Have you installed a new front door recently?

[MrsSnarget]

I need your help please.

What sort of door did you choose and where did you buy it from?

It's for a 1950s house, so not a period property. It currently has a cheap wooden Victorian-styled panel door so I'm also wondering what style would best suit a 1950's mock Tudor?

Is it possible to get a composite door without the distinctive wood grain effect?

Thanks

[quote Crazzzycat]@SwedishEdith, we also had a new door frame put in, plus a side window. The total cost for all that, plus locks, getting the whole thing painted and fitted etc was £3k.

It’s not cheap, but I’m fairly certain that with the occasional repaint, it will look a lot better in a few decades time than the flimsy UPVC door it replaced.[/quote]
Thanks. Kind of in line with a quote we got about 5 years ago. I definitely want wood.

www.rocksoliddoors.co.uk/content/english-cottage l used these that seem to be affiliated with Solidor. I got the black composite style for front door and anthracite stable door style for the rear which is handy when you have pets or want to let out steam from cooking. The finish is not shiny - more like satin wood sheen. I was doubtful as does cost a bit but the fitting is probably one of the most important factors and you want security and durability whatever the weather so worth it. Also you can choose different colour frame to contrast or even different colour inside versus outside. Money well spent for me.

I have hardwood wooden doors, but, if exposed to the weather, paint is more durable than varnish or stain. Hence my questions about porches.

Oak doors are oiled, not varnished, and are supposed to look somewhat weatherbeaten.

A local joiner can make a door to order, and most likely will have done it during his training, it will make a welcome break from installing factory-made doors.

@terminallysleepdeprived

Sorry but there's no link to click?

A local joiner can make a door to order, and most likely will have done it during his training, it will make a welcome break from installing factory-made doors.

They can, but charge about £1500 for it. (I'm still trying to get quotes that don't make me faint for a front door and surround.) I'd definitely go for wood over composite though. My neighbour's looks quite bad now close up and it's at least 14 years old.

I had a recommendation from a friend for a local but well established company. Mine was composite, in duck egg and I designed the side and top windows and the pretend stained glass. It was a thing of beauty and I paid £1.5k