News / Press Releases: Fact Sheet

Contacts:

Greg LeFevre, Vice President Sales & Marketing, 520-574-7374, X 187
Bette Pietsch, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, 520-574-7374, X 127

Profile:

Architectural Traditions designs and manufactures crafted products unequaled in character, detail and design for the Door, Window and Hardware Markets on a global basis. Our mission is to design products that are true to each site's local architectural style or each customer's architectural preference. Our precision craftsmanship allows us to meet the most exacting custom specifications and our product lines complement a wide range of architectural styles, making it simple to create a look that's truly unique.

History:

Nationally recognized "Master Builder" Mark Butler founded Southwest Door Company in 1988 in Tucson, Arizona. Mark specialized in building custom homes true to the local architectural style of the Southwest. To create these authentic designs, Mark utilized building materials not readily available from traditional building material suppliers. For example, he made his own mud for adobe homes, hand-peeled logs for accents, and handcrafted doors, windows and hardware that were true to the architectural style of each home.

As Mark's homes gained national acclaim, there was great interest in the materials he used - specifically the exterior doors, window, interior doors and hardware. Many top custom builders from across the country called asking where they could purchase these materials. As a result, the company expanded its offering of wood species, product designs and finishes so that every style of architecture throughout the country could be accommodated.

Today, Architectural Traditions is one of the largest custom millwork and hardware manufacturers in the country. Its products are used coast to coast and in foreign countries on a wide variety of architectural styles. The company continues to focus its attention on servicing the custom home market and its discriminating tastes.

Our New Name:

As Southwest Door grew, we remained committed to Mark's mission to design products that are true to each site's traditional architectural styles. While we are very proud of our Southwestern heritage, our old name - Southwest Door Company - did not adequately reflect our mission or the company we have grown to become. Therefore, we have changed our name to "Architectural Traditions," which better reflects our company's dedication to providing products that respect the traditions of each architectural style.

Products:

Versatility of design, combined with our production capabilities, allows us to offer a collection of doors, windows, hardware, cabinets and flooring which add a whole new dimension to what has traditionally been available in the marketplace. The variety of products, choice of materials and broad spectrum of distresses and finishes allow creation of a true expression of individuality, regardless of style.

Production Facility:

Our production process combines precision craftsmanship with modern manufacturing, and is based in a state-of-the-art 200,000-square-foot facility in Tucson, Arizona. We have our own in-house custom finishing and glazing departments as well as a foundry for all cast bronze and iron hardware. We utilize both automated and handcrafting processes.

Resources & Capabilities:

Architectural Traditions is the only company of its kind that allows the builder, architect, designer and/or homeowner complete control to create windows, doors, hardware, wood flooring and cabinet fronts with a consistent look and quality that only a single source supplier can offer. Our lumber is purchased directly from some of the largest mills in the country and processed in house. The dry climate of the desert southwest is ideal for keeping the kiln-dried moisture content of wood in the ideal 7% to 9% range. Doors, window frames and sashes are cut from the same load of lumber to ensure multi-product orders have a consistent look. Our custom capabilities include unique hand-rubbed finishes, hand-applied textures and innovative designs. Our in-house design team helps provide not just options but what is actually desired.

Distribution:

Architectural Traditions products are offered exclusively through our nationwide network of authorized dealers. An online directory of our dealers is available on this website.

Headquarters, Design Showroom and Production Facilities: