Replacement front door

[Yukster]

I'm looking to replace my front door and I'm interested in getting a reclaimed door for my Victorian property. I've come across this 1930s door that is made of pine and feels very solid and heavy. Dimensions are 800 x 2035 x 57. It isnt glazed. How much should I expect to pay for a door like that?

 

[LadyArowana]

Another question is how much is it going to cost to get it glazed and all the door furniture installed. Sorry I can’t help on the “what shoild I pay” aspect, it always comes down to how much you want it vs how much they’ll accept to let it go, and my negotiating skills are zero anyway.

 

[Yukster]

Another question is how much is it going to cost to get it glazed and all the door furniture installed. Sorry I can’t help on the “what shoild I pay” aspect, it always comes down to how much you want it vs how much they’ll accept to let it go, and my negotiating skills are zero anyway.

Thank LadyArowana. I am aware of the additional cost for door furniture, and that there's haggling room here. My negotiating skills are OK but any negotiator knows, it helps to know what one is aiming for....

 

[malcolm]

There is a place in Bedford selling old doors that have been stripped. I think I paid £120 or so 10 years ago for an exterior door but it wasn't a front door. I would guess £200 ish. Maybe a little less if it doesn't come with the stained glass.

 

[Cubist]

That pattern of external door is very common and is available both new and reclaimed. A google search will find many examples of new doors of the same/similar design and provide you with some guidance concerning pricing and installation costs. The same search will also provide you with some data regarding the sort of prices some reclamation yards are asking for reclaimed doors - mostly extortionate! I've seen some where the asking price is over £450.

If you're determined to go down the reclaimed route you need to understand that the various old hinge and other furniture rebates and holes may pose significant difficulties during installation, larger glazed areas represent a security hazard in some urban areas areas bit the greatest risk is that you're going up against a seasoned haggler - always ask them for their price before you even consider mentioning a number and always pitch your reply at 25%, or even less, of their ask.

 

[Yukster]

That pattern of external door is very common and is available both new and reclaimed. A google search will find many examples of new doors of the same/similar design and provide you with some guidance concerning pricing and installation costs. The same search will also provide you with some data regarding the sort of prices some reclamation yards are asking for reclaimed doors - mostly extortionate! I've seen some where the asking price is over £450.

If you're determined to go down the reclaimed route you need to understand that the various old hinge and other furniture rebates and holes may pose significant difficulties during installation, larger glazed areas represent a security hazard in some urban areas areas bit the greatest risk is that you're going up against a seasoned haggler - always ask them for their price before you even consider mentioning a number and always pitch your reply at 25%, or even less, of their ask.

Thanks, I'll do a search as you suggest.

Could you possibly forward the url of a couple of dealers, preferably in London who sell this or similar door new or reclaimed. I'm not set on a reclaimed door.

I asked about the security risk but it was dismissed. It seems like a lot of houses if not the majority have glazed front doors so people dont seem to mind or are not aware. Thanks for making that point.

 

[Cubist]

Sorry but I would never suggest a supplier of reclaimed architecture with whom I have not done business personally. There are plenty of organisations that provide suitable doors such as the one you're looking at that maintain a strong on-line presence and whose credentials and trading practices and performance you can verify directly.

 

[Yukster]

Sorry but I would never suggest a supplier of reclaimed architecture with whom I have not done business personally. There are plenty of organisations that provide suitable doors such as the one you're looking at that maintain a strong on-line presence and whose credentials and trading practices and performance you can verify directly.

I understand. I was asking about what suppliers came up in your search when you came across same/similar door, not so much a recommendation. Great if you're happy to share but I understand if not.

I don't mind if it's reclaimed or new. Can you help with a new door supplier who might do a door like in my post?

 

[Cubist]

I think your best option is to check out what is available in some of your local mainstream outlets such as Travis Perkins, Wickes and the like. In terms of reclaimed doors a search on architectural salvage/reclamation yards in your area should get some local yards you can visit in person.

 

[fernicarry]

The door in the first picture looks in awfully good condition to be knocking on (see what I did there?) 100 years old. The cut outs for the locks and letter flap look like brand new wood.

Reclaimed doors can be a right pain in the proverbial to fit. The will have been trimmed and planed to fit their original position and probably will have been adjusted over the years as hinges drooped and the wood moved around with the seasons. Almost certainly they will no longer be square or flat. Not impossible to overcome but a lot of work. I spent many hours repairing and adjusting a pair of reclaimed french doors. Only really possible because I had an empty opening and I could build the frame to suit the doors. They are a thing of great loveliness, if I say so myself, but they sorely tested me.

You do get better quality wood and nicer details with reclaimed but I'd make sure I had someone willing to go through the pain of fitting it lined up before committing to buy.

 

[Yukster]

The door in the first picture looks in awfully good condition to be knocking on (see what I did there?) 100 years old. The cut outs for the locks and letter flap look like brand new wood.

Reclaimed doors can be a right pain in the proverbial to fit. The will have been trimmed and planed to fit their original position and probably will have been adjusted over the years as hinges drooped and the wood moved around with the seasons. Almost certainly they will no longer be square or flat. Not impossible to overcome but a lot of work. I spent many hours repairing and adjusting a pair of reclaimed french doors. Only really possible because I had an empty opening and I could build the frame to suit the doors. They are a thing of great loveliness, if I say so myself, but they sorely tested me.

You do get better quality wood and nicer details with reclaimed but I'd make sure I had someone willing to go through the pain of fitting it lined up before committing to buy.

I'll be having a door frame made. The door in the pic needs to be trimmed a tiny bit to fit the opening. Not sure of that's a blessing or not.