Need secure, traditional front door

[Deep]

Hi

I need to replace the front door as it's knackered. The house is Edwardian but the original door actually looks more '1920s' in style. I'd like the new door to look as similar to the existing one as possible. I'd also like to install some glazing that matches existing glazing, I already know of a company that would make this for me.

Security is very important and so I'm sceptical of doors that are just filled with foam.

I've looked at Solidor as they have a wooden slab inside the door for added security. However I've read a number of on line reviews that state that the door has warped. I'm assuming this is down to the two dissimilar materials used and their different expansion characteristics

I've looked at Rock doors (they use carbon fibre inside the door for strength) but they don't allow bespoke glazing.

I've had a quick look at Banham doors (no idea of cost though) but there is page after page of negative reviews on their after sales support. Too many to ignore and write off as just being unreasonable nutters. Btw, they use a sheet of steel inside the door for additional security.

I've considered getting a joiner to produce one in timber but can't seem to find one.

I'd be happy to have hard wood timber or a well produced 'timber effect' composite door. I just don't want the latter to be just foam filled with nothing else to add strength.

I'm in London/Home counties, any suggestions or recommendations would be gratefully received.

Thanks for looking.

[JackReacher]

We are going through a similar process to try an replace our 1930's style door. We looked at a Rockdoor this weekend, but wasn't particularly impressed with the fake wood effect finish.

They also had some from the English Door company (we looking at a Boxmoor model), which look much more authentic than the Rockdoor. I'm having trouble with finding more info on the actual construction from a security perspective, but it felt very solid and secure. They do a lot of glass but not sure if it can be customised. Edit ; the website says they do custom glass

[jason61c]

I'd find a decent small company and have a proper solid wood door made.

[Croutons]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...

[hyphen]

jason61c said:

I'd find a decent small company and have a proper solid wood door made.

+1 Will be much cheaper, alternatively you can use the bigger companies such as http://www.londondoor.co.uk or http://www.cotswood-doors.co.uk

Also if not aware, you can get London bars/Birmingham bars and hing bolts to make a bit more robust.

JackReacher said:

We are going through a similar process to try an replace our 1930's style door. We looked at a Rockdoor this weekend, but wasn't particularly impressed with the fake wood effect finish.

I looked at composite doors and didn't like the look and feel so bought a salvage door and restored it instead. Wood Effect always puzzles me, as once you have sanded a door to a glass like feel and painted it with multiple coats no grain can be seen.

Edited by hyphen on Monday 24th April 10:25

[Deep]

JackReacher said:

We are going through a similar process to try an replace our 1930's style door. We looked at a Rockdoor this weekend, but wasn't particularly impressed with the fake wood effect finish.

They also had some from the English Door company (we looking at a Boxmoor model), which look much more authentic than the Rockdoor. I'm having trouble with finding more info on the actual construction from a security perspective, but it felt very solid and secure. They do a lot of glass but not sure if it can be customised. Edit ; the website says they do custom glass

Hi

A couple of years ago I had all my windows replaced with Evolution Storm, these are made by the same company as the English Door company. As a result I'm familiar and happy with their aesthetics and quality but agree with you that their website lacks any detail about the construction or security features.

Cheers

[Deep]

jason61c said:

I'd find a decent small company and have a proper solid wood door made.

That's the problem, I can't seem to find one.

[Deep]

hyphen said:

I looked at composite doors and didn't like the look and feel so bought a salvage door and restored it instead. Wood Effect always puzzles me, as once you have sanded a door to a glass like feel and painted it with multiple coats no grain can be seen.

Edited by hyphen on Monday 24th April 10:25

Thanks. I took your suggestion and popped into Cotswood as they are close by. Absolutely lovely looking doors but they said that for what I wanted the price would start from £4k! It would be more if I wanted Banham locks etc. That's pretty damn pricey.

Anyway, I've got their surveyor coming around on Wednesday for a proper quote but I suspect that it's going to end up at over £4.5k...and that just feels like too much.

[hyphen]

Deep said:

Thanks. I took your suggestion and popped into Cotswood as they are close by. Absolutely lovely looking doors but they said that for what I wanted the price would start from £4k! It would be more if I wanted Banham locks etc. That's pretty damn pricey.

Anyway, I've got their surveyor coming around on Wednesday for a proper quote but I suspect that it's going to end up at over £4.5k...and that just feels like too much.

Haggle hard in that case, and you may want to park the m5 a few streets away

This company is cheaper but supply only I think http://www.thestainedglassdoorscompany.com There are also some joinery companies operating via ebay who will be able to make up any design you want, eg. CJD http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Edwardian-6-panel-front-...

