After doing an online search nationwide for many months to find the perfect screen door that I…read morewould be proud to mount on my 112 year old house's front door, I found Coppa Woodworking. And they were practically in my own backyard. The products offered at Home Depot (and such) did not meet my standards, and the other, custom builders that I had found, were far, far away, and quite pricey. I was thrilled that I could actually see the facility, meet the employees, touch the product, not to mention, avoid shipping costs if I wanted. Very compelling.
Besides offering beautiful products, Coppa had multiple happy reviews, so I reached out to one particularly articulate Yelper who, 10 years ago, had written a very enthusiastic review of his experience with them. The fate of a 10 year old wooden screen door should give me an idea if this was a good idea to pursue. Did he still feel that way? Indeed, he replied, he felt exactly the same as the day he wrote about his screen door. And he was seriously thinking about commissioning them for more. Good enough for me!
One probing phone call later to Stephanie (a family member in charge of office duty), and further familiarizing myself with their website and products, I knew exactly I wanted: a paintable, wooden screen door embellished with Victorian spindles and scroll work. Best of all, they made models with a doggie door that would magnetically close yet looked indistinguishable from the other panels at the bottom. They also offered several types of upgraded screen materials, non-metalic, one of which was far more durable for pets and forgetful people who push on the screen. It was time for an in-person trip.
It was a 45-mile drive. We arrived at an aging, family-run workshop hidden in an old, heavily industrial area in old San Pedro. Generations of hard working tradition! Exactly what I had hoped, my heart sang. The products were stunning.
Fast forward to 4 weeks later. My door was ready for pick up. They also carried hardware that I could purchase separately. My thought was, after all these years in business, they would offer me sound advice on what would look good, and be made to last. They carried doorknobs and hinges in stock. And my baby was ready to bring home.
I turned loose my most favorite handyman/painter on her to finish the job. He, too, was quite impressed with the workmanship. She is now a beautiful, functioning screen door with adjustable spring hinges to get her to snap shut, a sound that rings of nostalgia, and with a look that unquestionably adds charm to my entry. I am so pleased. And so is my 13 lb chihuahua who, with a couple nudges, learned quickly to love her new, little swinging door.
It's a beautiful door. Thank you Coppa Family for making my dream come true!