Before garage doors became sleek and silent, they were grand, grounded, and built by hand. Carriage house garage doors echo that legacy—evoking the days of horse-drawn wagons, wood-planked doors, and hand-forged ironwork that did more than just look good. It lasted.

Today, whether you’re designing a new build with historic charm or upgrading a standard roll-up door, you can bring back that carriage house look—and the secret lies in the details. Here's how to do it right with authentic-looking wrought iron hardware from Old West Iron.

1. Start with the Door Style

To get the look of a classic carriage house, you’ll want to start with the right base.

Look for:

• Side-by-side double doors (or roll-up doors made to look like them)

• Vertical planking or V-groove panels

• Arched tops or divided light windows

• Wood grain or wood-tone finishes (real or faux)

While modern convenience often calls for overhead doors, these can still mimic traditional swing-out carriage doors—and that’s where decorative hardware plays a key role.

2. Add XL Faux Hinge Straps for a Historic Feel

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Nothing sells the illusion of carriage doors quite like strap hinges—even if your door rolls up. Our extra-large faux hinge straps are crafted with traditional styling, rugged scale, and a handcrafted feel that looks real because it almost is.

Made from solid steel with hammered finishes and decorative mounting hardware, these straps instantly turn a modern door into a rustic statement piece.

Pro tip: Use them at the top, bottom, or centerline to create the appearance of functional swing-out doors.

3. Install a Decorative Door Pull or Ring Handle

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Once your hinges are in place, finish the look with a center-mounted door pull or iron ring handle. Even on a roll-up garage door, these pieces add historic authenticity and bold visual weight.

• Door pulls add symmetry, functionality, and a handcrafted anchor point at eye level.

• Ring pulls or knockers nod to medieval and colonial design—great for adding personality and texture.

Every piece in our collection is crafted in the USA from solid wrought iron, available in finishes like black powder coat, oil-rubbed bronze, and natural waxed steel.

4. Match the Hardware to Your Home’s Style

To pull the whole look together, coordinate your garage door hardware with other elements on your home’s exterior:

• Iron door knockers on your front entry

• Matching cabinet or gate hardware

• Wrought iron light fixtures, address numbers, or shutters

• Timber accents, stonework, or rustic siding

This consistency makes your home feel timeless and curated—not cobbled together.

5. Get the Look Without Sacrificing Convenience

Even if your garage doors are modern, insulated, and on an opener, you can still achieve a true carriage house aesthetic. Our faux hinge straps and decorative pulls are surface-mounted, lightweight, and compatible with standard garage doors.

Want to go further? We offer custom sizes, finishes, and fasteners so your hardware doesn’t just fit—it belongs.

Why Details Like These Matter

At Old West Iron, we believe that character is built from the ground up—and the front of your home is no place to cut corners. When you choose American-made, hand-forged hardware, you’re not just adding decoration. You’re anchoring your home in craftsmanship, legacy, and authenticity.

Get started today with handcrafted hardware made to stand the test of time.
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Maddison Mellem
Writing from the forge at Old West Iron