Key considerations when buying bespoke doors

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 24 October 2012 in Bespoke Doors, Internal Doors

If you’re thinking of fitting new internal doors, read on to find out more about buying bespoke doors.

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Doors may seem to be a secondary concern in the home; little more than a way of getting from one room to the next. But they will be seen and used by you and your family many times in a day, as well contributing to the overall impression of the building. As such, they should be considered a vital part of home decor and it is thus important to consider this when replacing internal doors.

Bespoke Internal Flush Veneered Walnut Door – cross directional veneer

Before you start, it is wise to check the applicable building regulations to determine whether your new doors need to conform to fire or safety standards. In this case, bespoke doors are often the best option anyway as the door frame may need to be altered to fit with the fire-preventative seal. Although carrying a premium, these doors utilise contemporary technology and as well as being safer, they have other beneficial properties such as noise-reduction.

Going back to basics, your main choices when buying regular doors for your home will probably be panel, moulded or flush. Wooden doors are clearly versatile in that they can be cut to size and sanded or painted as needed. Bespoke doors are not always needed since DIY stores will stock a range. However, many find these limited in design or quality. If you want to match the wood or finish to your existing décor, handmade may well be the best solution.

A more cost-effective option may be a moulded or flush door. As they include a man-made core, moulded doors can be a good alternative to solid oak doors and can be finished to give the appearance of genuine wood. However, they may not be as long-lasting and will struggle to replicate the feel of a solid door. Flush doors are a practical choice but again quality varies widely, from a cheap honeycomb card core to rather more sturdy chipboard. They have a relatively modern look, however and can be easier to maintain and keep clean than a panel version.

Whatever your priorities in terms of bespoke doors, it’s good to get expert advice before you start the process. Look at materials, cuts and finishes and make sure you measure the swing of your door and the width of the jamb you will need.

For more information on any aspect of door selection, please feel free to contact our friendly team.

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The latest materials for external doors

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 10 October 2012 in External Doors

External doors today require strength as well as style. Here are some of the best options when choosing the material for your door.

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Gone are the days when external doors were limited to timber and could be broken with the aid of a few hefty tools. Oak doors remain popular for their aesthetic appeal and traditional character, but for a contemporary home, you may wish to think about alternatives. The industry has responded to security concerns and now offers durable materials which require less maintenance and can therefore work out more cost-effective in the long run.

Modern Oak Front Door with Sidelight

Steel may not be your first thought for a front door; the material might seem an extreme option more suited to fire doors and industrial environments. However, steel doors are very difficult to breach and are fire-resistant, as well as easily withstanding the wear and tear which may damage other doors over the years. Costing less than other varieties, steel has also come a long way from the utilitarian designs of the 20th century and can now benefit from a surface coating of vinyl, giving the appearance of a more natural finish.

Another material option is fibreglass. These doors protect against water damage and they have the additional advantage of extra insulation. Fibreglass external doors come with a foam core and they cannot be dented in the way that steel may be. Like steel, fibreglass technology in exterior doors has moved forward in recent years and a wooden look can be reproduced with great attention to detail. They do come with a higher price tag, but spending the money up front may reduce the overall costs when you consider the longevity of fibreglass doors.

Whilst functionality is all-important to the door-buyer, it is worth thinking about design. Nothing beats solid wood for an authentic look and if you own a building with period features, it may be that this will be the most suitable material, whether it be ranch-style or Victorian window panels. Oak doors still have considerable strength and contemporary finishes are highly attractive; if you’re thinking of selling your home, this may be a good option.

Whatever you decide, getting the balance between security and design is all-important when buying external doors. Other considerations such as letter-boxes, numbers and decoration merit careful thought but when it comes down to basics, a door’s job is to protect and to insulate. For more help and advice before you start, take a look round our oak exterior door pages here on the site.

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Interior Design & Oak Doors

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 3 October 2012 in Bespoke Doors, Internal Doors

Door styles can easily be overlooked when designing and creating your living space, but it is important that the door you choose is right for you and the spaces it sits between.

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Style and trends in the interior design world are constantly changing; coming and going much like trends in fashion.

In interior design today the style of the door can be easily overlooked when it comes to designing and creating your living space, but it is important that the door you choose is right for you and the spaces it sits between. The door creates an impression long before you open it and step into the room beyond. In the past the door was just part of the structure of a house but now can be viewed as a piece of décor, designed with many different styles and materials. Here at Modern Doors we stock a large range of doors including oak doors, wooden doors, and bespoke doors, traditional and contemporary doors.

Internal Oak Veneered Door set with horizontal inlays

Home is where the heart is so ensure that the interior design meets your personal taste, when it comes to trends what you prefer should override what the neighbours/ celebrities have or desire. Be individual; make sure that when you walk into your home you feel welcome and comfortable. Also don’t forget to ensure that it is functional and relevant to your lifestyle.

