Wooden Doors for Houses: A Complete Style Guide

• 29 June 2026|
• News

Choosing the right wooden doors for your house involves far more than picking a style you like. From solid wood entrance doors to timber bifolds and French doors, this guide covers aesthetics, insulation, security, glazing and how to match door styles to your property type.

Why timber remains a popular choice for exterior doors

When it comes to external doors, homeowners have more options than ever. Steel doors, fiberglass doors and synthetic materials all have their place. But for those who want natural beauty, lasting craftsmanship and genuine curb appeal, natural wood continues to be the best choice.

Timber is a natural material with inherent insulating properties. It handles temperature changes well, offers excellent acoustic performance and, with proper sealing and upkeep, will outlast many alternatives. Unlike fiberglass or steel doors, a solid wood door develops character over time, with natural charm that simply cannot be replicated.

The full range of wooden doors for houses

Whether you are renovating a period property, building a new home or designing a contemporary extension, there is a timber door to suit. Here is a guide to the main options and what makes each one the right fit for different projects.

Timber entrance doors: the heart of your home’s entry

Your front door is the first thing visitors see. It sets the tone for your interior design and makes a lasting impression. A timber entrance door offers timeless appeal that few other materials can match.

At Lomax + Wood, our bespoke timber entrance doors are made to order. That means a perfect fit for your opening, your style and your property. Options include:

• Single or double entrance doors
• Fanlights and transoms to introduce natural light
• Sidelights for wider, grander entrances
• A wide choice of colour, finish and hardware

Every door is factory hung on heavy-duty, adjustable hinges and comes with robust locking systems as standard, including espagnolette locking, a mortice deadlock and a locking cylinder. Security and elegance, built in from the start.

For glazing, doors are double glazed with toughened Planitherm One coatings and argon infill. This keeps heat loss to a minimum and improves energy efficiency throughout the year.

Timber entrance doors are an excellent choice for period properties, listed buildings, conservation areas and new builds alike. They meet CE Marking requirements and are performance tested to BS 6375 Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Timber bifold doors: open up your living space

If you are looking to connect your home to the garden or a terrace, timber bifold doors are a striking and practical solution. They create a wide, unobstructed opening that brings in natural light and transforms the way you use your space.

At Lomax + Wood, we manufacture timber bifolds in hardwood or softwood, to any colour or design. Key features include:

• Up to eight panels opening in either direction
• Total opening widths of up to 16 metres
• Factory double glazed with 4/16/4 toughened low-e argon fill
• Internal key locking bolts for added security
• Espagnolette locking, latch and mortice deadlock as standard
• Fully weather-stripped for thermal and acoustic performance

Despite being a contemporary product, we can design timber bifolds to complement more traditional door styles. This makes them a versatile option for both modern extensions and older properties.

For curved applications, a curved top track and bottom channel can be used on a timber cill. This level of customisation is difficult to achieve with steel or synthetic materials, making solid wood a genuinely flexible choice.

Timber French doors: classic style, modern performance

Few wooden door designs are as enduringly popular as French doors. They add elegance and natural light, work well with period and contemporary properties, and offer a practical transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Our timber French doors are available in hardwood or softwood, made to order and factory hung on Nico 3D adjustable hinges. Standard specification includes:

• Open out as standard, with open in as an option
• Espagnolette locking, latch and mortice deadlock
• Double glazing with low-e argon fill
• Raised and fielded panels as standard
• Optional acoustic glass for improved sound insulation
• Fanlights and sidelight panels available

These are a particularly strong choice for conservation areas, listed properties and new build projects. Lomax + Wood have installed timber French doors across Greater London, the South East and throughout the UK. View our case studies page to see examples of our finished projects.

Single wooden doors: practical, secure and stylish

A single solid wood door is a straightforward but impactful choice. Whether used as a front door, a side entrance or a rear external door, the right design can significantly improve your home’s value and kerb appeal.

Single wooden external doors from Lomax + Wood come double glazed as standard, with toughened glass and low-e coatings. They are CE marked and meet PAS 24:2012 security standards. Options include:

• Various widths and heights
• Fanlights and sidelight configurations
• Mobility threshold options
• A wide range of hardware, including decorative door knobs and knockers

Choosing the right wood type

The type of wood used in your door affects its durability, appearance and how much maintenance it will need. Here is a quick overview of popular choices:

Hardwood: Dense, durable and naturally resistant to moisture. A popular choice for front entry doors and exterior doors that need to perform in all weathers.

Mahogany: A classic choice for entrance doors. Rich in colour, resistant to humidity and widely regarded as one of the finest types of hardwood for external use.

Oak: A beautiful, characterful option with natural charm and excellent longevity. Well suited to period and heritage properties.

Accoya: A modified softwood with outstanding durability and low maintenance requirements. Highly stable in response to moisture and temperature changes, making it an excellent choice for external applications.

Knotty alder and walnut: Less common but worth considering for specific interior design styles where natural grain and warmth are priorities.

Sustainability and responsible sourcing

At Lomax + Wood, environmental responsibility is central to our manufacturing philosophy. We source all timber used in our bespoke windows and doors with full Chain of Custody certification (FSC® or PEFC), ensuring complete traceability throughout the entire supply chain, from the forest to the finished product.

This means you can feel confident that your new door is not only beautiful, but responsibly made.

Frequently asked questions about wooden doors for houses

Do timber external doors require much maintenance?

Timber doors do require some upkeep, but the level depends on the wood type and finish. Regular sealing and occasional repainting or restaining will keep your door looking its best and protect it from moisture ingress. Accoya, in particular, is known for being low maintenance and highly stable.

How do wooden doors compare to fiberglass doors for insulation?

Natural wood has excellent insulating properties. With proper sealing and high-performance double glazing, a solid wood door can achieve very strong thermal performance. Fiberglass doors can also perform well, but they lack the natural beauty and customisation potential of solid wood.

Are timber doors secure?

Yes. Lomax + Wood doors are fitted with robust locking systems as standard, including multi-point espagnolette locking, mortice deadlocks and hinge bolts. Single wooden doors meet PAS 24:2012 security standards.

Can I have a bespoke size?

Yes. All Lomax + Wood wooden doors are made to order, so they can be manufactured to any size, with a wide range of customisation options including colour, finish, glazing, hardware and configuration.

Matching door styles to your property

Victorian or Edwardian terraced house: A timber entrance door with a fanlight and raised and fielded panels is a natural fit, complementing the period character of the property.

Georgian townhouse: Double entrance doors with sidelights and transoms suit the grand proportions typical of Georgian architecture, creating an impressive and well-proportioned frontage.

Contemporary new build: A timber bifold or flush entrance door with clean, simple lines works well with modern architecture, offering a strong visual contrast between natural wood and contemporary materials.

Cottage or rural property: A hardwood or oak entrance door with a natural finish suits the informal, organic character of rural homes, making the most of the natural charm of the timber.

Period or listed building: Bespoke timber French or entrance doors with heritage glazing bars are the right choice here, meeting conservation requirements while delivering modern thermal and acoustic performance.

Get in touch with Lomax + Wood

If you are considering wooden doors for your house, Lomax + Wood would love to help. With decades of experience designing and manufacturing bespoke timber doors across the UK, the team can guide you through every option, from wood type and glazing to hardware and finish.

Ready to get started?

Fill in the online contact form at lomaxandwood.co.uk to request a free quote or call the team directly on 01277 353857 to discuss your project.