Laminex doors

The 1923 Laminex Doors catalog was published by the Wheeler, Osgood Company of Tacoma, Washington. During the early 20th century, the Pacific Northwest was a primary hub for the lumber industry, and this publication served as a technical showcase for the company's proprietary Laminex manufacturing process. This method involved cross-graining layers of wood to prevent the warping and shrinking that often plagued standard solid-wood doors of the era, reflecting the period's growing interest in industrial standardization and residential durability.

The catalog design emphasizes the marriage of engineering innovation and domestic architecture prevalent in the 1920s. It was aimed primarily at architects, contractors, and home builders, providing them with technical specifications and visual references for various door styles suitable for the era's expanding suburban housing market. By highlighting the durability of their bonded construction, the Wheeler, Osgood Company successfully positioned their product as a premium, reliable solution for modern home construction, earning a reputation for quality that lasted well into the mid-century period.