In design, recently lighter and softer shades have become increasingly popular, and our doors are specifically designed to complement a range of styles for example our traditional oak doors would look ideal in pastel coloured rooms with country cottage decor. Lately interior design has seen reclaimed, rustic, refined and natural materials such as wood and stone being used in new and unique ways creating a range of fresh and innovative dynamics. Combining a traditional stone floor such as slate with softer wooden features such as the door, fireplace, bookshelves with pastel paints and floral fabric could create that rustic country cottage feel you are looking for.

Maybe you would prefer something more vibrant and visually challenging. The colourful look is not for everyone but for the extrovert it is a real opportunity to put your own style and personality into the home, be brave mix pastels with bright, choose furniture and accessories to match and compliment this brave and challenging approach to interior design.

Internal Bespoke Painted Door with Grooves

Here at Modern Doors we were particularly inspired by the craft/folk look. This approach is more Bespoke and ever increasing in popularity. For this look your décor should consist of handmade accessories, throws, cushions, unique pieces of retro knickknacks/ bric-a-brac, cute patterned floral and patchwork designs. A traditional style oak door or even a walnut door would suit this style and compliment the floral fabrics and overall organic impression.

These are just a few popular trends in interior design at the moment, there are many more, but whatever style you chose make sure that you like it and put your own personal stamp on it. Here at Modern Doors we have a large range of doors designed to suit a range of structures, styles and preferences for more information please see our website.

Tags: bespoke doors, Modern Doors, oak doors, wooden doors Permalink

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What does your door say about you?

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 19 September 2012 in External Doors, Internal Doors

Whether it’s your internal doors or your external doors, a door can say more about you than you at first realise. Psychologically, the choice of door you make can be a subconscious reflection of the type of person you are. Internal doors reveal your internal desires.

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One of the 100 most asked job interview questions, according to many reports, is ‘What colour is your brain?’ Apparently, you are supposed to have a red brain as that shows your creativity being fuelled by passionate fire. Have you ever really thought about your door though? You chose it because you liked it but does it reflect your personality more than you expected it to? Do your Internal Doors and External Doors have a distinct difference in colour and design? Is one the true you, whilst the other is the façade you present to the outside world?

Let’s see.

Traditional Front Door Painted Blue

A blue door is the most popular colour amongst the general public. According to psychologists this means what hides behind it is seen by the homeowner as a place of refuge to escape the hectic frenzy of modern life. Evoking calm oceans a blue door is a way of relaxing and keeping calm. Blue perhaps a perfect colour for an internal door leading to your bedroom.

A black door indicates power and authority. Perhaps the ideal colour for any bespoke doors showing the luxury and extravagance of your home. Alternatively, perhaps black is an ideal colour for a fire door, reflecting its strength in forbidding a fire from passing should worse come to worse.

A green door, similarly to the blue, reflects tranquillity and reflection being the alternative as a bedrooms internal door in providing a different kind of relaxing atmosphere. Green also evokes health and harmony so perhaps ideal for a modern kitchen.

A red door could be the bedroom door of the confident consumer. Reflecting both passion and excitement a bespoke door in red could inspire a late night rendezvous with its fiery connotations.

Brown is a tradition colour for external doors often being wood treated and left in a more natural state. A front door in oak reflects the psychological promise of reliability as well as being made of a truly steadfast material.

Siena Oak Front Door with Light Oak Stain

Siena – Contemporary Oak Front Door in Light Oak Stain

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Buying a bespoke door online

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 2 September 2010 in Bespoke Doors

Buying a bespoke door online is now considerably easier than it ever has been. In years gone by to buy an internal bespoke door would involve visiting many different joinery companies, discussing the materials, thicknesses, finishes and costs of such a seemingly extravagant purchase. You would often be left feeling confused, ripped off and most importantly would still be unclear as to exactly what the company would be producing for you. A full 12 weeks later after a considerable amount of chasing and leaving messages after the contracted 8 weeks time frame that you were told the door would be produced by, you would receive a telephone call informing you that your door was ready for collection.

The advent of the internet and the arrival of a few specialist bespoke door companies have made this process much more transparent and cost effective. With precise high resolution images the exact style of door including detailed specifications of materials that you are looking to have produced can be shown to you. Coupled with this are sophisticated systems that will allow you to purchase your fully bespoke door without leaving the comfort of your living room.

With often lower overhead costs associated with an internet company and the increased competition for bespoke doors, the prices of manufacturing these products have become much more competitive, as well as the time frames to manufacturer and deliver them. They are often more costly to make than a manufactured standard sized door however they do not have to cost you significantly more. For the small additional cost you will also be able to achieve the exact style, size and finish that will allow all your internal doors or indeed external door to compliment even the most sophisticated or stylish room settings.

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Sharing the knowledge

Posted by moderndoorsuk on 31 August 2010 in Other

Welcome to Modern Doors Ltd’s Blog. Buying a door may be somewhat difficult without all the specific technical knowledge about timber, doors etc. Here we will try to share this knowledge to help you choose the right doors for your place.

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