Has anyone installed a new front door into a 1920s house -one in keeping with the age of the hous??

[SwedishEdith]

Where did you get it from and was it very expensive to install? I don't want to get an original from eBay as too worried about draughtiness and condition etc. So I'd like a hardwood one I can paint. Any good places online where I could get one? Thanks

We sometimes use this lot at work www.russelltimbertech.co.uk good company and will manufacture doors with the frames to your opening and pre finished in hardwood and to secure by design. Based up in Glasgow but service the uk. Bare in mind your front door opening will proberly have check reveals( frame sits behind the outer skin of brickwork/render) which means unlike a new house the frame size needs to be measured from the internal brickwork skin.

Thanks for that - will look at link when not on phone.

Anyone else done this?

The new people opposite me have just done this, and have new double doors on the garage, instead of up and over as well. I think that this is becoming more popular now and I have seen several showrooms stocking them here in surrey.

We have a 1930s house and like you, wanted the look but without the potentially dodgy old timber. Found this. Bought and is fab. www.todd-doors.co.uk/external-doors/red-hardwood/pattern-664-unglazed-7380.aspx

That's a nice door - and a good price! I'm confused about whether I have to get solid hardwood or whether a mix of hardwoods and veneers is all I need.

Something like this www.doordeals.co.uk/products/external-doors/glazed-external-doors/hardwood-external-brierley.aspx?mt=hardwood&sort=asc is nice but not the price

I would get an original from a salvage yard and then get a joiner to draft proof the frame properly. You can get them for around £100 at my local yard.

Plus it would likely be hardwood. You can get the stained glass panel cleaned/replaced/double glazed. It will look loads better than those nasty reproduction ones. And cost a fraction of the price.

Yes, I've a look at some originals on Ebay - some nice ones (and some pretty shabby ones!). We need the surround as well. I'm just going to have to contact some joiners and get advice, I think.

Would steer clear of eBay and go somewhere you can see them in person. They will all need some work so the shabby ones are not really any worse. Most important thing about seeing them is to make sure there is no warping. Original door furniture on them looks fabulous once they're all tarted up and painted. A joiner will be able to do amazing things by making a door surround and putting effective draught proofing.