Can anyone help me choose a back door?

[virgiltracey]

Whilst we are on a serious economy drive we have to get a new back door since the old one is cracked and leaking. I'm stumped about style. At the moment its a very old single glazed door (all glass with a wooden frame). Very inefficient re insulation. I'm thinking wooden with some glass to let in light (but its only the utility room and so doesn't need to let in masses of light).

Can't decide what goes with the house. Can anyone help since I don't want to make the wrong decision! I've put a picture of the house on my profile (it shows the front and not the back but gives an idea of style)

Thanks!

can't see the photo I'm afraid?

Sorry! Think I've done it now. As you can see its a bit of a mishmash of styles!!

the door in question can be seen (just about!!) in the second picture. You can see the light coming through the door (the black door is just a gate)

Wow, what a fab house. Seems like you want something modern style rather than period-y. And probably white painted. Are your windows metal or wood framed?

Thanks! Takes a lot of upkeep though and at the moment we are very short on cash. Windows are crappy white upvc unfortunately. They will need replacing soon and I'd like to replace with wooden ones (if we can afford it!!).

The house is a complete mix of styles. From the back it looks really modern because of the large window into the playroom but from the front the previous owners have tried to make it more period looking. We've repainted all the shutters a sort of greyish green colour since these photos were taken which looks much nicer.

Do you think maybe just plain solid wood then? I saw some in wickes that were wooden but with four little glazed squares down the middle.

Yes I think that kind of thing would look fine - that sounds like it would have a slightly 30s feel which would fit fine with the house. BUT I'd paint it white TBH because it looks like all your windows are white - unless that is going to change shortly...

I'm glad you're looking at wood. Plastic doors are far more expensive, not as secure and look horrible

Go for a good solid one. I used hardwood "Alicante" style which is a fairly expensive one as it it has small panels and contains a lot of timber.

Look out for, and avoid, thin glazing bars, or a large panel in the bottom half made of thin ply or MDF whcih a burglar can kick through.

Remember to get a BS deadlock fitted, plus mortice rackbolts top and bottom (you will probably find your insurance co demands that anyway)

If you are likely to want to paint it yourself in future, consider lift-off hinges. They make it far easier and you will not need any skill to re-hang it afterwards.

Take particular care to paint the top and bottom of the door well. These are often neglected as they are awkward and don't show, but this is where damp gets in most.

Hanging a door and fitting locks takes skill (or a lot of time) so I would ask around for a local joiner. It might take him about half a day, or less if you have a modern doorframe in good condition and a standard size. If your old door is rather small, look carefully at any new one and the packing will say how much you can cut off each side - many doors today are veneered or made up, not solid, and can only be reduced by 6mm or so.

Sometimes you will find doors are cheaper at joinery or wood yards than at DIY sheds or Wickes. If you find a local joiner he will (should) know where to go.