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As the new year is well underway it is only right that we talk about the best door styles for 2020. We see internal doors as an important aspect to your interior design, so picking out the right to suit your property is vital to how your home appears.

When it comes to interior design for your home, we all want to find the perfect colours and combinations to make our properties stand out. Whether you are making small or big changes, updating your interior design can have a great impact on the appearance of your home. In this article, we will talk you through 8 tips you can take on board this year when enhancing the interior design of your property.

We all want to upgrade our home and make it look more appealing, however, we like to do this in an affordable way. One of the most simple and cheapest ways to improve your home appearance is by painting your oak doors. Whether you are adding a fresh coat of paint to cover up stains on external doors or just want to change the colour of your external door, painting your doors can have a great impact on the appearance of your home.

Fire doors have been installed in buildings and properties across the UK for many years with the purpose of saving lives and protecting property in the event of a fire. Now there are regulations for homes in the UK to require fire doors if they meet the set criteria by British Standards. More people are now fitting fire-rated doors in their homes as they want to feel safer in their properties for reassurance if a fire takes place.

Oak doors are very elegant and add a beautiful look to any property however like many things they are susceptible to stains and marks. In this article, we will walk you through how to clean oak doors so you can remove even the toughest of stains.

We all want our homes to look attractive and have great appeal, so we have to update and renovate our properties to continue to achieve our desired look. Home renovation can be very expensive if you are looking to make major changes like extensions or redoing your kitchen. However, there are many minor changes that will make a big difference to your home, at a much lower cost.

So, you have just bought a beautiful oak door and now you need to find the best finish to complete the look and provide protection to the oak. Picking a finish for your door can be difficult with a wide variety of oils, waxes and paints available for you to choose from. Depending on the door you have purchased different oils and waxes may provide you with a better finish

Oak doors can give any home a new lease of life. However, after purchasing a new door, it is essential to treat and maintain it to preserve its quality and lifespan. Whether you are treating a brand-new solid oak door, veneer door or even a used door, you need to take great care to ensure your oak stays beautiful and remains strong throughout its life. Treating your door will allow you

There are many options of door furniture available depending on the look you are trying to achieve. The exception to this rule is if you are looking for a cottage style effect and go for our barn/ledge and brace/antique style door. Due to the thickness of the door you are limited on what you can use. For this type of door we recommend the

  Antique oak doors are a design feature exclusive to more traditional homes. That said, many homeowners are opting for a more reclaimed look, which has meant that the popularity of these kinds of doors has increased significantly in the past two or three decades.   Why Antique Oak Doors? One of the real advantages of owning a traditional style home is the option it gives a keen interior designer to source traditional furnishings to match, which means that the traditional feel can be honoured inside and out. One such design feature guaranteed to make the neighbours jealous are antique oak doors. At UK Oak Doors we're all for the re-use and reclamation of old doors to save precious resources, but unfortunately good quality reclaimed antique oak doors are a rare thing. As any economist will tell you high demand coupled with scarcity creates a sellers’ market and prices to match. This means many designers with a fixed budget have to forego the luxury of antique oak doors and settle for a more modern door. Many new and modern doors will do the job just fine, but antique oak doors have a composition that is unique to each door, and that's a quality every designer covets to make a house feel special. It it is welcome news to many customers at UK Oak Doors that there are highly convincing reproduction antique oak doors available to them. These have two huge advantages over the original antique doors, firstly they are half the price and secondly, they are made from new wood so likely to last far longer, especially if maintained with Treatex Hardwax Oil. However, this does not come at the expense of antique design. These antique doors use new wood that has been aged to give them an entirely convincing finish, much more so than using other inferior woods and then just adding a dark veneer. Treatex Hardwax Oil The reproduction antique oak doors from UK Oak Doors are provided aged but unfinished, ready for final finishing at home in the treatment and colour of your choosing. To get the effect shown, you'll need to use Treatex dark oak hard wax oil; apply a couple of coats with a gentle sanding in between and then for the final touch apply a layer of clear matt Treatex over the top to make it super smooth and ultra-durable. On the antique effect barn doors, the ledges are cut to random widths, precisely as original antique doors were a hundred years ago. This means your doors will look better for longer and are indistinguishable from genuine articles.   Since UK Oak Doors introduced the reproduction antique effect oak barn doors, they have been extremely popular and given that the customer is paying half the price for these doors leaves more money to spend elsewhere which can only be a good thing. If you have any questions about antique doors or any of our other products, then give UK Oak Doors a call today on 01455 565 565 where one of our helpful sales team will be happy to help. Or better yet, why not visit our showroom to take a look at all of our products in person. Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change.

