Where to start looking for a new front door

dander

I want to replace my front door with something nice and in-keeping with the age of my house - a 1920s cottage - instead of the nasty plastic thing I have at the moment. I'm not sure where to start looking. Obviously if I wanted nasty plastic I could go to a double glazing company, but I don't! I've looked at a few composite ranges online, but they seem very limited in style choice for older properties. I'd be happy with a new wooden door, but would prefer not to get reclaimed because I'd really want to go somewhere where they could do the measuring and ordering and fitting of the door, so there's nothing I can balls up!

Can anyone advise where I should be looking?

cherydee

Have a look at Solidor, our door is Art Deco in style, it's a black Ludlow door with heavy black and white glass squares.

Furts

Premdor and Jeldwen are two long established large UK timber door companies who IIRR manufacture in the UK. Others like XL Joinery and JB Kind import timber doors. These are available from the big builders merchants so ask around - each merchant will tend to be tied to a particular supplier.

These companies do not supply and fit, and if you order a made to measure door I suspect this will be pricy and may not be even be manufactured.

"In the good old days" doors were to stock sizes - they did not come made to measure. Then the carpenter would use a saw and a plane, plus a hammer and chisel. His skills would ensure that the door fitted - skills that do not exist with pvcu and composite doors. Now we have fitters - it is called progress but the reality is that these doors have de-skilled a trade and left numerous consumers with doors that are absolute swines to adjust and fit.

onomatopoeia99

Carpenters still exist, of course. My uncle, was one before retirement. Being self employed, he often had a little note up in the window of the local newsagent advertising his services if between big contracts. It may be a bit "old school" but that might be a place to start looking, or if you get a local / parish newsletter with adverts you could try that - plenty of self-employed tradespeople don't have websites.

I had a completely out of keeping steel door made to measure in Germany for my 1950s bungalow. Couldn't be happier with it, even though it cost over a month's wages..

dander

Furts, that's just why I was thinking I'd get a company to do the whole thing from measuring to installation - I just don't want to take the risk of misunderstanding what size I need and spending a huge amount of money on something that doesn't fit and can't be made to fit. Especially since I'd need the frame replacing as well, since the current one is plastic like the door.

dander

Thanks cherydee, I just had a browse of Solidor, but there's nothing suitable for my house there :-(

Furts

dander wrote: »

Furts, that's just why I was thinking I'd get a company to do the whole thing from measuring to installation - I just don't want to take the risk of misunderstanding what size I need and spending a huge amount of money on something that doesn't fit and can't be made to fit. Especially since I'd need the frame replacing as well, since the current one is plastic like the door.

But my point is that you ask a local carpenter - one with skills and tools to take on this role. They measure the door and either you or they buy it. They may even make one for you to your requirements - there are still men in sheds who do this. This is what happened "in the good old days" before plastic fitters morphed into existence and took over! This is what the other good poster is telling you in answer to your post - well done onomatopoeia99.

dander

Ah, right, no I didn't understand that either of you were saying that. I hadn't realised front doors were something people could completely make from scratch.

dander

Thanks for all your companies listed, Furt. Can you believe out of all of those, still no simple traditional pre-war style doors. Still everything is very modern or victorian/georgian. Amazing when you think how many houses in this country are pre-war. What a gap in the market!

ed110220

dander wrote: »

Thanks for all your companies listed, Furt. Can you believe out of all of those, still no simple traditional pre-war style doors. Still everything is very modern or victorian/georgian. Amazing when you think how many houses in this country are pre-war. What a gap in the market!

I have the same problem. 1940s house, originally had a simple one pane above/one panel below half glazed door that would have been painted an attractive colour. Currently have a grotesquely moulded and fake leaded light white PVC thing.

Ed

Furts

dander wrote: »

Thanks for all your companies listed, Furt. Can you believe out of all of those, still no simple traditional pre-war style doors. Still everything is very modern or victorian/georgian. Amazing when you think how many houses in this country are pre-war. What a gap in the market!

No it is not quite what you think. I have steered you in the direction of a builders merchant, and definitely not a DIY shed. The merchants, in particular those with local knowledge, will source you anything. There are two joinery shops about 2-4 miles from me ideally suited to meet your requirements and these, plus numerous others, are used by the builders merchants.

When Wolseley was a proper independent builders merchant a couple of years ago there were excellent people who could source me ... you name it all made to my requirements - and these may not have gone through a Wolseley Account - if you get my drift!