Preserving The Past At Perry County Courthouse

When Perry County set out to renovate its 130-year-old courthouse, preserving its historic character was non-negotiable. But modern building codes and the realities of an aging structure required thoughtful solutions. Rockwood partnered with the project’s commercial builder, lead carpenter, and architect to bring new life to the courthouse doors—maintaining the building’s dignity while preparing it for decades to come.

Our team spent days on site with the lead carpenter and builder, laser-templating the openings to account for the settling that occurs over a century of Ohio seasons. Each door had to fit the existing masonry precisely while transitioning from inswing to outswing to meet current egress codes.

Made from Ribbon Sapele, a durable and stable choice for exterior doors, each unit was constructed with exterior adhesives and coatings to ensure longevity. Some of the doors reached 9 and even 10 feet tall, which required close coordination with the architect to determine the correct pushbar height and customize the hardware accordingly. Several doors also included electrified hardware, which meant integrating a concealed chase within the door to route power where it was needed. The concealed vertical rod hardware maintained a traditional appearance while providing modern security—a detail that required collaboration with the architect to ensure compatibility with wood construction.

In the end, the goal was clear: respect the past while building for the future. For Rockwood, it meant bringing craftsmanship, problem-solving, and field collaboration together to ensure these doors will serve the courthouse and its community for generations.