internal doors white or wood look?

[amess]

doing house improvements and wondering what doors to go for. Wanted to go for expensive wooden doors but after seeing the costs am thinking far too expensive and will they still look as good on the eye in a few years time or will I tire of them. Any opinions? Eventually hoping they will add to the house for possible prospective buyers.

[ladyasriel]

it totally depends on the style of everything else - have seen very modern properties (even in a classical style) looking good with walnut doors for example whereas a period house looks good with painted white doors with all but the most contemporary of interiors. SO long as it's a relatively classic style painted is fine IMO.

[amess]

Thanks.

House is very ordinary. Nothing special apart from it's mine. Love period properties but it's ordinary 70s house and don't want to do anything naff so trying not to pretend anything special ie it is what it is no mock grandness.

[Beamur]

I'm going to lurk as have an interest in this...
Have had doors stripped in a cottagey/northern terrace, but am not convinced and wonder if they would look better painted..

[amess]

Beamur I thought it would be the type of question to get lots of interest maybe people don't really notice doors.

Thanks for your response ladyasreil
Anyone else got an opinion? Especially those house-hunting or who like looking at houses?

[RunsWithScissors]

We have just bought old 1930s doors on eBay to replace cheap hollow-core ones throughout our place.

We are going to have them dipped and leave them unpainted (will oil or wax them).

I think that as lOng as the wood is nice, it's fine not to paint. I see it to be the same as wood flooring.

[nocake]

I prefer a simple 4 or 6 panel door in white or off-white. It looks clean and straightforward. We have stained wood doors in our 1860's cottage which works but I would still rather they were painted.

[RunsWithScissors]

Of course White doors look good too (not much help am I ?)

The only issue with getting new White doors is ensuring they match the White of the frames/skirtings. I find it annoying when they are different whites to each other... but I might be a bit anal alone on that :o

[crazynanna]

You know thoses white wooden 4/6 panelled doors that are solid enough not to let a teenager's foot to go through,but not flash enough to make my bank manager reach for his inhaler....who stocks them at a good price?

[Beamur]

I think if the door is right - then you don't notice it, but if it is wrong, for me at least it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The doors in the house mentioned were painted and had been boarded up (looked really awful) but had the promise of perhaps there being something underneath, but having had them stripped and waxed and new handles put on, they actually look a bit drab and I'm tempted to paint them, but it seems hellish to do that considering how much time, energy and money it cost to get them the way they are.

[wasabipeanut]

We inherited reclaimed old wooden inner doors in our Victorian house when we moved in. They look a bit scruffy but I like them - they have ceramic doorknobs and finger plates (some patterned) and they fit the general look of the house.

I always think more modern houses suit painted doors but don't let my prejudices sway you!

[RedorLead]

We have a sixties house, we choose heavy flush fire doors, painted white with good quality handles. Think victorian period features applied to a modern build has a tendancy to look apologetic and very naff.

[amess]

Totally agree RedorLead and that is why I'm wondering about just going for basic white doors but wondered if splashing out on solid wood in oak/similar would look better and at least be a help in selling when it comes to it. Crazynana I keep thinking that's what I need, something that will wear well as to who stocks them at a good price that's my other problem.

[LaTristesse]

I think it can depend on the light in the hosue too - if the hallway is quite dark I think wooden doors can make things gloomier, while painted white ones would lift things a bit. Depends also on the door, if they're nice panelled ones, wooden is lovely - we had some stripped in a 30's semi and they looked ace.