From raw wood selection to final installation. A guided tour of the steps that turn a plank into an architectural door.
Every manufacturing step takes place under one roof. No subcontracting, no external transfer. The wood comes in raw and leaves fully finished. This complete control of the process lets MICHELENA guarantee consistent quality and a level of customization industrial manufacturers cannot offer. As an RBQ license holder, the workshop meets the industry’s most demanding standards.
Planks are selected for grain quality, absence of defects and tone compatibility. The wood then goes through the kiln to reach a stable moisture content of 6% to 8%, suited to Quebec interior conditions.
Computer-numerical-control machines cut pieces to the exact dimensions of the technical drawing. Panels, stiles, rails and moldings are profiled to a tenth-of-an-inch precision.
Pieces are assembled by mortise-and-tenon, dowels or biscuits depending on the configuration. Gluing is done under hydraulic press to ensure perfectly tight and durable joints.
For doors that require it, panels are carved by hand or by CNC. Stained glass is custom-made and integrated into the frame with lead or zinc joints. Decorative wrought iron is installed at this step.
Finishing and quality control determine the durability and final appearance of the product. These steps take place in a controlled environment to eliminate imperfections.
Stain, varnish or lacquer applied in a controlled-environment booth, with strictly regulated temperature and humidity. Every component of the door is finished individually before final assembly, with multiple coats and intermediate sanding ensuring a perfectly smooth and stable surface. This methodology guarantees optimal structural stability of the finished product. Since wood is a living material that expands and contracts over time, our approach ensures that every piece, down to the smallest element, is perfectly finished before being assembled, securing the integrity and durability of the whole.
The workshop runs industrial equipment rarely assembled in an artisanal door manufacturer.
The visit triggers the same five questions from every visitor. Manufacturing time, drying, hand carving, finish application, access conditions. The answers, as explained on site.
Manufacturing a MICHELENA door generally takes between 6 and 8 weeks, depending on model complexity and chosen options (carving, stained glass, custom finishes). This window covers manufacturing only, excluding design and delivery.
Always. The wood goes through the kiln to reach a moisture content of 6% to 8%. This controlled drying eliminates the risks of deformation, cracking and excessive movement after installation.
Both. Standard profiles are made by CNC for precision and repeatability. Complex moldings, carvings and finishing details are worked by hand by our artisans.
In a controlled-environment booth. Temperature and humidity are regulated to ensure optimal adhesion and drying. Multiple coats of stain, varnish or lacquer are applied, with intermediate sanding between each coat.
Yes. The workshop welcomes visitors by appointment Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is the chance to see the machines, the artisans at work and the doors under construction.
Book a visit to the St-Eustache workshop. See the machines, touch the species and exchange with the artisans who build the doors.
The whole MICHELENA team is taking a well-deserved break.
To mark the construction holidays, we will be closed from 17 July to 2 August.
We look forward to seeing you again on 3 August to continue working on your projects.
Thank you for your trust, and have a great holiday!
