Five Beautiful and Trendy Front Door Types

So you’re looking for a way to spruce up your house. And what’s the centrepiece, the most eye-catching part of the outside of your house? We’re willing to bet it’s the front door. Sadly, many people don’t care about their front doors and don’t bother to give them the attention and maintenance they need. In this blog post, we’re going to look at five of our favourite beautiful and trendy door types you should consider if you’re looking to outcompete your neighbours – or if you’re just looking for inspiration.

Solid Wood Door

An absolute classic. The solid wood door is humble but aesthetically appealing, and will provide your house with almost guaranteed security. An added bonus is that wooden doors are fantastic at holding in heat, as wood is an outstanding insulator – so, if your house needs a little extra warmth during those chilly months, a wooden door might be a good choice for you. It looks fresh and natural, and can be crafted from a variety of types of wood. The downsides of a solid wooden door is that it requires quite a bit of maintenance and upkeep.

Steel Door

Another basic but brilliant choice, the simple steel door is ultra-secure and very strong, protecting your house effectively. Steel doors don’t require so much maintenance as wooden doors as they are damaged less easily, and they’ll be even more insulating as they usually come with an inner insulating layer to keep the warmth inside. However, the disadvantage is that you don’t get that lovely wooden door feel.

Glass Door

If you want your house to have a brighter aesthetic, or if glass matches the colour scheme of your house’s outside, then a glass door is probably a good choice for you! Glass doors let in a fantastic amount of light, keeping your hallway lit up and welcoming to visitors. With a glass door you can customize it in a huge variety of ways, from changing the colour to the tone to the frames, and much more. You can find out more about glass doors here.

Glass Panelled Doors

Want a little bit more privacy than a completely glass front door, but still want to let the sun’s rays into your house? If that sounds like you, maybe a glass panelled door is right for your house. Glass paneled doors have the advantage of better privacy while letting light and warmth in, but insulate the house at night. They have decent security and a nice midpoint in the amount of maintenance and care you’ll have to put in to keep your door in good fashion and looking amazing.

Double Door

Ah, the spacey feel! If you want to show off the size of your house and welcome lots of visitors into your home, then a double door is likely the best pick for you. Double doors are an umbrella term for a wide range of doors, from wide to steel to glass. Of course, they’re a bit more on the pricey side, but you’ll get fantastic insulation, good lighting if you go for glass, and overall just an outstanding feel to your door. Depending on what you choose, the maintenance for your new London front door might be little or lots. Double doors are usually designed to be not so demanding, but most people like caring for their doors so they stay looking amazing. Your neighbours will be jealous!

How to repaint a worn wooden door

The Basics

A quick and easy way to revive a worn-down exterior door is by repainting it, and often this can be done with minimal preparation and without breaking the bank. Repainting your door can spruce it up and make the exterior of your house feel like home again. Improving and repainting your house’s front door can be finished in one day, with the bulk of the work completed in a single afternoon. In this blog article, we’ll show you the simple steps you should follow to get the perfect possible coating for your door, and how to do it quickly and efficiently.

Colour

Depending on your house’s location and style, the ideal colour for your bespoke front door can vary greatly, and it’s important to take some time to decide upon the perfect colour for you. While a bright, clean white can work with nearly every home and makes your house look beautiful and well-maintained, you might like a different tone or colour which matches the architecture and period of your house. Doing some basic research on door colours online can give you a good idea of a few great colour options for you!

Equipment and Preparing the Door

You’ll need some very basic and highly accessible equipment to get started with repainting your Victorian front door, and you might already have some of it at home if you’ve done something similar before. As well as wood paint for exterior surfaces in your chosen colour, and the crucial paint brush, you’ll need masking tape to protect areas you don’t want paint to touch, medium-grade sandpaper to prep the door, a roller and a tray, a cloth, and a flat-bladed scraper. To make removing the original coat easier, you can invest in chemical paint stripper.

Safety! Make sure to wear protective gloves, goggles and a mask if you’re dealing with dangerous paint.

