With so many styles, sizes and finishes on the market it can be difficult to know which one is best. This guide will help you choose the right timber exterior door - giving your home maximum kerb appeal and greeting your guests with an inviting entrance.

Before you choose a new door you will want to consider the functionality of it, depending on where it will be placed - to the front or back of your property. If you’re replacing an old front door, you could choose a glazed option to brighten up a dark or small space. If you’re looking for a door for the rear of your home, a stable, French or bi-fold could be just what you’re looking for. It's always a good idea to keep in mind the style of your property, as well as personal taste.

External wooden doors: what to look for

This type of external door can be more expensive than your average door, yet are they worth the investment? We believe they uphold their popularity for these five reasons: longevity, security, strength, durability, and easily repaired. Solid timber doors will fit in with a contemporary-styled home, as much as they would a rustic environment - it’s all in the style and finish of the wooden door you choose. The natural warmth and look of this versatile material has always had great aesthetic appeal to many homeowners. This is probably because no piece of timber looks the same and can easily be tailored to suit individual styles.

Exterior solid wood doors

Solid wood external doors are manufactured using innovative engineered construction technology with a Cross Laminated Ply Foam (CLPF) core. This technique combines cross laminated timber with foam insulation - without the need for stile and rail joists. These ultra-modern front doors are finished with a hardwood veneer, and the jointless construction boasts resistance against splitting and warping.

Robust, long-lasting construction for security
High thermal efficiency - U-value from 1.5Wm2K
Fully factory finished and ready to install
Large choice of designs
Oak or grey finish
Touch-up kit included
10yr guarantee

Exterior hardwood doors

Hardwood doors are constructed from high quality, solid oak where each door will be as unique as the next, thanks to the natural difference in colouration, knotting and pattern. The stiles and rails are constructed by laminating together two 22mm sections of solid oak, which makes these hardwood external doors very structurally stable, compared to a single piece of oak. The traditional method of mortice and tenon joints also means a much stronger construction than using common dowelled joints.

Hand made from solid oak
Built to last a lifetime
Natural wood colouration and characteristics
Finish to your own taste
Benefits from ongoing care and maintenance
2yr guarantee

Fixtures and fittings

Once you’ve chosen your ideal door, you can find the latest styles and designs of door furniture to complement your theme - making your home come alive. Complement contemporary styles with clean angular lines and a sleek nickel finish, or choose a classic scroll handle for a more traditional feel.

Sealing your door

A solid wooden door can be a desirable feature to your home. It can enhance a country style theme, or be an eye-catching focal point of a contemporary abode with a lick of paint to your own design. Whichever style of timber door you choose, the benefit of good weatherproofing will see this long-lasting asset to your home become an investment for many, many years.

Prime, undercoat and top-coat

Whether you choose paint, oil or varnish, make sure it’s the correct type for exterior doors to get all the benefits from its protective qualities, such as UV protection. Giving your door several top-coats will ensure optimum durability.

Seal around your door

You can find a variety of door seals on the market, from foam rubber weatherstrips, weather bars, and brush strips to rain deflectors, and draught and rain excluders.

Aftercare and maintenance

To ward off any potential risk of rotting, check your door every few years and reapply your paint, stain, oil or varnish when necessary.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is intended as an overall introduction and is not intended as specific advice from a qualified professional. Travis Perkins aims to avoid, but accepts no liability, in the case that any information stated is out of date.

External Wooden Doors

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Which style of external door is best for me?