(London) Victorian/Period Solid Wood Front Door

jussterr

Does anyone know of a good company who could provide me with a quote for a pretty bog standard 6 panel solid softwood front door? The property is an early Victorian affair in a Georgian regency style. I assume softwood is slightly cheaper and I'd like to paint or have it painted. It's important to me that it should look authentic and in keeping with the rest of the exterior as the house is in a conservation area.

My quote from London Door Company was through the roof ridiculous. :T

Help and suggestions much appreciated! I am not against the idea of having a carpenter do the work and getting my builder to install it while we renovate.

phill99

Whereabouts in London are you based?

MX5huggy

I would source a second hand one from a reclamation yard.

jussterr

I am based in Bow, E3. We have not moved in yet so I can't say exactly how big I am guessing around 80cmx190cm.

I would rather get a new one than reclaim from a salvager's unless someone can advise me on who to contact to get the door painted, accessorised and fitted? A joiner, builder or carpenter presumably?

leveller2911

If you do have one specially made don't go for softwood, pay a bit extra and go for a decent hardwood like Sapele,Iroko or Idigbo.

Just out of interest how much was the quote you were given? A photo would help to give you an accuarte idea of price.

Reclaimed doors are notorious for being warped,twisted and the wrong size for 95% of the time.

jussterr

Can hardwood be painted or do people not want to paint them because they're more expensive?

Quote was just under 5k.

jussterr

Shameless bump.

leveller2911

jussterr wrote: »

Can hardwood be painted or do people not want to paint them because they're more expensive?

Quote was just under 5k.

Hardwoods such as Sapele,Idigbo and Iroko can be painted,it can be a shame to paint Sapele if it has attractive grain.

Quote was for £5k :eek:.

Thats amazingly high, I think the most expensive Oak door I've ever made and fitted was under £2,200-00

I was chatting to a customer today who mentioned the company you stated and they said how expensive they were, I'm afraid your being quoted "London prices" think of a figure,treble it and add some more...

lostinrates

Re London prices, our London architect has been floored by the out of London prices...too expensive. We had a few SE firms quote for our jobs.

Re hardwood doors, I am having some made up right now, and we are painting them.

Sikkens brand paint has been particularly recommended by the joiner as it lasts longer. (I understand the estimate for lasting time is ten years).

I cannot remember how much our doors are costing and am away from the paper work, but do not believe any of our doors are costing that much. About what leveller is saying I think.

leveller2911

I made and fitted the one below including frame and Gallows brackets for £1800 +vat.. I guess these companies must get the work, maybe I'm too cheap...:rotfl:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55385455@N04/7273778960/

leveller2911

lostinrates wrote: »

Sikkens brand paint has been particularly recommended by the joiner as it lasts longer. (I understand the estimate for lasting time is ten years).

I cannot remember how much our doors are costing and am away from the paper work, but do not believe any of our doors are costing that much. About what leveller is saying I think.

Second LIR, Sikkens in general make some good finishes.For staining doors,windows etc I use Sikkens Cetol Filter 7.......Most paint cycles tend to be 5yrs or so .