FAQ
Veneering is often thought of as a cheaper alternative to well finished, solid timber, but for structural reasons, many of the most beautiful timbers are not suitable for use in solid form. Even well seasoned timber is subject to shrinkage, casting, twisting and splitting, especially in centrally heated homes; and many solid timbers have an irregular microstructure which, in shaped work, can shorten the grain and reduce their strength. Furthermore, even if these timbers displayed none of the above faults, they along with the more common hardwood species would be rapidly depleted.
Carefully selected and applied to the right base or groundwork, veneers not only reduce the cost of materials but also enlarge the scope of the designer to create beautiful patterns, much of which could not be made from solid timber. Small areas of rare hardwoods or common burrs can be cut and built up to cover large areas. Timbers can be cut in such a way that, when used as veneers, they appear as beautiful mirrored repeat patterns or many other decorative effects.
Veneers are basically thin slices of wood. Traditionally they were sawn, but now they are always sliced with large, powered knives. Sawn veneers vary in thickness from 1.5mm to 6mm, the most common being 3mm. Modern veneers tend to be fairly standard at 0.8mm, but they can be very much thinner (0.3mm) or up to 9.5mm thick. The thickness depends on the type of timber rather than the method of cutting.
Several methods are used to create various grain patterns. The most commonly produced patterns are:
• Crown - Veneer cut from this part of the log produce leaves with crown pattern with some straight grain either side.
As the crown cut moves through the log towards the centre, the leaves become wider with the crown being narrower and better defined, with wider straight grain sections on either side.
• Quarter - Leaves cut in this method produce fairly straight (parallel growth rings) grain patterns.
• Rotary
However, there are other types of veneer appearances:
• Birdseye - Figure in veneer exhibiting numerous rounded areas resembling small eyes.
• Quilt - Blistered appearance shimmering scalloped pattern.
• Pommele - A scalloped figure, most usually found in mahogany.
• Burl/Burr - Abnormal growth producing tightly packed buds and knots producing highly decorative veneer that mostly appear as rings and dots.
• Figured - The markings, often forming wavy shimmering patterns, these may be regular or irregular ranging from fiddle back to block figure.
• Flame - Otherwise known as curl or crotches. This veneer is from the fork in a tree and the pattern resembles a flame.
Reconstructed (man made) veneers - Reconstructed Veneers are sliced from a laminated timber block made from various wood species, dyed throughout and glued together under pressure in parallel configuration. One of the perceived benefits of reconstructed veneers is the consistency in colour and grain of the veneer. Within block lots, there is generally acceptable consistency of colour, with some subtle grain differences. Due to batch dyeing, there can be small colour variance from block to block.
Q: Matching Veneered Door Frame
Matching frame for interior bespoke doors is supplied as a complete doorset, including 25mm thick door linings, FD30 door stops and set of square style architraves to cover both sides of a door. All components are made using the same veneer/paint finish to exactly match the door. Supplied in loose lengths 2,2-3m long to be cut and assembled on site. Ironmongery not included.
Q: Matching external door frame
Matching external frames are supplied as a complete self assembly set (including door cill), specific to individual external door. Certain door frames (only available for external doors of type: Modena, Siena, Suffolk, Pattern 10, Turin) are factory machined and supplied with your choice of locking system or even optional letterplate - these doorsets include security hinges, Stormguard trimline threshold and rain deflector.
Intumescent Strip
"Brick to brick" measurement of a door opening, please make sure to put accurate size. We will deduct 65mm from the width (2x 25mm for linings and 15mm for gaps between wall, linings and a door) and 35mm from the height (25mm lining and 10mm for gaps between wall, lining and a door) to calculate the exact door size. In result, fitted door should have optimal spacing between door and linings, allowing easy operating with minimum gaps.
We are aware that occasionally walls may not be levelled or completely straight, therefore to avoid trimming of doors we recommend to contact us to calculate the best door size for such openings or consult your carpenter/door fitter.
Important: If flooring is yet to be laid, please reduce its thickness from the opening height or simply contact us to do it for you.
Please input the exact wall to wall measurement. We will do the necessary calculations for you.
Please input the exact measurement between the floor and top of the door opening. We will do the necessary calculations for you.
Edge to edge measurement of door width. Please get advise from your carpenter/door fitter.
Edge to edge measurement of wall thickness, necessary to calculate the right size of a door lining.
In case, where door linings are already in place, you will have to give us the exact door size required by you (edge to edge). The door will be produced to this exact size. Please get advise from your carpenter/door fitter.
Edge to edge measurement of door width. Please get advise from your carpenter/door fitter.