When you’re preparing your door for repainting, you don’t have to remove all of the original coat right down to the timber. Instead, use medium grit sandpaper to scrape away a light amount of paint from the door. Be sure to rub in the direction of the wood grains. This will help the new layers of paint easily stick to the door and last longer. If you have chemical paint stripper, carefully but thoroughly cover the whole surface of the door with the stripper and ensure it seeps into any nooks and crannies. Again, this will ensure the old coat is removed effectively. When the stripper starts to bubble up, you know it is doing its job properly!

After leaving the door to rest for the recommended time on the package of the paint stripper, clean your flat-bladed scraper and cautiously scrape away layers of the original coat. Once the old paint has been removed fairly and equally across the door, neutralise the stripper by watering the door or using white spirit (this depends on the chemical stripper you used).

Use sandpaper held around a sanding block to erode away any thick areas of old paint and leave your door looking almost unpainted.

Applying the Paint

Painting your front door with your chosen colour is very simple, but getting the colour spread perfect across the entire surface can take just a little bit of time, so you should follow the steps closely to ensure you get the best coating.

Before applying any paint, give it a strong, thorough stir in order to mix up and fairly distribute the pigments in the paint, so that you won’t have any darker or lighter, or thicker or thinner, patches of coating on your door.

Once the paint has been all stirred up, don’t stall long before beginning the actual painting process. It’s recommended that you envision several imaginary “boundaries” on the surface of your door. Six or eight rectangular areas work best, and you should work on one at a top. Start from the top so that any tiny droplets of paint that run down don’t ruin any painting work you’ve already finished.

To get the blend right, paint carefully and lightly in the same direction as the wood grains and try to use an even coating on your brush each time. Go for equally lengthed strokes and try to blend each strip of paint into the one before it. Blend the patches into each other while the paint is wet so they have time to combine and cancel out any differences in pigmentation.

In simple terms, apply the paint cautiously and fairly across the door. You may need to do several coatings and we generally recommend this so that the paint is clearer, more resilient to weather and longer-lasting, so that you won’t have to apply a new coating any time soon. Depending on your type of paint, it could take anywhere from two to six hours for the paint to dry, but it’s usually okay to apply the next coating while the paint is only partially dry. Once you have applied enough coatings, leave the door to dry fully in a well ventilated space, and give it 24 hours just to be safe!

Conclusion

Well, there you go! Once the paint has dried, you can remove the masking tape, re-hinge the door and pack away your equipment. Grab a cup of tea and appreciate your handiwork! Ideally you should have a bold, clear and even coating of paint across your door’s surface with no blotches or scratches and none of the original coating of paint shaping through from behind. If anything looks off, it’s often fine just to take it off the hinges and give it another go over until it’s looking the way you envisioned.

Painting your front door can be a process but if done effectively with the right tools and the correct instructions, you can have it done within a day or two without facing any issues, and be left with a pristine, beautiful and good-as-new front door for your home sweet home!

How to inspect your old door frame.

If you are planning to buy a new Bespoke front door and think your old frame is still in good condition you can check this in 3 easy steps:

a. Check the frame for rot. Use a house key (not a screw driver or chisel, these are too sharp) to poke the cill and the bottom of the frame verticals. You are looking for soft timber. If you find soft timber then the frame is rotten and needs to be replaced.

b. Use a spirit level and tape measure to find out if the frame is square. Most frames are not square. If the verticals are more than 20mm off the vertical line then a new frame is required. If the head or the cill are more than 25mm off the horizontal line then a new frame is required. If the head or the cill are not level then you must tell the customer that the door will not look straight at the top or the bottom, but there is nothing you can do to change this unless you change the frame.

c. Check the frame for cracks/ splits. These can be caused by a break-in in the past. If there are splits around the hinges then the new hinges won’t carry the door and the door might drop. This means the frame must be replaced. If there are splits around the locks then the door may not be as secure and the frame might need to be replaced. If the splits around a lock keep are small, then a London bar might help to re-inforce the frame and the old frame could be kept.

When your frame pass all tests you can buy your dream period front door I our online shop at https://www.bespokefrontdoor.com/doors

How to Maintain Your Front Door Over the Years

In many ways, the Victorian front door of your house ends up defining it. It’s the first impression for both guests and passers-by, and it’s the lasting image that is most frequently associated with your home after leaving.

