There are many things to consider when commissioning a front door so take advice from an expert to discuss the joinery and the overall design. The position (or back-set) of the handle affects the position of the locks, which in turn, must not be allowed to affect the integrity of the door's structure.

Look for reclaimed and salvaged in reclamation yards locally, where you might find a door in the right style for your house. Go armed with measurements and check that the structure of the door is sound. Anticipate doing a fair amount of work on the door, including painting and maybe glazing too.

Hanging a reclaimed door is a job for an specialist joiner, especially if there are locks to be fitted and the door needs to be trimmed to size. Ensure that the glazing is secure, use toughened glass and, if you have stained-glass, install it with security bars on the inside. For further security, it's also possible to add a pane of toughened glass behind the stained-glass panel. Reclaimed doors will also require new locks and bolts; professional advice is invaluable to get the right ones.

NEXT - CHOOSING A PORCH OR CANOPY FOR YOUR FRONT DOOR >>