Doors

This material is presented for informational purposes only. Herron-Morton Place holds no liability for inaccuracies that may be contained herein. Individuals are urged to contact the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission for complete guidelines as may apply to your project.

Approval is not required for storm doors provided they conform with guidelines below. An exemption of portions of these standards is available to low-moderate income homeowners (owner-occupants).

• Original doors should be repaired and retained or, if beyond repair, replicated.
• If an original door is lost, its replacement may be an old or new door compatible with the building style. New doors should be wood, unless the original was a different material, and should match the original in size, shape and proportions.
• Transom windows and door trim should be retained or reinstalled if there is evidence of their original existence.
• Wood storm and screen doors are preferred. Aluminum or other metal may be considered if finished in a color to match the door or trim, fitted properly to the door opening with no spacers, designed to not obscure the primary door design, and there are no decorative details or simulated muntins.
• Hardware on a new door should be simple, unobtrusive and compatible with the building's style.
• If the original hardware is missing from an historic door, replacement hardware should be compatible historic hardware or unobtrusive and compatible new hardware.
• Original garage doors which are significant to the character of a garage should be repaired and retained. If beyond repair, they should serve as a model for the design of replacement doors.
• Replacement garage doors should be compatible with the garage design.

• Avoid eliminating original or adding new door openings, especially on significant facades. Any new openings should be distinguishable from original openings.
• Avoid sliding glass doors.
• Avoid discarding original door hardware. If possible, it should be repaired and retained.
• Avoid altering the size of garage door openings or changing single doors to double doors unless there is a documented access problem.