The openings for tipis were mostly just a slit where the two sides came together and the door cover could have been an old piece of leather or fur to keep out the weather.  As time went on, you would see the more tailored or rounded door opening.  This also brought about the rawhide covers with the colorful paintings. "U" shape Cheyenne doors have the lines of bead work or just the more rectangular material door with beaded lanes.  Today there are some very tailored doors and openings meant to keep out the worst of rains. Many have special flaps to keep water from running between the door and cover.   Pictures are of different styles, makers and time periods.  When remembered, owners and makers are given.  Owners names are in bold print and makers are in Italics.

Cheyenne

Larry Belitz/Belitz Quilled by Ravenshead

 Frank Ward/Holley

Swindle/Holley

Door knockers

Flaps over the door-Holley/Holley

Holley /Wood tipi

Design on a door

So much for the Cross Sticks

Arrow tipis-Africa

Rawhide door-Durkin by Brewers

Historic

Cheyenne-Denver Museum

 Door is just a piece of cloth or blanket pushed to the side.

Sioux-1899

Darry Wood tipi made for Rick Patterson

Four Winds Trading Co.

Flaps above door opening. These go over the door itself to shed rain and keep the water from inside.

Wood-Wood

Darry Wood tipis come with a very tailored opening and door. 

Crow tipis-notice doors

Crow-Curtis

Nomadics

Nomadics doors

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Notice door on tipi.

Arapaho

White Buffalo Lodges

Shelters Unlimited in the UK.

Nomadics