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Solid wood doors remain the premium option in Morocco, sought for luxury villas, riads, hotels. Made from glulam or traditional mortise-tenon panels. Species: pine (economical), beech (mid), oak (reference), walnut (premium), iroko/ipé for exposed entry. Marrakech and Fès host artisan carvers.
Pine/fir: dry interior only. Beech: dry interior, hard. Oak: interior or treated exterior, durability ref. Walnut: noble reception rooms, humidity-sensitive. Iroko/ipé/teak: exposed exterior (terrace, main entry). Atlas cedar (Moroccan): aromatic anti-moth, traditional carved doors.
Solid: authentic, +30% thermal/acoustic insulation, infinitely restorable (planing/sanding), fire inertia, 80-150 year life. But 3-5× expensive, humidity-sensitive (5 mm/m swelling). Wood veneer on flush (1,600-2,800 MAD): nearly identical look, stable, but veneer wears after 20-30 years. Premium villa: solid. Secondary rooms: veneer.
Varnished (PU factory): damp wipe, no harsh detergent. Re-varnish every 8-15 years. Oiled (linseed/teak/hardwax): annual or biennial application, easier local repair. Lasure (semi-transparent stain): exterior, redo every 3-5 years. Avoid opaque paint on noble species (hides grain beauty).
Simple Atlas cedar carved (classic geometric, 90×220): 12,000-18,000 MAD Fès/Marrakech artisan, 4-8 week lead. Mid-carving (stars, arabesques): 18,000-25,000, 8-12 weeks. Exceptional carving (fine moucharabieh, palace doors): 25,000-80,000, 3-6 months, renowned maâlems.
Moroccan climates very contrasting: seaside (70-85% humidity) → wood swells 3-7 mm/m, desert (15-30%) → shrinks 2-4 mm/m. Risks: door rubs in winter, warps in summer. Solutions: 1) Kiln-dried (12-15% moisture). 2) All-6-sides varnishing before install. 3) Acclimatize 1-2 weeks in install room. 4) Avoid pine seaside (use oak or iroko).
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