Copper trim brings out the features and color in these patinated doors on an Arizona home installed by Ideal Garage Doors of Mesa.
		The result is an approach to a copper garage door that goes a step beyond anyone else. Ryan thought the impact of a new garage door would be enhanced if the trim matched the new door and if the door came with a finished look, which could not be easily marred or continue to change with time. Why add five-year vinyl trim to a 100+ year Martin copper door? Ideal puts copper trim on all its copper doors and uses the real metal, eschewing any vinyl back trim. Johnson's dad, George, who manages Ideal, said that adding copper trim around a copper door is a good way to finish off a job, for the total look a customer craves. “We just figured when we're going to do copper to go the extra mile with what else there is that is required,” George Johnson said.

Johnson has submitted Martin copper doors to a company in Arizona that applies acid and gives a pre-finished patina look to the copper door that is held in place by a non-clear finish that is estimated to last several years.

“We're full service now. A customer can pick from the different finishes,” Johnson said. He said the concept has no limits.

“It completes the finishes of the look of the door. The whole unit comes together, first class, no exceptions,” Johnson continued.

That first class look seemed apparent to a pair of Martin Door officials who went with Johnson to see some pre-finished patina copper doors in Mesa. Neighbors and passing cars kept stopping near the home, to check out the doors.

One of the problems inherent in dealing with copper, according to Johnson, is that no matter how much care an installer uses in installing the door (i.e. gloves, special handling) the customer cannot seem to keep their hands off the door----which affects the finish.

Now Johnson said the finished look can be installed, with no impact by a hands-on approach from the customer.

As a result of his new approach to a finished look, Johnson said his company has found something else has happened to the customer. He said many customers who were in the market for a carriage house door, now find they can afford copper and have moved to that option, instead of the wood door, complete with less maintenance.

Martin Door Manufacturing recommends that a copper door be left in its natural state, so that it can age without the need for maintenance, according to Dave Martin, chairman of Martin Door Manufacturing.