Internal doors

[Sonyaclegg]

We haven't any original internal doors as they were none left when the redevelopment of the house started. We would like oak doors. Had a look on the Products and Services section of this site. They have this:- Thoughts please

 

[JoceAndChris]

Edited remarks.

 

[Sonyaclegg]

SPAB?

 

[LadyArowana]

Society for the prevention of ancient buildings :lol:

http://www.spab.org.uk/

 

[tobydog]

Think of it as the RSPCA equivalent for old houses

 

[plasticpigeon]

Hello Sonya. Thank you for sharing so much of your house on this forum. It is very interesting to see the development of a much grander property than is usual, and of course the right interior is the one that you like most while keeping the fabric of the house intact. I'm a bit of a traditionalist, so I always think it is nice to try and make a place look like it did when built, or at least have the fabric of the interior consistent with the building. For my money I think the doors look a bit new, they look very nice but I guess Victorian in style. I don't know much about Jacobean, but I remember going to Aston Hall near me (albeit a long time ago) and remember the doors matching the wood paneling, so I have visions of 6 or 8 panel doors with thinner rails and styles than those in the picture. Just out of interest what kind of doors did the previous owner put in and did you ever meet with him/her to discuss a deal? If you like them they have the advantage or already being made the right size!!! Do you have door frames or do you also need the frames and architrave etc?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I'm sure they're perfectly nice doors, for the right job, but I'd be very surprised if they were considered suitable for a Grade II* Jacobean mansion. This is something else you should discuss with your conservation officer, as it's a change that will require listed building consent.

 

[tobydog]

I have to agree with PP here and say that the look a bit too contemporary / new. I think they will be at odds with all the stonework / fireplaces. The style works in the house linked below (Jacobean) but, from what I've seen, your house comes across as much more rustic. Having said that, There is a large example of an 6 panel that might suit your's better. I should add that I normally have no real clue about what goes with what :? .

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30888640.html

 

[Sonyaclegg]

We are meeting with the previous owner tomorrow to look at the doors but I wanted to look at styles and prices of new doors before we head into negotiations If the doors are not damaged, it will be far easier to get the old doors back, but not if he wants new door prices for them

 

[Penners]

I'd be very surprised if they were considered suitable for a Grade II* Jacobean mansion.

I wouldn't presume to add my amateur voice to Gareth's professional view of the likely opinions of your CO. However, from a purely personal point-of-view I must agree that those doors are going to look starkly anachronistic in such a house.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I would check, very carefully, what the previous owner actually had permission to install. If his doors are in accordance with that, then buying them from him is (almost) bound to be cheaper than having new ones made to the same specification.

I'd also take the opportunity of the last week of opening before the winter closedown, to visit Gawthorpe Hall (National Trust). Bearing in mind that it has been altered and improved by the Victorians, a good look at details such as doors, how windows and fireplaces and other stonework are treated, types of decoration, will be time well spent.

The thing is, doors are not mere “interior design”, but a fundamental part of the “bones” of a house. They need time spent to get them right - right in period, right in detail, and most importantly right in feel - so that they don’t then look wrong set against the genuine windows and genuine-ish fireplaces, and fake but "correct" (if over-grand) ceilings. What happens in between those bones can, in my view, be more a matter for personal taste (within reason).

 

[Juju]

I don't know where you live but another must-see National Trust property is the one I volunteer at It is Chastleton House in Oxfordshire, an early 17th century manor house still in its largely original condition. We have panelled doors. We close for winter on 3 Nov but are open a few weekends in Dec for Christmas. But if you go on the main National Trust website and look for the Image Database, there are amazing photos on there of Chastleton as well as many other properties.

I also own a 17th century townhouse - most of our internal doors are modern flimsy brace and ledged but we have 2 older doors - one is 4 panelled (probably Victorian or earlier - maybe even original?) and the door to the attic is probably the original brace and ledged door. We would like to replace the modern ones downstairs with panelled ones.
Juju

 

[Moo]

On the NTs Chastleton House home page there's a picture of a panelled room with a most interesting door - rather like a very chunky three-over-eight sash window with wood instead of the glass panes. It might be worth a look.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm sure Sonya has pictures of the original doors from her recent research work. I guess it will come down to what the conservation officer is happy with!!!

 

[Sonyaclegg]

I found one partial picture of what may have been an original door. It was a plank door with a large hinge. Didn't see any other door furniture in the picture. I was a bit underwhelmed! I thought the original doors might have been a bit more ornate! The doors that we are off to see tomorrow seem to follow the line of the four arch lintel above the doors with an arch at the top of the door and panels coming down the door. Please forgive the clumsy expressions. I'll learn the correct terminology as I read more about architecture and property!

 

[Sonyaclegg]

I've found a picture of one of the doors that were in the house as recent additions, not originals. Ignore the people and look to the right and there is a door.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

That's certainly closer to what I would expect than a 4-panel Victorian style door.

 

[JohnB]

Do you feel safe there? I hope you keep plenty of garlic handy :lol:.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Is Sonya aware that's a more fitting door than the one in her link?

Looks more expensive too, I can't understand the comment about not wanting to pay new prices. Sonya, I don't think you're comparing like with like - if these are bespoke hardwood doors they'd surely have cost a lot. I recently got a quote to build some hardwood double doors - glazed by Architectural Bronze Casements - 7k.

No point buying them if it turns out he installed them without permission though.

 

[Sonyaclegg]

He wants us to pay what he paid for them. I'd rather have new doors made than pay him for new doors that are not new!