To help ensure the neatest and most professional finish UK Oak Doors supply everything you need to accompany your new door. Not only do we have a wide range of fixtures and fittings finished in traditional ironmongery or designer styles, but we also supply the oak frames and door linings. Door Frame vs Door Lining   We are often asked, “What's the difference between a door frame and a door lining?”. Well, quite simply a door frame is for external doors, and door linings are for interior doors. Purchasing a door lining flat pack for an internal doorway means the three pieces (two uprights and one overhead piece) can be trimmed down to fit the existing doorway. UK Oak Doors supplies them in standard sizes (2 x 2.1m uprights and 1 x 1.1m overhead) meaning there is plenty of room for you to cut to size perfectly and ensure a tight fit. Also included in the kit are three additional 'door stopper' pieces for you to position accordingly. Door linings from UK Oak Doors are made from the most beautiful European oak and kiln dried for the best possible protection against warping once accompanied by something like Treatex Hardwax Oils. A significant advantage to our door linings are the movable door stoppers. The door stoppers are the pieces of wood usually near the centre of the linings that meet the door when it is closed. By having movable door stoppers, you can adjust the depth to which the door shuts inside the doorway. This flexibility can be a real advantage in some builds. Why Buy from UK Oak Doors? Another reason to buy door linings from UK Oak Doors is to guarantee a matching finish with the new door. The linings are supplied unfinished allowing you a choice of finishes, in the same way that our internal doors are supplied sanded down. This is an excellent way for you to match everything with the same finish. While it may seem worthwhile to sand down an old door frame, the finished look will never be as perfectly twinned as a door and linings from the same supplier using the same wood supply. UK Oak Doors sell traditional doors like the 'Victorian 6 Panel' and designer doors like the 'Contemporary Door' in solid oak with substantial savings against other suppliers. This means you can afford to get your doors and linings from the same supplier without having to sacrifice quality. If you have any questions about door linings or any of our other products, then give UK Oak Doors a call today on 01455 565 565 where one of our helpful sales team will be happy to help. Or better yet, why not visit our showroom to take a look at all of our products in person. Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change.

A classic example of a door that is chosen to suit a certain style of property that is experiencing a contemporary revival in all types of home is that of the ledged and braced door. Ledged and braced doors have been common in British homes for hundreds of years due to their simple construction. A ledged and braced door can be made from a few vertical planks of equal length with horizontal 'ledges' across them to hold them together.

Solid oak wooden doors have been used in traditional and expensive buildings for hundreds of years, but these days purchasing a door in oak, maple, walnut or beech is seen as an investment for the long-term

Many towns and villages have buildings that don’t meet the criteria for statutory listing, but they are of historical significance to the local area. They could be relatively recent 20th-century buildings or even street furniture and everything in between.

