Who's right? Me or DH? **** POLL ****.

[Spidermama]

We badly need a new front door on our Victorian terraced house as the old one is so warped it lets the air rush in.

We both want as nice a door as possible, in character with the house and the road, but need to keep costs as low as possible as we are broke as usual.

Here are the two sides and, in the name of impartiality, I won't yet reveal which is mine and which is his.

Argument 1. A reclaimed Victorian door would be the best idea as it will be cheaper, nicer and more in keeping.

Argument 2. A new door is the only way forward. An old door is too risky and likely to be just as warped as the one we're getting rid of.

Cast your votes please.

1

1 it will have done its waroing already and , if it has been properly "reclaimed" they will have checked that it is not warped beyond reasonable use already.

New reproductions are naff IMHO

[ducks to avoid stale bagels hurled by argument 2 voters]

1 Have just done ours and its lovely (but green)

Yes to red. I can't wait to ditch the bottle green. Also good advice about the frame grapefruit.

Noddy I so hoped you'd see this thread.

Noddy any advice about where I might source a decent Victorian front door?

A good carpenter can make even an old door weatherproof with strips etc

I got mine from the brighton wood project only a tenner!The carpenter tweaked it a bit but it was v sound and a good match size wise.Also not sure if you have room but I bought a second door and had that fiteted inside to make a small cloaks area and it is great for draughts and didn't cost £

Ours is lovely, and original, but I really think it's warped beyond repair. I wonder if it's because it is waxed on the inside and painted on the outside. It curves right in at the bottom leaving a gap of almost an inch and the issue has been brought into sharp focus since we now only have a wood-fired Rayburn to heat the radiators.

I so love the original door. There are still several others the same on the road so I feel bad for changing it but we have to keep warm.

Do you come in off the street straight into a room or do you have a long hall?

A short hall then the sitting room door is 38 inches in.

I'd go with option 1, get it fitted really well (and adjusted as needed) and add a lined door curtain to help keep the warmth in.

And I'd probably paint it black, one of the smartest colours for a Victorian door.

2 - I doubt you'll find an original that's cheaper in decent nick. I couldn't when we needed one a few eyars ago in London. We refurbished the existing one instead. Other places may have cheaper architectural salvage places than London, though.

Could you put a stud wall and internal door there to create a vacuum and keep your old door?We have done that and its worked well.Or a lovely thermal curtain

New door. Doubt a reclaimed Victorian one would be cheap TBH.

We're having a carpenter come to fix our warped windows to fit - listed building so not much choice! - if you could get a specialist joiner who is used to re-working existing doors / windows, I wonder if this would actually work out cheapest and best fitting? The conservation officers at your local council may well have a list of appropriate joiners.

1 1 1 1. are multiple entries allowed?

Definately 1. If you are on a tight budget, a new door will look like a modern reproduction and will likely have a knock-on affect on the saleability/ value of your house. Good luck!

No1 for me

(now I'll go and read the thread to see who said 1 and who said 2)

1

2

No 1.

I like the idea of no 1 but am averse to hassle, so no. 2.

2