There is something appealing about traditional wooden front doors particularly hardwood doors. The front entrance to your home is a focal point and a timber front door is an excellent option. The traditional choice has been mahogany exterior doors, however other species of wood such as pine and oak are offered. There’s even a vast range of door styles available to choose from. Timber doors can be very secure especially if equipped with multi point locking system and compared to a typical uPVC front door, they are aesthetically pleasing.
Many people in the past have moved away from a wooden exterior door to PVC front doors as they believed the PVC type offer a maintenance free life. They were probably correct to do so. Depending on the weather conditions timber doors, especially doors made from solid wood, can swell when moist and shrink when dry and quite often have a tendency to warp and twist because of the changes in atmospheric conditions leaving the door draughty.
Not so any more…..
Modern door manufacturing techniques now produce wooden entrance doors that are stable and require a lot less maintenance compared to timber doors of the past. The door manufacturing process is known as ‘engineered’.
The choice is endless
What is an Engineered Door
Engineered doors refer to relatively new timber door and window manufacturing process. The process produces doors and windows made to a high standard and the end result are timber products that are more stable and less prone to warping and twisting.
The process uses high specification adhesives and timber laminate techniques to produce doors that are cost effective. This manufacturing method can produce a finished door from less common, more expensive wood species and making them available to the wider masses.
The door core consists of strips or blocks of timber of lesser quality wood glued together with the grain of each strip opposing each other. This multi layer arrangement of the timber strips is particularly effective against warping and twisting of the wood unlike a solid wood piece. This method also produces a door that is lighter compared to a solid wood door.
The door core is then over laid with a thick veneer of the wood species required for the particular door finish. The leading edges of the door are lipped with the same species of wood as the door face. The door can be planed down by as much as 12mm (½”) on either side when fitting, without exposing the inner core.
Timber Front Doors
Doors are available in a number of species e.g. oak front door and some manufacturers will provide them in an unfinished state allowing you to apply the finish of your choice. You may want to match the finish of the door with other wood next to it in your home. In this case you should follow strictly any guidelines supplied by the manufacturer for applying the door protective coatings otherwise failure of the door is possible and it may affect your guarantee.
Wooden doors can be finished with wood stain, oil or paint.
Alternatively, doors are available pre-finished in a stain or coloured paint.
This is RECOMMENDED.
The advantages include:
- Paint finish is applied in a controlled environment
- Finishing materials used are probably well tested and tried
- High quality smooth finish
- No staining and painting after the door is installed
- Supplied with a guarantee
- Finish can last between 5 – 8 years
- A beautifully finished door is the result
Pre Hung Door Sets
You can obtain a new door that comes complete with door frame, weather stripping and door furniture ready to be installed in one go. They are quick and easy to install and the end result is a perfect fitting door. They are obviously more expensive but well worth it since the hard work, i.e. the door hanging, is carried out for you in the factory. They are easily fitted by the DIY enthusiast.
Some beautiful examples of timber doors
Credit for above photographs from Kershaws Door Warehouse
Some related articles:
If you wish to install a new timber entrance door, then maybe you will consider checking out our article on wooden garage doors.
If wood is defiantly not for you then read all about uPVC front doors.
A worry on a lot of home owner’s minds these days is security. When you are at home you need the feeling that you and your family are safe. If you consider timber doors not strong enough then you should investigate the possibility of installing a new steel door. These offer the ultimate in home security.
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