A front door is a very important part of the house. Not only does it set the tone for the rest of the building, but it is also the first thing anyone sees when they enter, and it acts as a barrier against the outside world. Through the ages, the front door has been through many incarnations and design styles.
At The Sash Window Workshop we have over 30 years’ experience manufacturing and installing traditional timber front doors to suit your period home. If you are looking to replace your front door, complete our contact form online for a quote or give our team a call on 01344 868 668.
Different designs of traditional timber front doors are likely to suit different period properties; for example, a Georgian front door would look out of place in a Victorian home. In this blog we explain the different styles of front doors that will suit different period homes.
Jump to a section:
Georgian front doors
Victorian front doors
Edwardian front doors
1920s / 1930s front doors
Georgian front doors
A typical Georgian door will often have six panels in the design. They would all be solid wood and would be relatively simple.
Georgian front doors (1714-1830) normally won’t have as much glass as other front doors. They were often windowless and demonstrated the epitome of simplicity.
Some Georgian front doors will occasionally include glass panes, but these would normally be as a small addition on the top door frame. Occasionally they would have a semi-circular fan window above the door for letting light into the hallway.
As the period moved on, the doors became slightly more ornate, and more details, like pillars and pediments, were added. Doors were usually made from hardwood and were heavy and solid. Georgian entrance doors were also normally flanked by stone pillars, adding to the overall grandeur of the entrance.
One famous example of a Georgian front door is number 10 Downing Street, the official residence for the UK prime minister.
Victorian front doors
In contrast, Victorian front doors were normally characterised by elaborate designs, often within Gothic-inspired arch designs.
More often made from softer wood but painted or treated to be tough, Victorian front doors were divided into six or four panels. Front doors in the Victorian era (1837-1901) allowed lots of natural light to flood in through glass panes that were often either coloured or textured.
Wooden doors during this period also had plenty of brass work and included a letterbox after they were introduced in 1850.
Edwardian front doors
Classic exterior Edwardian doors were often built wider and would normally feature half-glazed main panel with three smaller panels above it to let more light into the wider hallway.
Like Victorian doors, the glass was often patterned or stained. Edwardian front doors were often designed in an Art Nouveau style and there was less door furniture than Victorian doors.
Curved panel detailing was common, and doors would be painted in colour palettes, including olive green and claret reds.
1920s and 1930s front doors
Heavy oak doors became more fashionable after the Edwardian period had finished, as did darker paint colours. Black and dark browns were often the colour of choice for these wooden front doors.
1920s and 1930s front doors were often more decorative in design, with Art Deco doors being particularly popular in the 1930s. Decorative leadwork also defined the glass panels.
The Sash Window Workshop – Obtain a Quote
At The Sash Window Workshop we specialise in manufacturing and installing replacement timber doors to suit your period property. We have been replacing period-appropriate timber front doors in Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and 1920s/30s homes since 1994.
All our new front doors are bespoke and made in our manufacturing facilities in Bracknell, Berkshire. We pride ourselves on providing a high level of attention to detail, ensuring that your new front door will perfectly suit your home.
For advice on choosing the right front door for your period property, or to obtain a free, no obligation quotation, contact us today on: 01344 868 668.
