Dull thread of the day internal doors and handles (60s house) on a budget. Any advice?

[Lelivre]

The flush teak ones which would be typical for the age don't appeal. I will go for painted and maybe shaker style? I still have the single panels of glass above the doors.

But quality wise what do I look for that is worth havjng (forever house) but still a modest spend of our funds?

I would appreciate any advice, I've never bought doors before and I know one thing the ones we have are cheap nasty hollow and dropping to bits.

[DoubleCarrick]

We bought our internal doors online from builder depot. And dh sings the praises of a website called ironmongery direct

[Spickle]

This company do lovely door handles - the ones we bought were half the price of B&Q and are twice the quality. Really happy with them (our builder recommended the company).

www.doorhandlecompany.co.uk/door-knobs/

[PigletJohn]

hollow doors are horrible.

Do you want flat (flush) doors or panelled doors, or "cottage" doors looking like they are made of planks?

Common internal doors are 35mm thick, and even if made of "wood" this is IMO rather flimsy.

My own preference is for 44mm fire doors, which are much heavier and more substantial, and good at blocking noise, which is particularly useful in bedrooms and bathrooms. Not everyone agrees with me. If you have a 3-story house or have a loft conversion, you will usually be required to have them. They may need a new door lining ("frame"). It may be relevant that I grew up in a large Edwardian house which had the original substantial panelled doors, so I have a taste for them.

I agree that IronmongeryDirect is a very good site for door furniture.

[PigletJohn]

btw if you want doorknobs (not lever handles) you will need a bigger backset on your latches, but that's a different topic.

[Lelivre]

Thanks for the messages.

Piglet (I was hoping I would see you ) we have no appetite for additional carpentry. How would I know about this... I'd like heavy doors too as these are soooooo nasty! I'm guessing a bit more soundproofed too. Coming from an open plan home I'm conscious of noise now and shutting it out.

So...Do I just have to measure the space where the door fits when closed where the latch and hinges sit to see what I can have?

[PigletJohn]

Doors are made in a wide variety of standard sizes, for a 1960's house, the size will be the least of your problems.

I quite like Premdor, have a look at their website, they are also sold as ownbrand by some of the sheds, but there are plenty of door companies around.

A competent carpenter or joiner can fitr doors much better and faster than a DIYer or handyman, so ask around. You will get discounts if you buy several.

I strongly recommend lift-off hinges, which make it much easier to take a door off and on with no tools required, for redecorating or shifting furniture or carpets. Heavy doors need three. Decide if you want chrome or brass door furniture. Some are in stainless, which may be PVD brass and doesn't seem to tarnish. Satin finish needs less cleaning than mirror.

[Lelivre]

These are the styles that are catching my eye...I will try to post pics

[Lelivre]

Premdor

[Lelivre]

Plainer

[Haggisfish]

Fab thread-thanks for starting!

[Lelivre]

Less dusting?

[Lelivre]

I need to consider some glazed or partially glazed internal ones that will match in ok.

If I want fire door quality without changing the door frame is it just the depth that is the consideration? Thanks!

[Lelivre]

Haggis - no problem! The pleasure is all mine

[tilder]

I used a website called knob and knocker for door furniture. Not sure I would Google it at work though...

Doors with panels do need dusting. They are lovely though.

[PigletJohn]

thickness and weight of fire doors is greater. The door lining will have a stop that the door closes against. If it is nailed on, you can prise it off and nail on a new one after hanging the new door, but a new lining is not expensive. Fine quality linings have it machined from the solid, a competent joiner might be able to rout it out deeper (this may be dusty).

You can also get moulded or veneered doors with a dense inner filling, but still 35mm thick. I have no experience of them.

Door frames and lining are often out of square, because the house has either subsided, or been disturbed during the 1939-45 Unpleasantness.

[Lelivre]

I've had a look at the linings and as they are in a continuous section right to the ceiling containing the glass panel and we also had the ceilings skimmed in the corridors. So I will check out these heavy duty 35mm doors when looking and report back if I get anywhere.

[Lelivre]

Any thoughts anyone has on decent handles that won't date I would appreciate as I have decision fatigue!

[PigletJohn]

Whatever is very fashionable today, will look very old fashioned next. I've heard that you can detect fake works of art and antiques once they are a few years old, because the eye notices features that were unobserved when new.

If you can find something in keeping with the house, it will tend to blend in. Unless it was the age of stuff your grandparents or parents had, when your taste will always find it unfashionable, though the next generation will consider it "period" or "antique".