Recreating a 130-Year-Old Entrance with Bespoke Timber Door
Location
Edinburgh
Recreating a Traditional Entrance with Bespoke Timber Craftsmanship
An entrance that had served a home for around 130 years set a high standard for its replacement. For Mrs Rennie, the new front door needed to carry forward the details of the old while providing a carefully made, complete new installation.
Ventrolla manufactured and fitted a new timber door, frame and glazed fanlight, sourcing hardware to match the previous fittings and replicating the existing internal architraves.
Traditional Details and Practical Performance
The specification brought together carefully selected materials and discreet measures to improve the door’s everyday performance. An Aquamac compression seal was fitted to the frame, alongside a new external weather bar, to help limit draughts and provide protection at the entrance. Brass handles, a letterbox and a door knocker completed the traditional appearance, with hardware sourced to match the previous fittings. A new Yale five-lever mortice lock was also included. These details gave the new door a clear connection to the original, while introducing new materials, glazing and sealing components.
Patience and Precision During Installation
The nature of the entrance made this a more involved installation, requiring careful adjustment and attention to detail. Mrs Rennie particularly praised Paul and John for their persistence, helpfulness and professionalism throughout the work.
“Huge thanks to everyone at Ventrolla for our lovely new front door – everyone has been very efficient, attentive and professional.”
Reflecting on the installation, she added:
“It was a tricky project and not a straightforward installation and was always going to need a bit of patience and perseverance given the nature of the door, but they dealt with it all in a very professional manner, with great attention to detail and their patience, tolerance, understanding and good humour throughout was very much appreciated.”
An Entrance Made for the Years Ahead
The finished timber front door combined a new Accoya door, Sapele frame and conservation-glazed fanlight with details drawn from the previous installation.
For Mrs Rennie, the result was a door she was delighted with and craftsmanship she hoped would stand the test of time:
“We are delighted with the door and hopefully the excellent craftsmanship from everyone at Ventrolla will make this door last another 130 years, just like the old door!”
For more information on how Ventrolla can support your heritage property, visit ventrolla.co.uk or call 0800 0277 454.
Projects
Ventrolla’s obsession with bespoke timber restoration means you don’t have to settle for anything less than perfection. So perfect, in fact, we don’t expect you to see the difference. Just feel it.
