy and intention than ever before, enabling results that were once unattainable—without compromise.

Our door stiles are engineered for enduring stability. Each features 1/8" face laminates, sawn in-house from carefully selected boards to ensure visual continuity and long-term durability. Thick stile edges allow for future trimming, while precisely chosen core materials provide uniform strength. In climates with fluctuating humidity, solid lumber can develop internal stresses that lead to distortion. Our engineered construction eliminates this risk.

Our exterior doors feature our exclusive rimmed panel construction. An exterior-grade plywood core is wrapped with matching solid wood edges, joined with concealed finger joints to prevent separation over time. Once assembled, a 1/8" matching laminate face is pressed using Type I exterior adhesives. Laminates are sawn from individual boards and kept together to preserve grain and color consistency. Each panel is then machined and raised to fit precisely within the door.

This exacting process ensures exceptional dimensional stability. The result is an exterior panel that resists warping and splitting while maintaining the appearance of solid wood.

We value long-term relationships built on trust. With decades of experience crafting doors for this region, we understand both beauty and performance. When a design choice may compromise longevity, we will say so. Our role is not simply to build a door, but to help realize your vision with clarity, confidence, and enduring quality.