Now the festive period is over; we've got a surefire way to beat the January blues with our 1930’s oak door promotion. We offer an excellent range of 1930s internal doors designed to provide a wonderfully nostalgic feel for anyone looking to give their home a period look without breaking the bank. The meticulous flat panels and stylish line of 1930's style doors are a real throwback to the doors from the art deco period.   Solid Oak 1930s Style Doors RRP: £199.95 £189.95 Description: This classically styled 1930s solid oak door is a wonderful option if you’re looking to add some sophisticated finishing touches to your home. Each door in this range has been created from multiple pieces of oak, which means you can see the natural colour tones and unique characteristics of the knots and grain markings. The solid oak 1930s style door adds personality and showcases all the features you’d associate with the 1930s, such as three vertical panels, which enable you to capture the look of feel of the period. Historically, doors like this would've been most commonly made from pine wood and were often painted white. This style, however, has been expertly crafted from solid oak using time-honoured techniques, elevating the look of the product so you can proudly display the natural beauty of the oak for all to see.   1930s Style Panelled Veneer Door RRP: £125.95  £115.95 Description: This traditional 1930's style panelled veneer oak door is the perfect opportunity for a homeowner to add a touch of chic individuality to their home interior. It’s also ideal for those who may wish to add a time-honoured feel to a modern dwelling. A highly distinctive 1930s interior door, the traditional oak construction truly encapsulates the simple, but unmatched authenticity of 1930s design. This door will really add a nostalgic wow factor to your home interior.   1930s Cambridge Fire Door   RRP: £179.95  £169.95 Description: People often assume that style and safety aren’t compatible. But that myth is busted the moment you set eyes upon the 1930s Cambridge fire door. Beautifully intertwining rugged protection and delicate design features, the Cambridge proves that form and function can be achieved in one package. The Cambridge oak fire door boasts an incredible safety rating to help you protect those things in life that mean the most. The design is prominent enough that it can either act as the centrepiece to any room or fade into the background for something a little more subtle. When you choose the Cambridge, you'll have a beautiful door with an excellent safety rating; leaving you safe in the knowledge that your home looks great, and your family are well protected.   Cambridge 1930'S 1 Light Glazed Veneer Door   RRP: £169.95  £159.95 Description: The Cambridge 1930's one light glazed veneer door comes unfinished and pre-glazed with a frosted glass panel to allow light flow, yet maintain a certain level of privacy. The 6mm laminated glass also offers great strength and, as is with standard with the Cambridge range, they have substantial 18mm lippings on each side. Because the Cambridge comes unfinished, it gives you the opportunity to create either a complimentary or contrasting look, which is why the Cambridge is absolutely perfect for any interior style and taste. All of our doors have been manufactured using high-quality materials which provide fantastic strength and long-lasting durability, and the Cambridge is no different. The door will also maintain its beautiful appearance and natural wood grain look for years to come.   We run a new promotion each month, so if you're interested in any of the products we've featured in this blog or any of the other savings we have across our ranges, then be sure to act quickly as we only offer these savings for a limited time. If you have any questions about any of our products, then give UK Oak Doors a call today on 01455 565 565 where one of our helpful sales team will be happy to help. Or better yet, why not visit our showroom to take a look at all of our products in person.

