Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about measuring, ordering, hardware options, or shipping? You’re in the right place. Below are the most frequently asked questions our customers have when purchasing custom saloon or café doors from Swinging Cafe Doors.

Still have questions? Call us at 1-855-34-DOORS (36677) or Contact Us — we’re happy to help!

Measuring & Sizing

H3: How do I measure my door opening?
Measure the finished opening from inside edge to inside edge. Take measurements in at least two or three places (top, middle, and bottom) and use the smallest number. Enter that number into the “Door Opening Size Inches” field when ordering.

H3: Where do I enter my door opening size?
Use the dropdown menu on the product page to select your opening width.

H3: What size should I order for saloon doors?
Simply measure your finished door opening and give us the smallest measurement (to the nearest 1/16"). All doors and hardware will be made to fit the size you select.

H3: Will a 30" door opening size fit my 29-1/2" opening?
No. A 30" stock door set will not fit a 29-1/2" opening. All stock doors are designed to fit the exact opening size listed.

At what height should I install my doors?
For 38" tall doors, we recommend installing them so the bottom of the doors sits about 20" from the floor.

Materials & Finishes

H3: What material is best for painted doors?
Soft Maple is recommended for a smoother finish and less visible grain. Poplar is also a good option.

H3: What material is best for stained doors?
Red Oak, Sapele, and Rustic Alder are all excellent choices for stained finishes. These woods offer attractive grain patterns.

H3: Can I get professional finishing on other woods besides Oak?
Currently, professional staining is only offered on Oak. If you need finishing on Sapele or Ash, please contact us for a custom quote.

Custom Doors & Ordering

H3: How do I order custom doors?
Use the dropdowns on the product page to select your size and options, or watch our video tutorial for help.

H3: What if I want a custom option I don’t see online?
Call us at 1-855-34-DOORS (36677) or contact us to request a quote for a completely custom design — swinging, sliding, or traditional.

H3: Does the price include one or two doors?
Check the photo and description. If the photo shows two doors, your purchase includes two doors. If only one door is shown, you will receive one.

Hinges & Hardware

H3: What’s the best hardware option?
Our most popular choice is the Commercial Grade Gravity Pivot Hinge — durable, holds doors open, and conceals more of the door opening. Learn more about hinge types. 

H3: Will spring hinges hold the door open?
No. Commercial grade spring hinges do not hold open. They close automatically and offer adjustable tension.

H3: What are the differences between hinge types?

• Standard Hinges: Gravity-based, hold open, 30 lb. rating.
  
  
• Premium Gravity Hinges: Quiet operation, brass only, 50 lb. rating.
  
  
• Commercial Grade Spring Hinges: Adjustable spring tension, no hold-open, high-traffic use.
  
  
• Commercial Grade Gravity Hinges: Holds open, heavy-duty, 50 lb. rating, minimal clearance required.
  
  

Shipping & Lead Times

H3: When will my doors ship?
Custom doors typically ship within 7–14 days of order receipt.

H3: Can I get my doors faster?
Yes! Expedited shipping is available — just give us a call.

H3: How much is shipping?
We offer free shipping within the continental U.S.. For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or international orders, use the shipping calculator in your cart.

H3: Do you ship to Canada?
Yes. Add items to your cart and use the "Estimate Shipping & Tax" tool with your country and postal code.

Installation & Support

H3: How hard is installation?
Installation is straightforward, and instructions are included with every door. Some doors arrive prepped for hardware. The trickiest part is aligning the two panels — we offer tips in our video tutorials.

H3: Still have questions?

• Call us: 1-855-34-DOORS (36677)
  
  
• Email us: info@swingingcafedoors.com
  
  
• Contact Us Online — we’ll respond within 24 hours (often sooner!)

Want to dive deeper? Check out the Swinging Door Blog for more helpful articles, tips, and design inspiration.