As professional craftsmen, we have learnt and applied joinery skills all our working lives. It is, therefore, no wonder that we believe that wooden front doors are the best option. Yes, you can opt for composite or uPVC doors, but nothing quite matches the look and feel of solid wood.
At Hinson Custom Made, we offer three door options; softwood, hardwood and engineered wood. No matter which timber we use, all doors are naturally insulating, sustainable and meet building standards for security and energy efficiency.
Each timber offers advantages and we are happy to advise on suitable options for your home. Interior and exterior doors can include double-glazed glass panels, hardware and a wide range of finishes.
Softwood Internal and External Doors
The majority of European forests are filled with softwood trees. These are typically fast-growing, evergreen and have open seed cases, such as pine cones. The speed of growth means that the rings in softwood trees are usually spread out and the grain is straight.
Newly planted trees can grow to replace those which have been harvested in decades. This makes them a sustainable construction material. This fact also means that a custom door crafted from softwoods is lower cost than a hardwood timber door.
Redwood Pine and Hemlock
At Hinson Custom Made, we use two softwoods to create bespoke doors, Redwood Pine and Hemlock. These timbers can be supplied in long lengths, which are ideal for extra-height doors. They are popular as internal doors in homes with high ceilings.
Both Redwood pine and Hemlock timbers are moderately durable and resistant to decay. These properties can be enhanced with additional protective coatings. Softwoods are widely used for a range of external applications including decking, exterior furniture, fencing and external doors. They are lightweight, stable and can be coated with treatments to increase weather resistance.
10 Timbers to Consider for your Custom Front Door - You may also be interested in:
Bespoke Hardwood Doors
Hardwoods have a different cell structure to softwoods and are usually deciduous; meaning they shed their leaves each year. They are typically slow-growing (an exception being Eucalyptus) and this results in tightly compacted rings.
Some hardwood species are at risk of becoming extinct due to the rate of felling exceeding the growth of replacement trees. Any timbers used to make windows and doors, furniture etc must come from sustainably managed forests. Your hardwood front door can be crafted from one of five timbers.
European Oak External Doors
European Oak has been a traditional British construction material for centuries and is associated with quality. It has a warm mid-brown colouration and proves a delight to work with. The strength and integrity of European Oak deliver the protection and impact that you need from a solid wood front door.
Sapele, Iroko and Idigbo Timbers
Sapele, Iroko and Idigbo timbers may be less familiar. They are not native to the UK, yet are widely grown in Africa and tropical locations. Idigbo is a pale timber with a subtle grain, Iroko is golden and Sapele has a darker tone.
All three of these timbers are renowned for being very durable and resistant to insects. They have been widely used in boat building, furniture making, flooring and are ideal for your wooden door.
Distinctive Eucalyptus
Grown across Australia, Eucalyptus is a fast-growing reddish-brown hardwood with a decorative grain pattern and distinctive rings. It is a strong, durable timber with a high oil content; boosting its resistance to rot and decay.
Engineered Timber Front Doors
Rather than solid wood, engineered timber entrance doors are made from strips of high-quality timbers, which are carefully laminated together. The lamination process adds to the natural strength and structural integrity of the door.
Sapele Mahogany, European Oak and Grandis Eucalyptus
These three quality timbers are used in our engineered wooden front doors. The outer laminate will have the same visual impact as solid wood. The laminating process advances the desirable natural properties of hardwood. Find out more in this article about the difference between engineered timber and solid wood doors.
Custom Made Front Doors
Every species of tree offers natural colour, grain and texture. Do you favour the light, straight grain of Hemlock or the dark interlocking grain of Sapele? We can advise you on the ideal timber for your custom-made front door. We craft doors to suit your style and can offer paneling options on your Redwood, Sapele or Oak door.
When we supply you with a quote, our prices will include the made-to-measure doors, including finishes and hardware. Our costs cover installation and the disposal of your old door.
Hinson Custom Made is committed to quality and we craft doors that last. Our hardwood doors come with a 35-year guarantee and softwood doors are guaranteed for 25 years.
You are welcome to book an appointment to visit our showroom or contact us on 01908 516333 to discuss your requirements.