Being the first image that comes to someone’s mind when they think of your home gives your front door a fair bit of importance. By maintaining it, you are upholding the view of your house and the way it looks. This means that you need to keep your front door looking healthy and well-cared-for, in order to maintain that curb appeal and the overall value of your house in high spirits.

 

Why Do Front Doors Lose Their Touch?

 

Whether your period front door is made from metal or wood, it’s only natural to witness natural wear and tear over the years, through its age and also poor weather conditions. You may notice that paint has started to fade or crack, coming off with the lightest of touches. You may also notice that wooden doors can begin to rot, as well as metal doors beginning to rust. Not only this, but doors also get damaged through natural use such as slamming and banging, weakening the paint and finish, or causing damage to the material underneath.

How To Maintain Your Door

 

1. The first thing to consider when maintaining your front door involves routinely checking it for faults. Inspect it often to see if the paint is coming off, or if you can see any rot. Similarly, if there’s some piece of the door that’s broken off or if there’s a hole in it, you will know that you need to seal it. Check-ups are the key to providing your front door with the care it needs.

 

1. Secondly, painting and sealing your door efficiently is essential. Your door is subject to damage from water, UV rays, poor weather, and a number of other external factors. Invest in UV-blocking varnish and paint, and also quality oil to treat the wood.

 

1. Thirdly, clean regularly. A simple solution of mild dish soap and warm water, used with a smooth cloth or sponge, is the best way to clean an exterior door. Wipe until no more dirt or dust is evident when you swipe across the surface and allow the door to dry.

 

1. Take a closer look, if needed. For example, for older wood doors that require restoration, it’s best to take the door off the hinges, remove all the hardware, lay it across two sawhorses, and sand it down to the wood. This clears away any old paint, finish, or varnish, and allows you to see if the door has any cracks or other repair needs.

 

 

Maintaining your door and upholding the overall quality helps to preserve the image of your home in the eyes of other people and your own as well. Make time for regularly inspecting the quality of your door, and prevent damage by fixing issues as soon as you notice them.

Bespoke In: Red

Whether it’s the bold classic of a fire-engine red or a subtly muted pastel, red is one of the most popular colour choices when it comes to front doors. So, if you’re thinking of livening up your home’s entrance, here are some of our favourite shades, and our top tips, on how to source out the best shades for red front doors.

Why Red?

From scarlet, crimson, burgundy, ruby or even coral, there are hundreds of shades and hues, to choose from, and red is a colour with some seriously dramatic tone variations. It’s easy to see why it’s such a common and attractive choice to use as a front door colour, making even the most tired-looking exteriors pop with character and style. Not to mention, it makes a quick, easy and cheap update to add a big boost of curb appeal to your home.

 

If you’ve decided to refresh your facade with a red  bespoke front door, you’ll want to pick out a shade that works well with your current exterior style. Follow these tips to choose the shade for your home.

 

Shades We Love

 

1. Candy Apple Red

This bold and vivid shade of red brings some serious curb appeal to many stylish Victorian properties across London, as well as more modern builds. The brightness of the shade boasts a creative look and is the perfect accompaniment to white trims and chrome fittings.

 

2. Cherry Red

A deeper shade of red with richer undertones, Cherry Red offers a vibrant yet moody feel to any home exterior. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider boasting a beautiful cherry red facade.

 

3. Burgundy

This deep and rich tone is an absolute classic, making a sophisticated and stylish transformation both quickly and easily. Bold burgundy shades also make wonderful accompaniments to vivid greenery and brickwork – therefore a superb choice for traditional Victorian properties across the capital.

 

4. Salmon

The latest trend in… pretty much everything. Salmon red/pink is a refreshing and unique shade that will complement any property style beautifully. It’s also a great choice for summertime, especially when paired with natural greenery, foliage, hanging baskets, and summer wreaths.

 

 

5. Pastel Reds

Last but not least, if you’re a fan of the more muted and subtle shades, why not opt for a pastel red? With just a delicate hue of colour, a lovely rust red or darkened coral-esque shade can make a great contrast with lighter brickwork and panelling, especially when complemented with clean white trims.

Like what you see? Red is a fabulous and easy colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.

