Timber doors have been fitted to homes all over the world for hundreds of years. Many styles and types have been fitted over the years from plain plywood to intricately carved paneled doors.
The type of door that is fitted to the front of your home will very much depend on the architectural style of the house design. For example if the design is Victorian the front door should be in keeping with the original design period. A Victorian door generally is a wooden framed door with four or six raised and fielded panels. A plastic PVC door would look totally out of place in this instance.
A timber front door is still a popular choice. Doors are not generally made from solid wood much these days. Many doors made in the past from solid wood had a tendency to warp and twist, depending on the moisture content and became poor fitting and therefore draughty. Wood being a natural material will absorb moisture from the environment making the timber swell. If the conditions change, to become much dryer, the wood will dry out very quickly and therefore will shrink. This constant movement results in a door that is unstable. Of course regular maintenance of the door, i.e. maintaining the paint or stain finish, will reduce the amount of moisture that the door will absorb and extend the life of the door.
If the door is beyond repair and needs replaced, a new wooden door is still a first-rate choice. Modern wood doors are engineered, which is a relatively new process that produces doors that are more stable in many wood species. If your budget can stretch to it, consider a pre-finished wooden door. These doors are painted under factory conditions and produce a higher quality product that does not require repainting for many years.
If you are looking for a change and a maintenance free door then PVC front doors may be a solution, but make sure you consider the original architectural styling of the house and the possibility that a PVC door may not be suitable.
Tags: pvc front doors, timber front door