Front Entrance Door Help
arrieleder
6 years ago
Hello!
I'm currently in the middle of a renovation project on a 1930s semi-detached house and I'm a little stuck on the front door.
I'd like for there to be sidelights on either side of the front door to make the entrance hallway brighter and appear wider.
But in terms of picking the door itself I can't seem to find anything I like/can afford.
I keep going round in circles with the following options:
1) get a joiner to make a timber door in one of the three attached chevron/herringbone designs (thoughts on which of the three is better are welcomed). - I thought the chevron/herringbone design nicely reflected the porch and main roof gable ends. I've had some quotes to do this but they'll all much higher than I expected.
2) restore the original 1930s door and insert it in a frame with sidelights either side - a few houses on the street still have the same original door so it might be nice to keep it although I'm not so sure it would sit as well with the house post renovation. I'm also not sure the door is secure enough and I'd be concerned that retrofitting additional security features would ruin the appearance of the door.
3) get a different door altogether - I've looked at various composite, GRP, aluminium and steel doors and have struggled to find something I like/can afford . I also think most of the modern aluminium or steel doors tend to look a bit like prison doors which is an aesthetic I'm keen to avoid.
Any suggestions, advice or recommendations gratefully received.
Many thanks.
I'm currently in the middle of a renovation project on a 1930s semi-detached house and I'm a little stuck on the front door.
I'd like for there to be sidelights on either side of the front door to make the entrance hallway brighter and appear wider.
But in terms of picking the door itself I can't seem to find anything I like/can afford.
I keep going round in circles with the following options:
1) get a joiner to make a timber door in one of the three attached chevron/herringbone designs (thoughts on which of the three is better are welcomed). - I thought the chevron/herringbone design nicely reflected the porch and main roof gable ends. I've had some quotes to do this but they'll all much higher than I expected.
2) restore the original 1930s door and insert it in a frame with sidelights either side - a few houses on the street still have the same original door so it might be nice to keep it although I'm not so sure it would sit as well with the house post renovation. I'm also not sure the door is secure enough and I'd be concerned that retrofitting additional security features would ruin the appearance of the door.
3) get a different door altogether - I've looked at various composite, GRP, aluminium and steel doors and have struggled to find something I like/can afford . I also think most of the modern aluminium or steel doors tend to look a bit like prison doors which is an aesthetic I'm keen to avoid.
Any suggestions, advice or recommendations gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (17)
Daisy England
6 years agoRelated Discussions
need help with porch door and front door
Comments (18)Hi Vkololgi We think a grey traditional door with narrow glazing bars would look great against your white rendering. It gives a slightly modern twist to the house without looking out of place and will let in lots of light. Good luck with your project and post some photos of the final result when all the work is done....See MoreFront Entrance Door
Comments (2)Looks lovely and in-keeping with the property. Refreshing to see a thoughtful design rather than sticking in an anthracite modern door like so many others. Job well done....See MoreEntry Ideas for House where Front Door Opens onto Staircase
Comments (6)I too have a teeny tiny hall and there isn’t really much you can do, but it can be brightened up with a nice paint job and accessories. I have a small coat rack (3 hooks) in the hall. The stairs I’ve kept clear of pictures as the stairs are so narrow. At the top I’ve a couple of small family pics and a large driftwood heart. My walls are Dulux Egyptian Cotton and the carpet is a stripy one from Crucial Trading. You could put up a nice mirror in the hall, assuming the front door doesn’t bang into it, and maybe another one at the top of the stairs? You are right to stick with paler shades. I know dark shades are in vogue but maybe not where an area has no natural light. It would be grim. Do you have a favourite colour? Palest green, pink or mauve would look good. Plants wouldn’t fare well in a dark area, but there are some fantastic faux ones about that would look good. Here’s a few pics of mine, not the best pics as so little room, I feel your pain!...See Morecreating a front entrance ‘gate’ as a main door??
Comments (9)You will be altering the appearance of the front elevation. Planners, and planning departments, have different interpretations of the rules. It would be prudent to procure some pictures of your proposed gates ,and discuss your ideas informally with the local area planner before incurring any expense. Say you want to tidy up the front ( bins etc ) and provide better security to the dwelling ( a planning consideration ) and sound them out. It should be ok but for a bit of time it saves the potential hassle if they have a local policy and you were to buy gates that were, for instance too high for their liking without planning permission. I have had 2 instances recently were locals have not liked someone's gates and have informed the planners who insisted on a planning application. Either way it should be ok eventually. Good luck....See Morearrieleder
6 years agoDaisy England
6 years agoarrieleder
6 years ago
A S
6 years agoarrieleder
6 years agoA S
6 years agoJ A
6 years agoarrieleder
6 years ago
PROWood Window Alliance
6 years agoJ A
6 years ago
PROCroydon Window Company Ltd
6 years agoandrewbooton
6 years ago
PROSynseal Group
6 years agoDownload the masterdor app from the App Store and see what these look like in situ with up to 30 colours
PROMedina Joinery Ltd
6 years agoHi,
There are lots of great designs for front doors, but we would recommend using hardwood for stability. Have you looked into using Accoya or Oak, both of which can be painted?
Here are some doors Medina Joinery have made recently:
Have a look on our website www.medinajoinery.co.uk for more ideas or phone us for a chat on 023 92637380
Regards
Medina Joinery
Daisy England