 

Let’s Talk Brick

The Best Door Colours To Complement Brick Houses

 

When it comes to a British home’s exterior, the typical style is usually composed of brick, and it’s one of those looks that enhances deep-rooted character and a sense of history – especially in old houses. That’s why it’s so important, and difficult, to pick the perfect door colour to complement the aesthetic. We’ve put together our top tips to help you choose the right one for your home’s exterior.

With so many colours to choose from, deciding on a single shade for your front door can be a challenge. Follow these simple steps for choosing a bespoke front door colour that brings out the beauty in your brick house.

 

Top Tips

1. Stay True To Classic Neutrals

While a bold and vivid paint colour is a great opportunity for artistic expression, and a chance to get creative, it’s often simpler to stick to a classic neutral palette that will stand the test of time. Opt for greys, browns and taupes to pair nicely with brick tones, and complement your home’s natural beauty and brickwork, rather than distracting from it. and enhance some serious curb appeal.

2. Work With Nature

Even though you may be opting for a neutral door colour, you can use natural greenery to your advantage in order to create hues of colour. Deep greens, blues, and earthy browns all work a treat when it comes to door paint, and works well with the natural tones of the brick to tie it all together.

3. Test Your Theories

If a few different colour variations have caught your eye, and you’re having a hard time deciding on a shade – take a walk. Make mental notes about the similar style and colour combinations used by neighbours and other streets in your area. And, once inspired, try out a few different colours before settling for one. We all know too well that a shade of paint on a mobile phone or computer screen doesn’t quite honour the way dry paint looks in natural sunlight. Experiment and test your theories against the brick before deciding on your next colour.

 

Our Recommendations

1. Colours for Red Brick

The good thing about red brick is that nearly every neutral door colour you could choose would compliment it beautifully. Typically though, dark and contrasting hues make a stunning choice. Whether it’s a deep hunter green, navy blue or black, when coupled with a lighter colour trim, it really pops from the red brick without overwhelming that classic British style. For more subtle tones, rich taupes and chocolate browns also work really well alongside the natural red tones of the brick.

2. Colours for Grey Brick

For both traditional and more modern builds across London, you’ll notice that grey brick can be a common variable. So, when it comes to door colour, it can be tricky to choose the right tone. Sure, darker or lighter greys will complement the brick well, but how much grey is too much grey? To avoid creating a wash-out of grey tones, aim for a subtle touch of colour to work alongside it, allowing the colour of the door to contrast with the natural tones of the brick. We recommend black, navy blues, olive greens, or for lovers of the more bold and vibrant, why not try turquoise or pastel pinks?

3. Colours for White Brick

Although less common than your red and grey brick tones, white brick also creeps up every now and again. And even though you could say ‘white works with anything’, it’s easy to create a washed-out look with the wrong shades. A jet black could be too much of a contrast, while bright vivid colours could be blinding to the eye. Having said that, white-washed brick facades have a multitude of attractive London front door options, but you should opt for muted colours. Think warm greys, pastel blues/greens, natural earthy browns etc.

 

Selecting a pleasing colour palette for brick homes can be tricky, but warm neutral colours, when coupled with the right trim options, can make for a calming entrance with character.

The Parts of Your House You Definitely Want to Check After Winter

The winters and snow are not fans of your house. Both of them can do some serious damage to your house. Harsh winters can affect all kinds of buildings apart from humans and animals. The cold wind is a source of precipitation which can cause water sources to freeze, and put a strain on your house. As unforgiving as winters are, they can bring a world of trouble for you when they finally end.

There are several problems caused by winters, mainly to the foundation of the house, roofs, etc.

Here are some parts of your house that may be potentially damaged by the cold and should definitely be checked out.

The Foundation

The foundation of the house is the most important part of the house because it is what your house rests on. A strong foundation means a strong house. However, the cold breeze of winter can cause some serious damage to foundations which could ultimately turn your house into a hazard.

Winters can freeze the soil under your house, making it extremely hard instead of soft and supportive. This freezing of soil can cause irreparable damage to the foundation of your house if left unattended. Hairline fractures in the concrete can develop into cracks, causing structural issues which could next affect the walls of the house

Therefore, it is best to hire a professional to check for frost heave, and if found, attend to it timely.