I got a stained glass door from ebay for a couple of hundred as needed a fair bit of work. Fitted banham locks myself along with their furniture (knocker/doorknob/letterbox). Locks are their own, but the furniture I think Banham buy in from http://www.samuel-heath.co.uk

Edited by hyphen on Monday 24th April 18:23

[wibble cb]

Another vote for salvage....I got this one for 600 bucks from a place called the door store (UK must have similar!)

I cut the door to fit:




found a period lockset and fitted it myself:






Solid Oak and weighs a ton....bevelled glass in the windows, our house is also Edwardian, I think it suits it quite well.

Edited by wibble cb on Tuesday 25th April 05:35

[Deep]

I wouldn't need to go to salvage as I could just use my existing door. The issue is security and insulation.

I suspect those locks you have would let go with a gentle nudge. And like yours mine is single glazed, bad for security and insulation. You could probably break that glass with a gentle tap and reach in to open the night latch in under 30 seconds.

I've looked at just adding new locks etc but the door and frame have been drilled quite a few times already so I'm not sure how well that would work.

Yours looks great btw but I reckon that if I just refurbed my existing door the issues of security and insulation would not be addressed.

Thanks

Edited by Deep on Tuesday 25th April 09:43

[megaphone]

My composite door is built like a tank, weighed a ton when we fitted it, multipoint locks and toughened double glazed panels. Can't see anyone getting through it easily. It's a Citadel door from http://www.directtradeltd.co.uk/composite-doors/ Not sure if they do one that suits your design criteria though.

[Rosscow]

To give you a rough idea, we've just manufactured and installed the following bespoke door:



57mm thick door
92 x 70mm frame sections
Door and frame in Accoya, door cill in Sapele
Insulated raised and fielded panels
24mm 1.0 U-Value toughened obscure units - door has stained and leaded glass to customers own design
Winkhaus heritage multipoint autolock
Brisant Ultion 3 Star Diamond Sold Secure Euro Cylinder
2 Colour finish (blue external, white internal)

Cost, £3390.00 inc VAT.

East Sussex.

[wibble cb]

3300 gbp, for a door ???

[mangos]

It also depends on if your door will be heavily weathered.

We have an Edwardian house and wanted to upgrade the security and insulation of our door.

I work at a joiners but chose a rockdoor.

Rockdoor was cheaper than what I could get an accoya door done for at cost. Very happy with it despite it not being real wood.

Is made a huge difference to sound and warmth

[hyphen]

Reading his post, Rosscow has done door + frame + installation. And customer has bumped the price as the spec is high - Leaded stained glass which was probably supplied by a small specialist company, etched fanlight glass, accoya which I imagine is more expensive than natural wood. and then the painting which I imagine was sprayed. All adds up.

Handmade one-offs will always cost more than a composite which are probably more efficiently created out in factories.

I think it has to be looked at as an investment, it is one of the most visible parts of a homes kerb appeal and will be there long after you are gone. You will be inches away from it at least twice a day when you leave and it will bring a smile to your face.

Shame customer hasn't gone for square panels on top so more similar to the neighbours though, and the knocker a bit higher so same height as next door.

I like it when you see entire streets with the matching doors.

Edited by hyphen on Tuesday 25th April 19:11

[brianashley]

[quote=wibble cb]3300 gbp, for a door ???


[/quoteNo, It was for all the skill and quality materials used . But then again, its something most forum members can do it seems .Can hear them shout "Cheeky bugger wanting so much money etc when just a "trade" ! . Get use to paying for quality if you want it .

[roofer]

£85



Totally dismantled, new timber scarfed in. Good draughtproofing in frame.



About as secure as it needs to be, hung on 3 hinges with a decent lock on it.

[Deep]

Rosscow said:

To give you a rough idea, we've just manufactured and installed the following bespoke door:



57mm thick door
92 x 70mm frame sections
Door and frame in Accoya, door cill in Sapele
Insulated raised and fielded panels
24mm 1.0 U-Value toughened obscure units - door has stained and leaded glass to customers own design
Winkhaus heritage multipoint autolock
Brisant Ultion 3 Star Diamond Sold Secure Euro Cylinder
2 Colour finish (blue external, white internal)

Cost, £3390.00 inc VAT.

East Sussex.

That looks gorgeous. I just got my quote through for a similar spec of door ie

57mm Accoya wood
Frame
Single piece of glazing made to my spec with stained glass (double glazed)
Banham locks
Retaining the original cill

Wait for it.......... £6.5k ffs!! Crazy pricing and way over budget. No way am I paying that sort of money

If you don't mind me asking what's the name of the company you used?

Edited by Deep on Thursday 27th April 08:52

[CoolHands]

I think he's saying his company! So ask him for a quote!