Bespoke Front Doors
MADE TO MEASURE
Call: 020 8643 6421
Bespoke Front Doors
Call: 020 8643 6421
If you are considering replacing your period front door, you have probably come across conflicting advice about timber.
Some people recommend hardwoods such as oak or sapele, while others point towards traditional softwoods. In reality, if you want a period front door that looks right and performs properly for decades, the choice is far clearer than it first appears.
This guide explains why Accoya timber has become the preferred option for high quality period front doors, and why other materials so often fall short.
Period front doors are exposed to the British weather all year round. Rain, frost, ultraviolet exposure, and constant expansion and contraction all place pressure on the timber.
Many homeowners do not realise that different timbers behave very differently in external conditions. Hardwoods such as oak and sapele may sound like the premium choice, but they have a major weakness. Their end grain is highly porous and absorbs moisture readily.
Once moisture enters the timber, swelling and shrinkage begin to happen unevenly. Over time, this can lead to warping, twisting, poor alignment, gaps around the frame, draughts, and a door that no longer closes or seals as it should.
Untreated softwoods tend to fare even worse, as they are more vulnerable to rot, insect attack, and regular weathering unless they are constantly maintained.
Accoya timber solves these problems in a very different way. It begins as sustainably sourced radiata pine and is then modified through a process known as acetylation.
During this process, the timber is treated using acetic acid, which changes the wood at a cellular level. This greatly reduces the timber’s ability to absorb moisture and makes it far more stable in external conditions.
The result is a material that offers the strength, durability, and reliability needed for a front door, without the common movement and distortion associated with many traditional timber options.
For a period front door, that means a better fit, improved long term performance, and far less risk of warping or swelling over time.
If you look at respected period door manufacturers, you will notice a common theme. The more established and quality focused makers tend to use Accoya for their external doors.
This is not simply a marketing angle. It reflects years of experience and the practical reality that external joinery needs a timber that can remain stable in all seasons.
When a period front door is being made to a high standard, the last thing anyone wants is for the material itself to become the weak point. Accoya gives manufacturers and homeowners far greater confidence in the finished product.
Accoya is not the cheapest timber option, but the value becomes much clearer when you look at long term performance rather than upfront price alone.
Its benefits include a fifty year wet rot guarantee, strong thermal performance, excellent dimensional stability, and lower maintenance requirements than many alternatives. In simple terms, it is built for longevity.
That matters when you are investing in a handcrafted period front door. A better material does not just protect the door itself. It helps protect comfort, energy efficiency, security, and appearance over the long term.
Hardwoods such as oak, sapele, and teak: These can look attractive and traditional, but they are more prone to movement, warping, and regular maintenance when exposed externally.
Untreated softwoods: These are generally more vulnerable to rot, insect damage, and weathering, making them a poor choice for a front door expected to last.
Lower-grade Accoya products: Some doors may use Accoya timber but compromise elsewhere in design, finish, or hardware. Material quality matters, but so does the standard of manufacture.
Well-made Accoya period front doors: A properly designed and manufactured Accoya door, supplied with the correct frame and quality ironmongery, offers outstanding durability with minimal fuss.
If you want a period front door that looks right, performs reliably, and avoids the common problems associated with other timbers, Accoya is the sensible choice.
It addresses the issues that most often cause trouble in external joinery, including moisture absorption, movement, warping, and maintenance demands. That makes it particularly well-suited to period properties, where appearance matters just as much as long-term performance.
The next step is to focus on design, whether that is Victorian, Georgian, or another style appropriate to your property. Once the design is right, using the right timber gives the whole project a far stronger foundation.
If you would like advice on which style best suits your home, or how Accoya performs in conservation areas, we are always happy to help guide you through the process.
Accoya carries a fifty-year wet rot guarantee from the manufacturer, and its stability means major structural issues are uncommon. With a well-made door and proper installation, long-term performance is one of its biggest strengths.
If you are weighing up timber options for a new period front door and want straightforward advice, we are always happy to help. Get in touch today!
Yes. Accoya is real timber and takes paint exceptionally well, making it an excellent choice for an authentic period front door finish.
Usually, far less often than many hardwood alternatives. Because Accoya is much more stable and does not absorb moisture in the same way, paint systems tend to last longer and the door is less prone to cracking or movement.
Yes. Accoya is genuine timber, so it is often well-suited to conservation area requirements. As always, the design and detailing of the door matter as much as the material itself.
It can be comparable to quality hardwood options, but it often represents better long-term value because maintenance demands are lower and the risk of movement-related problems is reduced.
Phil Novell is the founder of The Period Front Door Company and has spent more than 20 years working with traditional timber windows and doors in period homes.
After building “Novells Sash Windows”, a successful sash window company serving homeowners across London and Surrey, Phil saw that many period properties still had draughty or poorly fitted front doors that didn’t match the character of the building.
The Period Front Door Company was created to provide a better solution.
By developing a refined range of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian front doors, Phil aims to give homeowners a beautiful, well-built entrance that suits their home’s architecture and performs for decades.