Edge to edge measurement of door height. Please get advise from your carpenter/door fitter.
Panel Side
The updated British Standard "BS 6262: Part 4: 1994 Code of Practice for Glazing for Buildings", introduced new requirements that glazing fitted in 'critical locations' in domestic buildings must be safe. This may be achieved for example by fitting safety glass, small panes of ordinary glass, thicker ordinary glass etc. Certain internal and external areas are considered 'critical locations' in terms of the safety of vertical glazing, as they are at risk from accidental human impact.
The critical locations defined by the standard are similar to the Approved Document N of the Building Regulations 1991. Domestically for doors and side panels any glazing or part of that glazing, which is between the finished floor level and a height of 1500mm above the floor level, is in a 'critical location'.
Internal glazing – We recommend using laminated glass in glazed internal doors. Laminated glass is inexpensive but aesthetically pleasing type of safety glass (see below). In our range of bespoke doors, you will be only able to choose laminated glass, although toughened, toughened laminated, wired glass etc. are available for request.
External glazing – Common practise is to use toughened double glazed units (see below) in external doors and side panels, as they offer significantly better U value (thermal insulation) than laminated glass, which is crucial for external use, as it contributes towards better energy rating of the entire building.
Most common types of safety and fire rated glass used in doors:
• Laminated glass (usually 6,4mm thick) - Consists of two or more sheets of ordinary glass which are attached together by a plastic interlayer. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass from breaking up into large sharp pieces, it also gives the glass a much higher sound insulation rating, due to the damping effect, and blocks 99% of transmitted UV light. The interlayer can be either clear (for transparent glass) or white (for obscured glass).
• Laminated FD30 glass (7mm thick) – Very similar to above, but the interlayer is thicker and in case of fire, it activates and expands to reduce heat transferring to the protected side of the element. This glass complies with the required 30min Fire rating according to BS 476 part 22 1987, and it can be either clear (transparent) or white (obscured). Also available as 12mm thick 60min fire resistant.
• Wired glass (6mm) - This glass has a mesh of wires embedded in it. Certain types of wired glass can satisfy the impact requirements for safety glass while giving a level of fire resistance. It provides 60min Fire Resistance
• Toughened glass (4-25mm thick) - This looks like ordinary glass but receives a special heat treatment process to toughen it. It is much stronger than ordinary glass and on impact disintegrates into small granular pieces, which are not sharp, reducing the risk of injury. Commonly used in double glazed units, can be sandblasted for obscurity or special patterns.
• Double glazed units (12-32mm thick) – 2 pieces of glass (usually Low E) sealed together with air or gas in between them. All external doors that comply with Document L of Building Regulations will provide great thermal insulation, measured in U value (the lower the better). To comply with safety regulations for doors (see above), glass used in double glazed units must be toughened or laminated.
U value requirements for doors, according to 2006 Part L of Building Regulations:
• Replacements & Doors in extensions:
Maximum U-Value = 3.0 W/m²K where glazed area of door & frame is less than 50%
Maximum U-Value = 2.2 W/m²K where glazed area of door & frame is greater than 50%
• New build:
Determined by Building Design U-Value (range) = from 1.1 up to 2.2 W/m²K (weighted average)
Throughout the website we use milimeters, although occasionally some sizes may also be displayed in inches or feet. Below is a list of all standard sizes used within industry, with conversion to inches and feet.
Single Internal Doors
UK Imperial Sizes
mm inches feet
381x1981mm 15"x78" 1'3"x6'6"
457x1981mm 18"x78" 1'6"x6'6"
533x1981mm 21"x78" 1'9"x6'6"
610x1981mm 24"x78" 2'0"x6'6"
686x1981mm 27"x78" 2'3"x6'6"
711x1981mm 28"x78" 2'4"x6'6"
762x1981mm 30"x78" 2'6"x6'6"
813x2032mm 32"x80" 2'8"x6'8"
838x1981mm 33"x78" 2'9"x6'6"
864x1981mm 34"x78" 2'10"x6'6"
914x1981mm 36"x78" 3'0"x6'6"
UK Metric Sizes (milimeters only)
mm
326x2040mm
426x2040mm
526x2040mm
626x2040mm
726x2040mm
826x2040mm
926x2040mm
Internal Double Doors
mm inches feet
915x1981mm 36"x78" 3'0"x6'6"
1067x1981mm 42"x78" 3'6"x6'6"
1168x1981mm 46"x78" 3'10"x6'6"
1220x1981mm 48"x78" 4'0"x6'6"
1372x1981mm 54"x78" 4'6"x6'6"
1524x1981mm 60"x78" 5'0"x6'6"
External Single Doors
mm inches feet
762x1981mm 30"x78" 2'6"x6'6"
813x2032mm 32"x80" 2'8"x6'8"
838x1981mm 33"x78" 2'9"x6'6"
864x2082mm 34"x82" 2'10"x6'10"
915x2134mm 36"x84" 3'0"x7'0"
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Timber weatherbar 915mm long in oak, supplied unfinished to be fitted at the bottom of the outside face of the external door. It makes the water run away from the bottom edge of the door.
