Would you get rid of a (boring) original Victorian door?

[AntiHop]

We live in a Victorian terrace. We have a wooden door which I believe is original. It's really nothing special, no stained glass windows or other nice features.

After lockdown, we were hoping to replace it with one with better security, and better heat and sound insulation. That would really help keep the house warmer in winter.

But it feels wrong getting rid of an original feature.

Wwyd?

Photo needed to assess

Perhaps use it indoors? Or make aomething creative out of it.

Hi Anti,

The benefits of a new door do sound good, but there are ways of improving the door you have.

There is a lot to be said for a door that has been in place for over a hundred years (and hopefully can be improved!)

As elephant says, a photo would help. Looking forward to seeing it.

No

Probably not, no. Unless it was actually insecure.

I'd get rid of it but I'd keep it. Think of all those people who touched it!

Noooo!

Need a piccy!!

I wouldn't. It adds value and is a piece of the house's history. Just fix it up.

I wouldn't, though, if you must, ebay it.

I wouldn't

If its original please dont just get rid. A new similar door could cost a fortune. Is it in good condition.

Agree would need to see it to make any meaningful comment.
I'm loathe to get rid of good quality original features but broken shit sometimes just needs to go.
Our original victorian solid wood front door was in a sorry state when we moved in but due to its size a replacement, any replacement was going to be upwards of £2000 so I spoke to the amazing joiner who made our very cool timber sashes and he rehung it, gave it a new weather bar at the bottom and we painted it and added new locks and ironmongery and it's very grand as well as being extremely solid, the new locks make it very secure

Forgot to mention we also draught stripped the door when it was rehung and so it was thermally much better

Our house had two original front doors and for twelve years I refused to let DH replace one of them because it was original. No matter what we did, the wind howled through it, when it rained the water leaked in, the paint peeled off it and it wasn't very secure. Finally I gave in last year and we replaced one with a sympathetic-to-the-house composite door. It has made such a difference.

Bear in mind that if you get a UPVC door, you really need to specify 3 security euro locks (the standard ones are easy to break in to) and 2 security handles (much tougher than standard and they shield the lock).

To be honest though, if I had an original wooden door, I'd just pay to have it upgraded with new locks installed and some draft exclusion around the door frame.

(above lock advice also applies to composite doors which most doors are now, basically UPVC doors with wood or metal inside them for added security & insulation)

No

I would recommend measuring it first before deciding. We took our daughter's victorian door off her bedroom and had to have a new one made by hand, apparently older doors are wider than modern.

If you think it’s not very secure, and it’s nothing special, then yes, I’d get replace it.
We replaced the original Edwardian front door (again nothing special) of a maisonette that was being renovated after a bloke working next door warned me that that type of door could be kicked in within seconds.
It was in dire need of painting anyway. We replaced it with a much more secure and very nice looking composite.

The Victorians had a lot of crap features like any era. I replaced my original front door that was 140 years old. It actually was very nice but it was split in two and people (ok, me) aren't as slim as back then so had to open both sides to get through comfortably. But not to worry as soon as it came off some one asked of they could take it. So perhaps just give yours to a reclamation centre (when possible).

If your property is Listed you can’t just replace it can you?

Not all original features are worth keeping. If the door isn’t keeping your house secure & draught free then it’s pretty pointless. I’m sure the victorians some shitty doors too.

If you do replace it, a wooden door is always best. You can spot composite a mile off, a plastic door will last 30 years (and look naff for the duration) a good wooden door will last 130, same goes for windows.

Pic please!