The Pipes

The piping of your house is also an integral part that needs to be regularly checked, especially during and after winters.

Low temperatures can cause water to freeze quickly, especially drainage systems. When this happens, the incoming flow of water increases in pressure and puts a strain on the pipes. This additional pressure and force significantly increase the chances of the bursting of pipes. What’s more, the pipes themselves can freeze up or break due to the cold. Hence, it is a must to check the whole discharge system for any damage at the hands of winter.

Front doors

All kinds of doors, be it interior or exterior, are damaged by winter. However, the front doors bear the brunt of the harsh winters, especially in London.

London front doors bear the brunt of nature’s harshest breeze and cold. If not protected, the cold winds or moisture-laden fog can cause period front doors to contract as well as crack. What’s more, Victorian front doors can absorb rain and precipitation and be damaged internally which is why your front doors need the proper protection to handle everything nature throws at you.

The Roof

Roofs face a greater threat than front doors during the winter season. They face the harshest challenges in the form of wind, rain and the cold. The harsh winters can do a lot of damage, cause cracks as well as weaken the structure of the house as well as absorb drizzle and precipitation. Hence, it is important to protect your ceilings to the utmost.

Bespoke In: Pink

With an endless spectrum of colours to choose from, it’s one of the hardest decisions to make throughout your bespoke front door project.

We believe that every home is completely unique, and so each door should represent your home’s true character and personality. The best way to do this is with a paint job.

This year, more customers than ever before are making statements of style with pastel shades – especially pink – and we love it! Our pink Victorian front doors have seen unprecedented levels of demand and the colour – in all of its hues – is perfect for adding instant curb appeal.

Pretty In Pink

With pink having a major moment in interior design, it seems to have ventured to the exterior of our homes too. And why not? Pink is a versatile and fresh choice compared to neutral colours and does wonders to bringing a tired-looking home to life again.

There are, however, many shades of pink to choose from. It’s especially important to get the right shade of pink to perfectly capture the overall mood and style of your home. Popular choices are dusty, pastel and baby pinks as opposed to hot pinks or bubblegum pinks, but each one can beautifully complement features such as white pilasters, the greenery that frames an entrance and original monochrome tiling – a popular feature on pathways and doorsteps of Victorian homes.

Of course, pink in all its forms has many positive associations, signifying creativity, love, and passion. By using this playful colour on your front door, it adds personality and panache, boosting your homes curb appeal and makes stepping inside all the more inviting.

Shades We Love

1. Powder Pink

This beautiful pastel shade brings serious curb appeal to many stylish Victorian properties across London. The blush shade has a soothing finish and is the perfect accompaniment to warmer whites and polished chrome fittings.

2. Raspberry Seriously Ripples

A deeper shade with more rich undertones, raspberry pink offers a bold and moody vibe to any front door. If you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious finish to offer timeless style that will be envied by all guests and neighbours, consider letting raspberry ripple.

3. Candy Pink

This deep dusky pink is playful and creative, beautifully complementing vivid greenery and brickwork perfectly. We especially love this shade on classic Victorian properties, especially when contrasting with tiled porches and entrance walkways.

4. Coral Pink

The latest trend in… pretty much everything. Coral Pink is a fresh and eye-catching shade that complements any property style beautifully. It’s also a great choice for springtime which will soon be upon us, as it contrasts perfectly with natural greenery and foliage. It’s time to get those hanging baskets up and out.

Like what you see? Pink is a relatively easy colour to work with, but before you take the plunge, imagine your home in all seasons and consider the overall look in the area you live. It’s great to stand out, but worse to look amiss.

 

Security is Everything

Your home is your safe place, and so security is everything. Therefore, while you want your front door to look good, it’s also vital to ensure your home is secure enough to keep intruders out.

 

As the nights darken, burglaries are undoubtedly at their highest, and so it’s the perfect time to invest in more door security. Whether it’s new state-of-the-art locks or some porch lighting, we can provide our best advice for peace of mind for all year round.

 

Consider…

 

1. What is your door made of?

You can have a locking system as tough as Fort Knox, but if your door isn’t made of quality hardwood, or is old and rotting in places, it will still be relatively easy for intruders to break in.

