Heritage Approved: hatch+parley opens the door to local fiberglass innovation

It started with a simple phone call. I wanted to know what Saint John Heritage Conservation had to say about colour specifications. That call turned into a conversation—about shades and tones; about materials that tell stories; about the way a door can frame more than just an entryway.

This illustrated guide was shared.

Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas Paint & Colour Guide

I figured that was the end of it. The doors I build here at hatch + parley are made of fiberglass, and I assumed they wouldn’t fit into the world of heritage conservation. 

I’ve never been happier to be wrong.

Over the next few weeks, I opened the doors—quite literally—of the hatch+parley showroom and shop to members of the conservation board. They walked the space, ran their hands over the textured grain, asked questions, and considered. In the end, they recognized something important:

• The authentic woodgrain and embossments hold the spirit of traditional craftsmanship.

• This option is considerably more affordable than custom wood, without compromising on beauty.

• Less maintenance, more longevity, and certified to current performance standards.

• Every door is custom-built here in Saint John—crafted with care, shaped by, for, and with the city that surrounds it.

• They liked my coffee.

Side note, I feel the commitment I conveyed to build on the legacy of Saint John in lieu of replacing it, resonated with the group. I geeked out with all the right people. From there, the board deliberated and recently voted to pre-approve the doors made here at hatch+parley!

Shown: Rodrigo Mendes Campos, Heritage Analyst, Growth & Community Services for the City Saint John

An Historic Decision

A question initiated a conversation, which continues as a relationship of shared purpose. On Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, the Heritage Development Board passed a motion:

“hatch+parley to be included on the Heritage pre-approved manufacturers’ list.”

For homeowners, this means City staff can now approve hatch+parley doors for street-facing elevations—so long as they respect the aspiration we all share: for steadfast commitment to the original design and architectural style. A smoother, faster process is the result. If you’re looking for something outside of traditional styles, you will still need board approval, but this opens up new possibilities for reimagining the spirit and purpose of restoration.

What Would the Doors Look Like?

Here are a few examples.

Heritage Grant Support

Honouring the story of a heritage home is a labour of love, and there’s help available. I can guide you through the grant application process:

• The Heritage Grant covers 25% of your conservation approved entry door renovation, up to a maximum of $7,500.

• If you live in the Old North End or on Douglas Avenue, the Beautification Grant covers 35% of the cost of improving exterior facades and yards, up to $4,000, or $6,000 for corner lots.
  

Let’s Talk Doors

If you’d like to learn more, call 506.719.5207 or email laura@hatchparley.com

Better yet, invite me over. Let’s talk about doors—the ones that stand strong against the wind, the ones that welcome people home, the ones that honour the past while looking toward the future. Book a time here that works for your life.

You don’t have to keep layering on coats of paint, hoping to keep the weather out. Let’s build something together that endures and evolves— just as does the city we cherish.

An Origin Story of Iconic Saint John Doors

Discovering the Murray & Gregory Sawmill.

Exploring the site where in 1846, a sawmill and kiln were formed to support local shipbuilding, city structures, and beautiful door builds

A new chapter of iconic doors has begun.

🤍🚪

Laura Weil hatch + parley