Restore A Door – Maintaining the Heritage of Twickenham Property
Original features are at the very heart of a heritage property. Unfortunately, many property owners rush to replace period features when age starts to take its toll. At Fortis & Hooke, we think there is a better way.
The front door is a central part of any home’s façade. With that in mind, it’s important for heritage property owners to maintain their original doors wherever possible. The team at Fortis & Hooke were recently called out to a home in Twickenham, where the front door was in serious need of maintenance.
As well as the worn appearance, the customer had noticed swelling and draughts from the door. Frustratingly for the home owner, this was causing energy bills to soar as cold air swept in through the front door.
While other companies may have suggested a replacement door, our Longaevitas system allowed us to restore the original door’s appearance and function.
AUTHENTIC PERIOD STYLE
With grand buildings like Marble Hill House, Twickenham is known for its beautiful Georgian and Victorian architecture. A big part of this are the characteristic front doors, with charming panelling and iconic door windows.
That’s why it was so important for our customer to maintain their original wooden door. They wanted to uphold the traditional appearance of the house, which wouldn’t be possible with a modern replacement such as PVC.
INSPECTING THE DOOR
At the start of every project, we perform a full visual review of the problem. When we assessed the door, it was clear that it had become weathered over time. This had led to cracks in the paintwork, which allowed moisture into the timber. It had already caused a degree of swelling and, without intervention, could have developed into more serious decay.
Because of the weathering, the door wasn’t providing sufficient thermal insulation. Considering that windows and doors account for nearly almost a third of energy lost in period properties, it was important to provide a long-term solution.
A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION
It was clear that the door was in desperate need our full Longaevitas treatment. First and foremost, the door was removed and taken to our workshop, allowing us to complete work in a specialist environment. This approach also minimises disruption to the property, with a temporary replacement door fitted in the meantime.
The door was completely stripped of the existing paint, allowing us to repair any damage to the original timber before re-painting with expert precision. We also draught-sealed the door to make sure it was fully thermally efficient for the customer’s home.
To complete the job, we installed a new door handle, letter box, door numbers and locks. As well as complementing the beautiful restoration, the locks were crucial to keep the customer’s home completely secure.
Finally, we fitted the restored door back into our customer’s home, making sure they were completely happy with its appearance and function. Another original wooden door saved and – most importantly – another satisfied customer, with the whole project completed within just 14 days.