Factory fitted letterplate in the bottom rail of the door.
Choice of 2 high security locking systems:
1) Multipoint locking system with 2 hook mechanism, including level handle
2) British Standard 5 lever deadlock and double locking Era nightlatch, including cylinder pull
Q: Finish (if letterplate or locking system has been chosen)
Polished Brass or Polished Chrome
T shaped timber section fitted in between 2 doors to simulate a rebate (cover the gap in between doors and allow one door to be opened as a master door). Pair Maker is 10mm thick, which would add to overall width of a double door and its only available for doors up to 1981mm high.
Panel doors – Panel doors, also called stile and rail doors, are built with frame and panel (or glass) construction. It’s a basic construction of vertical and horizontal stiles and rails filled with wooden or glass panels. Stiles and rails are jointed using either Dowelled or Mortise and Tenon joints.
Moulded doors – Similar to panel doors, moulded doors are built with frame and jointed boards. Similarly all sections are joined using either Dowelled or Mortise and Tenon joints.
Flush doors – Increased in popularity in recent years. Our flush doors are built using solid chipboard (particle) core, framed around with solid wood stiles and rails and over veneered. They are usually heavier than panel or moulded doors, but provide more strength, and better thermal and sound insulation. Also, because of their (usually) completely flat surface they are much easier to keep clean.
Joints - In general, there are 2 main types of joints used in woodworking – Dowelled, and Mortise and Tenon, although there are many variations of them.
Doweled – Commonly used in carcasses and frames, although it is not the strongest type of timber joint. Dowel joint uses small piece (pieces) of timber fitted into holes in both pieces of timber. It relies heavily on glue. Modern Doors Ltd. doesn’t recommend using Doweled doors for external use.
Mortise and Tenon – Simple and strong, this type of joint has been used for thousands of years. One piece of timber is narrowed at the end and fits into a hole in the second piece of timber. The joint is then glued or wedged with small pieces of timber to lock it in place.
Type of timber/veneer, Paint colour etc.
Unfinished – Door comes completely untreated (raw timber finish) and needs to be treated accordingly to manufacturer’s instruction prior to fitting (see also Care, Maintenance and Installation section)
Bespoke internal doors:
Clear Satin – Evenly sprayed AC lacquer (2-3 coats) to protect the door, without making it completely smooth (you will still be able to feel the wood texture in certain areas).
Super Finish – 6 coats of evenly sprayed AC lacquer to protect the door, giving it very smooth and shiny finish.
High gloss finish – Multiple coats of AC lacquer or paint, polished to achieve highly reflective glossy finish (this will give a door almost a mirror effect). Please bear in mind that, this is an extensive and complex process and it will add 4-6 weeks to the normal manufacturing time.
Painted – Fully finished painted door with smooth, glossy finish (Customer to supply required RAL or Dulux colour).
Standard internal doors (where applicable):
Clear finish – sprayed finish with 3 coats of AC lacquer
Mahogany stain (hardwood doors only) – 3 coats of Sikkens Mahogany stain
Standard external doors (where applicable):
Wood stain – 3 coats of Sikkens stain available in either Light Oak or Mahogany finish
Wood paint – 3 coats of Sikkens gloss paint available in: Signal Red (RAL 3001), Signal Blue (RAL 5001) and Mint Green (RAL 6029).
Non Fire Rated Doors - 35 or 40mm
FD30 Doors - 44mm
FD60 Doors - 54mm
External Doors 44 or 54mm
FD30 and FD60 doors – To comply with Fire Regulations doors need to be of a certain thickness (44mm – FD30, 54mm – FD60) and pass relevant fire tests. To achieve that, door manufacturers use special wood treatments and additional core filling. Flush doors are built with higher density cores, making them even stronger, quieter and more energy saving.
To check whether your property requires fire doors please contact your Council or Building Inspector
Usually all 3 story buildings, buildings with converted lofts or house extensions require most of the doors to be at least FD30 certified.
Stock Items - usually 7-10 days, from the moment funds have been deposited into our acount.
Bespoke items - usually 4 weeks from the moment funds have been deposited into our account.
Orders containing Ironmongery only - usually next working day, from the moment funds have been deposited into our account