Our front doors are made from Accoya® – a natural and sustainable timber that is known for its impeccable strength and durability. It’s the perfect choice for a front door. Also, if your bespoke front door consists of glazing or fanlights, you should consider the strength. You can opt for internal kick plates to be built in to ensure potential burglars have a hard time kicking in the panels.

2. Are your windows secure?

Ensure all of your windows are locked at night, or if you leave the house. This seems like common sense, but it’s incredibly common to leave a window open at night during hot summer months when cooler air is much to be desired. This creates an easy opportunity for intruders. Also, ensure you leave keys in a place they aren’t on show through windows or doors. By making them easily accessible, you are providing potential burglars with an easy task.

3. Are you easily alarmed?

The sight of a burglar alarm or CCTV will deter intruders before they even try to enter your home. In fact, opportunist crime can be significantly reduced if good security systems are in place, with the majority of intruders looking for an easy target. Don’t be that easy target! Install a quality alarm system that would alert yourself, or neighbours if you should not be at home.

 

4. Let there be light

Not only can great lighting be a stylish quality to your front door, illuminating your front walkway on darker evenings, it’s also super practical for helping you find your keys in the dark – and also deterring criminals! If you’re looking for a cheaper option to high-quality CCTV or alarms, motion-detector lighting is a great way of alerting you of even the slightest movement outside and scaring away unwanted visitors.

 

5. State of the Art Locks

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want a decent locking system for your London front door. When it comes to something as basic and must-have as this, there is little point in cutting corners. Top of the range locks from manufacturers of the UK’s most cutting-edge systems incorporates many additional security options such as spy holes, door chains and bars.

 

At Bespoke Front Door, our expert designers will always advise you on the best one for you.

Complementing Traditional Period Door Features Part 2 – Our Services

If you live in a period home, it’s likely that you flaunt a traditional period front door to match – and there’s no better way to maintain and respect the elegance of your home’s architectural charm. If your period front door is an original, chances are it isn’t as secure as doors you see around the block today.

In part two, we’ll look at how you can upgrade your existing door with some modern-day features and still keep the authentic character within your home.

Choosing the Perfect Door Colour

There’s no limit to the colour possibilities available to us today, so when it comes to painting your new period door, you might find yourself overwhelmed by choice. However, it’s always a good idea to revert to tradition. Historically, black and red were popular choices for Georgian front doors, while grey is more common for more contemporary front doors.

It’s important to decide on a paint colour that perfectly suits both your home and your own personal taste. Consider the exterior of your home and the colours you want to highlight and enhance. Is it the tiling on the porch, or the colourful stained glass panels? Maybe you want to turn the focus to some of the greenery around your Edwardian home, in which case, elegant matt shades could be appropriate such as blacks, navy blues or greys.

Our team of designers can aid in choosing the right colour for your door, showcasing our range of shades and palettes. Then, during the construction of your door, our professional craftsmen will paint the perfect seamless coating, making for long-lasting protection from the elements as well as a true enhancement of style.

Deciding on Door Furniture

If you’ve figured out the style and the colour of your new front-door-to-be, you’ll also want to consider new door furniture, including handles, letterboxes, knockers, door numbers and more. Our expert designers are available to help and advise as to what style would best suit your new period front door. Modern doors look great with polished chrome or nickel accessories, whereas Georgian properties look an absolute masterpiece with burnished or polished brass, especially with more intricate detailing.

Considering Glazing

From Georgian homes to the 1930s, to even contemporary doors produced today, bespoke doors often boast some form of glazing, whether it’s in the door itself or from a fanlight/sidelight. Thinking back over a hundred years, we must remember that electric lighting wasn’t prevalent in homes until the 20th century, so natural daylight was an absolute must for dark hallways and corridors.

With our bespoke services, you can choose from a range of beautifully stained glass designs, whether you’re looking for simple and elegant, or something more authentic and intricate. When it comes to incorporating modern features, our team can advise on options for strengthened and frosted glass that enhances both security and privacy for your home, as well as enhancing existing characteristics like surrounding windows, shapes and other detailing.

Get in touch to discuss a free no-obligation visit at a time that’s convenient for you. You’ll be able to see first-hand the many design options available, providing you with plenty of design possibilities to inspire your front door project.