The
ideal look for a traditional home would have been heavy oak doors but
often a more affordable choice was staining a cheaper wood. When doors
were painted they would have been in dark colours of green and black
with edges and panels picked out in cream. Traditional style doors would
have used cast iron door furniture. Handles would often be seen two
thirds of the way up. Decorative led glass work would have been found
in the top half of the door or as a sidelight to show off the wider
hall ways.
Moderne style homes
would likely have had painted softwood doors with geometric shapes of
coloured glass, often using patterns of sun rays or chevrons. Door furniture
tended to reflect the Hollywood fashion with chrome.
1920's and 30's
Semi houses were built with the doors being on the outer edge of the
facade. This gave greater privacy than the Victorian style of putting
semi houses doors side by side.
Traditional
Style Doors
"The best
way of finding the right style of front door is to look at the other
houses in the neighbourhood. Chances are you'll see the original style
for your house, but don't try and commit it to memory always take a
photo of the other doors before you choose one for you." Channel
4 Homes
Moderne
style Doors
Internet
links for period and reproduction doors
Mongers
Architectural Salvage: Period Doors
Bygones
Salvage Doors
Scottish
Doors
Dorset
Doors
Salvo
Doors
Peco
of Hampton Doors
Internet
links for period and reproduction door furniture
Period
Iron Monger
Reminis
Period Restoration Emporium: Door Furniture
Willow
and Stone Door Fittings
The
Paint Stripper: Door Funiture and Door Handles
BBC
Homes 1930's
Useful
Links to Period Door Articles
Advice
for fitting period handles and lock settings: Scottish Doors
The
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
Bernards
Door Furniture Period Styles FAQ
The
Window Man: An understanding of the times
Fylde
Borough Council: Window, Doors and Joinery Advice
Forum
Debates
Channel
4 Homes Forum
Useful
Research Websites
BBC
Homes 1920's:
BBC
Homes 1930's
Hidden
House History
Francis
Frith Photo Archive
The
Geffrye Museum
English
Architecture: Britain Express
Looking
at Buildings: Pevsner Architectural Guides
Glass
Replacement - Sidelights on Front Door