Help choosing front door colour

[Flyfisher]

The most important part of the door-painting will be the preparation, priming, and undercoating. Done properly, it should last for decades.

I'm currently talking to these people about a new door: http://www.norfolkoak.com/doors/

I quite like the sound of this bit . . . . "Alternatively we can treat your doors in our hot oil dip tank, submerging them in hot linseed oil to ensure a thorough covering. All that's left for you to do is apply your choice of top coat to provide the desired finish." . . . . which sounds like a good preparation for linseed paint.

 

[Zebra]

Interesting FF. I had thought solid oak was actually not as good as engineered - although undoubtedly more traditional - because of it being more prone to warping? That hot linseed dip though, sounds like the ultimate in luxury pampering for a door.

 

[Flyfisher]

I suspect an engineered door would be more dimensionally stable throughout the year but I reckon it's a matter of degree.

I've had two external doors made in solid wood - one in iroku, which is painted black, and one in European oak, which has an osmo polyx oil finish. The iroku one (north facing) needed a slight bit of planing after the first winter but is now fine throughout the year and the oak one (west facing) has bowed very slightly towards the bottom solid half (both are stable-type doors) but being 58mm thick it makes little difference and modern weatherproofing strips are very effective at sealing small movements.

 

[Penners]

I suspect an engineered door would be more dimensionally stable throughout the year but I reckon it's a matter of degree.

I agree that engineered oak would be more stable, but how much trouble does solid oak actually give? I confess that this is an emotional rather than a practical response, but I don't think I would like to have an engineered oak door on a traditional period property. The engineered timber would also, I suspect, cost considerably more.

I wonder whether an engineered oak door shows the edges of the laminations on any of its joints.

 

[philpjuk100]

When you get the door the right colour don`t forget a nice doormat!

 

[Penners]

I think that's rather tasteless, Phil. One of poor Zebra's cousins might have been sacrificed to make that doormat.

 

[Zebra]

I don't think I would like to have an engineered oak door on a traditional period property

I don't disagree, but I suppose with mine being on the modern extension, I didn't worry so much. It wasn't terribly costly, £270 odd, and no, doesn't show the lamination on the joins.
Anyway, more pictures of tester pots in situ in the morning, I hope you'll be online, Feltwell, my unlikely colour guru!

 

[Zebra]

What worries me about that mat, is what appears to be a patched in bit of lion in the middle!

 

[Penners]

I suspect the arrival of a steam roller, just as the lion was about to start his dinner.

 

[Feltwell]

I suspect the arrival of a steam roller, just as the lion was about to start his dinner.

Sounds like an everyday scenario out there on the Serengeti to me. Or alternatively on St Albans High Street.

Anyway, you've got to watch out for those lions you know, sneaky devils they are.....

 

[Penners]

Wonderful, Feltwell! Where is that pub?

 

[Zebra]

Another green
View attachment 1
Brick red

 

[Zebra]

Grey
View attachment 1
And a darker red

I have one which my heart is going for, another which my head wants.
Never trust either though!

 

[LadyArowana]

The last red one is my favorite of the 4, but I would probably go for a yellow or really bright red myself, but I probably only think that because I likely wouldn't be allowed either on our house and I'm just envious and over reacting :lol:

 

[Moo]

The last one echoes the roof colour - very subtle.

 

[Zebra]

Like matching hat and handbag you mean? Yes, I thought so too.

 

[Penners]

The last one echoes the roof colour - very subtle.

I like that darker red, too. The only drawback is that, according to your earlier post, it's likely to invalidate the warranty on the door.

 

[Penners]

Like matching hat and handbag you mean?

Or collar and cuffs, as the old saying goes.

 

[malcolm]

I'd go a bit bolder still. Looks like you are trying to hide the door.

 

[Penners]

Personally, I wouldn't regard a dark red door against a pale yellow wall as attempted camouflage. It's an even bolder colour contrast than black and white stripes in the Serengeti.