History:
– Earliest doors seen in Egyptian tomb paintings
– Egyptian doors made of single or double pieces of wood
– Framed doors introduced in other countries
– Framed doors constructed with stiles and rails
– Ancient doors made of various woods like olive, elm, cedar, oak, and cypress
Design:
– Doors are hinged or movable barriers
– Doors provide security by controlling access
– Doors can move in various ways to allow or prevent entry
– Doors are made of materials suited to their purpose
– Doors can have locking mechanisms, knockers, or doorbells
Functions:
– Doors ensure privacy and security
– Doors separate areas with different functions
– Doors allow light, control ventilation, and dampen noise
– Doors can have aesthetic, symbolic, or ritualistic purposes
– Keys to doors can symbolize a change in status
Symbolism:
– Doors and doorways appear in literature and the arts
– Doors symbolize change and transition
– Receiving a key to a door signifies moving from outsider to insider
– Doors can have metaphorical or allegorical significance
– Doors in art and literature often represent portents of change
Construction:
– Ancient doors made of timber, stone, silver, or brass
– Hanging stile, top rail, bottom rail, and intermediate rails in door construction
– Doors can be cased in valuable metals like gold
– Stone doors and massive door sockets found in archaeological sites
– Pintles used to hang ancient doors at the top and bottom of the hanging stile