Buying Guides

Making things Simple

Buying doors and related accessories can be a complicated process for the average non-DIY expert and professionals alike. We have created these helpful guides to try and help make things a little simpler for you.

Below is a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed our experienced Doorways staff are only a phone call or email away.

CHOOSING YOUR DOORS & HANDLES – WHAT TO THINK ABOUT

1. What type of door am I looking for? – Gone are the days when a door was just for opening and closing, they are now seen as an item of furniture, and chosen correctly can create an impact, enhancing the look of your home. Think carefully about the style you want to achieve.  Your doors and fittings should complement your homes existing features, from the traditional panelled door to the more contemporary flush veneered range, the choice is endless. The right door will last you a lifetime.

2. Will all my internal doors be the same size? – No. Don’t assume all your doors are the same size & thickness – Height, width & thickness can vary from door to door.  Measure them all.

3. Will I need a fire door? – In some cases, a fire door is required in a domestic situation. For example, a door leading from your house to the garage will need to be a fire door.  This shouldn’t be an obstacle when choosing a design.  Most doors are available with a matching fire door as an option. If we can’t match the design, we can certainly match the finish to compliment your doors.  Check with our sales team for further details.

4. Will all my doors be the same colour? –This is not guaranteed.  Timber is a natural product and therefore colour can vary from door to door. Each door is in its own way unique; after all they’re not all from the same tree!!  This also applies to pre-finished veneered doors – although every care is taken to colour match at time of manufacture variations can occur.

6. What if my doors are not a standard size? – No problem.  We can offer a made to measure service for most doors.  You can even design your own!!  Contact our sales office for further details.

7. What fittings will I require? – Each door will require the following:

INTERNAL DOORS

  • Hinges
  • Handles
  • Latch, mortice lock or bathroom lock

EXTERNAL DOORS

  • Hinges
  • Night latch
  • Mortice lock or deadlock
  • Lever handles or door knob
  • Letterplate
  • Knocker
  • Chain
  • Door viewer
  • Trapper bar
  • Weather seals

8. Can I use my existing locks/latches? – Yes. There is no reason why you can’t use existing fittings if they are in good working order and the finish matches your new handles. You also need to check that they are compatible with your new handles.

9. What style of handle should I choose? There are 3 main types of handles

  • Lever on rose
  • Lever on backplate
  • Mortice knob

10. What function do you require from your handle? – Handles can operate in 3 ways

  • Latch.  A non-locking handle which would be used on most internal doors.
  • Lock.  A locking handle used when you require a door to lock with a key.
  • Bathroom/Privacy. A turn and release system for locking a bathroom door. The “Turn” is fitted inside the door as a locking mechanism and the “Release” is fitted to the outside of the door so that access can be gained in an emergency.

11. Are Doorways Oak doors made from solid Oak? – No, all our Oak doors are of engineered construction.

The benefits of engineered over solid Oak:

  • Better colour match as all door components are veneered
  • Better utilisation of timber = better for the environment, less wastage
  • More resistant to environmental fluctuations e.g. solid oak can expand in Winter and shrink in the Summer which can lead to warping

12. What is Intumescent Strip? – An intumescent strip is a component for a fire door. It is placed around the frame and is chemically designed to automatically expand when exposed to extreme heat, thus sealing the gap around the frame. This therefore contains the fire and allowing for enough time to escape.

13. What is the difference between finished and unfinished doors? – Unfinished doors are bare wood, they require treatment before you hang them. Primed have a single undercoat and will require a suitable finish. Fully finished doors are pre-painted, stained or lacquered and ready to hang. The type of door you choose will depend on your budget and the desired look you want to achieve.

DO'S & DONT's

  1. Do reduce doors equally from both sides but not excessively as this will compromise the integrity of the door and in some cases invalidate the warranty. We would recommend no more than 6mm (1/4”) either side.
  2. Do hang External doors on a minimum of three 4” hinges. We would also recommend hanging internal solid doors & glazed doors on 3 hinges.Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully on the hanging and treatment of the door. Each door is packaged with this information. We would advise that this information is retained for future reference.
  3. Do look after your doors. Future maintenance is very important if the doors good looks are to be retained over the years. For External doors we recommend sanding and recoating every two to three years.
  4. Do keep doors stored flat, dry and in a well-ventilated area.
  5. Do fully seal all 4 edges and faces of door prior to hanging. 
  6. Do inspect all doors upon receipt. Doors must be checked they are not damaged, are the correct size, finish, glass type etc prior to hanging. Once doors have been installed they are then deemed suitable.
  7. Do report any damages/missing items within 3 days.
  1. Don’t fit locks/latch etc in rail joints as this will weaken the door and may cause twisting
  2. Don’t fit doors in a newly plastered house as moisture levels will be too high. This will cause swelling or twisting of the door.  We cannot be held responsible for doors that fail due to high moisture content.