03 Nov 2015

Opening doors to new specification options

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Simon Johnson, Sales Director at door specialist JB Kind, draws on the firm’s 30 years of experience and shares his tops tips on how to choose the perfect doors for your home.

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Firstly, think about what style of doors will suit your home. Consider your own sense of style – do you prefer classic or contemporary design? Perhaps a mix of both would work? Whatever your design preference, consider your style inspiration and find the perfect door design for your property.

There’s no doubt that naturals are in this season and this makes wood veneers popular, with choices ranging from traditional cottage-style oak to innovative rich walnut and gorgeous grey painted finishes. If you’d rather coordinate completely with your colour scheme then you could buy a door that’s unfinished and ready for you to paint a top coat.

With plenty of door designs to choose from, there will always be one to suit your style. Another option to consider is whether you would like a mix of solid and glazed doors. It's also worth thinking about whether any would like a mix of solid and glazed doors. It’s also worth thinking about whether any of the rooms need more natural light and whether there are any spaces that would benefit from visibility between rooms.

Styles and options

Secondly, you need to narrow down the type of doors you prefer and whether they fit within your interior design theme. It could be that you love wood but that you’re looking for an innovative take on a traditional theme. If so, seek out feature grooves and unusual inlays – both of which are often used to create striking patterns and distinctive doors. For a more classic look opt for panelled designs, or if you prefer contemporary designs choose a shaker style.

Start deciding what doors you would like in the early planning stages of your project to make the most of the space you have. Traditional doors that swing open will take up part of your room when open and might prevent you from making the best use of your space. Bi-folding and pocket doors are a solution to this problem. Bi-fold doors slide to one side, taking up less than half the space of normal doors. Pocket doors save even more of your room by sliding into the cavity of your wall and disappearing all together. As these designs have grown in popularity, so has the number of styles and design options available.

Quality and value

With full projects requiring restricted budgeting, value for money is an important consideration for most. However, try not to be tempted by the cheapest designs, as they are unlikely to last. Instead, look for quality at the best price. There are many quality designs available that are simple and cost effective and that will suit multiple interior design themes.

If you’re after something a little different, or you’ve got a particular requirement, many companies offer bespoke designs that can be made in special sizes or in different veneers. If bespoke suits you, it’s even more important to plan your doors as part of your initial design concept. It’s also worth noting that bespoke doors will take extra time to craft, so finalise your designs as early as possible.

Essential extras

You will also need to budget for door furniture, such as hinges, latches and handles. Most doors don’t come with these essential components, unless you are ordering a door set which comes complete with all the door furniture you need.

Fire doors play an important role in saving lives and building regulations specify where they need to be fitted in residential properties. If you require fire doors, designs comes in many styles and sizes, so don’t worry that they will ruin your home aesthetics – they don’t need to look industrial, many include attractive glazed options and most of the time you will be able to buy the exact design that you want. Even if you aren’t required to fit fire doors, you may want to consider installing them to give you peace of mind that your family will be safe.

If you are buying replacement doors for a renovation project, do not measure the existing door. You must always base measurements on the door frame. Take three measurements inside the door frame – at the top, middle and bottom. The widest measurement determines the width of the door. When it comes to the height, measure the inside of each vertical side of the frame. The longest length determines the height required. Remember to make allowance for any floor covering. Having gathered your measurements, compare them with the standard sizes available in your chosen door style. Select the most appropriate, remembering that you can plane the edges slightly to reduce the size.

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