Whatever subject you can think of, there are probably dozens of different myths and inaccuracies that many believe to be true –  most of these are entirely harmless. But, when you’re talking about fire doors, myth and misconception could very easily put lives in jeopardy. Fire doors can often be the last barrier between yourself and a fire, and one which could potentially turn into a lifesaver. In this blog, we’re hoping to dispel some of the most dangerous myths surrounding fire doors and reaffirm those which are true. What is a Fire Door?  A fire door is one that has been manufactured and fitted to exact specifications. FD30 is the most common form of fire door, and providing it is installed correctly by a professional carpenter with the right ironmongery and fittings, will stand firm against flames and smoke for up to half an hour. “Am I Required to Replace Every Door In My Home With a Fire Door?”   No, standard doors are absolutely fine. In most cases, installing a fire door is a matter of personal choice that offers added peace of mind. If you are considering installing one, you will need to consider the following though: Inspect the doorframe. FD30 rated fire doors are typically 10cm thicker than a standard internal door. Fire doors are nothing more than thick planks of wood if they aren’t fitted correctly. You should trust only an experienced carpenter with knowledge on fire doors to fit them. Close your doors fully when you go to bed or leave the house – it's imperative not to prop them open for obvious reasons “Does Every Property Need a Fire Door?” As mentioned above, whether or not to install a fire door is up to you, if you're undertaking a renovation or conversion – your contractors will generally be able to advise you whether or not you need them. But there are a few instances where they are necessary: If you have a door leading into the main house from a garage in a two storey building. If you live or are renovating a three storey home, then any door leading from a staircase and into a room must have fire doors. Common Fire Door Myths   Myth #1: A Standard Door With Flame Proof Paint is a Fire Door… X Wrong There’s no conceivable way that painting alone would turn a standard door into one recognised by industry bodies such as the British Woodworking Federation. Each fire door is carefully made up of approved materials and components. Myth #2: It’s A Tenants Responsibility to Be Educated on Fire Doors  X Wrong If you are a landlord and you’re renting a property out to tenants, then you are the ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform Order of 2005, which means that you’re the responsible party for the people living in the property. Research undertaken during Fire Door Safety Week shows that over half of tenants living in flats have no idea as to the identity of the responsible person in their building. If, as a landlord, you don’t have the required skills or knowledge, then you must appoint someone who does – pleading ignorance is a dangerous game to be playing where human lives are concerned. Myth #3: I Shouldn’t Place Any Items In Front of The Door, Even If They Are Light and Manoeuvrable ✓  Correct Very simply, there should be absolutely no obstruction directly in front of or leading up to the door. In case of a fire, you need to be able to move quickly; smoke and flames could be hampering your visibility and tripping over an item in front of the door could have disastrous consequences. Myth #4: The Gap Between The Door And Frame Doesn’t Matter  X Wrong Although there is a gap between the frame and the door on standard doors, the perimeter around the edge of the fire door is absolutely crucial in the prevention of smoke and fumes passing through to the other side. On a fire door with smoke seals, this gap should only be the same as a £1 coin (about 3mm). The gap between the base of the door and the floor can be larger at 8mm, but ideally, you shouldn't see any light under the door. Always check your doors fire certification for exact measurements. Myth #5: I Can Find Everything I Need to Know From My Fire Door Accreditation Certificate ✓  Correct Every fire door currently on sale must have a current independently accredited test certificate. This informs the buyer of the door’s fire rating, test criteria and manufacturing conformity. It also shows that the door’s components meet the required performance and safety guidelines, along with critical installation information. Look for a label or plug certification mark; you can't verify that the door is fit for purpose without one. Myth #6: You Can Fit Any Metal Lock On The Door X Wrong Metal gets hot very, very quickly and once it's exposed to enough heat, it can go from becoming the strongest element of the door to the weakest in the blink of an eye. This is why it's so important to purchase fire tested ironmongery. Further Fire Myths Myth: Flames Cause Most Deaths X Wrong While it's clear that the flames of a fire are incredibly dangerous, it is not right to suggest that they are responsible for the most casualties. The thick, dense clouds of black fumes and toxic chemicals are far more dangerous.     Whether it’s the smoke that restricts oxygen levels leading to suffocation or the toxic fumes from burning materials entering the lungs, it's the most common reason for loss of life when a fire does break out. Myth: People Can’t Always Smell Smoke In Their Sleep ✓  Correct People often make the mistake of assuming that they’ll be woken by the smell of smoke. This isn’t the case – more often than not, people that do wake up do so when it’s too late, which is why a smoke detector is absolutely crucial. Although fires between midnight and 11 am are less likely to happen, statistics show that the fatality rates during this period are higher than any other period of the day. Myth: Once Smoke Detectors & Fire Alarms Are Fitted They Must Be Maintained ✓  Correct Once your detectors and alarms are installed, it's easy to neglect them. While having them installed is the right course of action, they are utterly useless if they aren't maintained properly.       Testing your alarms regularly is especially important if, like most of us, your equipment is battery powered. They were 326 fire-related deaths in the UK during the course of 2016/17, and by-and-large these figures have dropped since 2009/10, but it’s thought that many of these fatalities could well have been prevented.   At UK Oak Doors, our range of fire doors and accessories are designed to provide the protection and peace-of-mind that you need when you’re protecting those things that mean the most. If you have any questions about fire doors or any of our other products, then give UK Oak Doors a call today on 01455 565 565 where one of our helpful sales team will be happy to help. Or better yet, why not visit our showroom to take a look at all of our products in person.   Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change

Winter in the UK can be quite unforgiving at the best of times, but with early forecasts suggesting that this winter could be one of the harshest on record, it's essential to protect your home.

People selling or searching for a new home sometimes come across the phrase ‘kerb appeal’. Initially coined by American realtors, it’s now beginning to pop up more frequently in the UK. But, what is kerb appeal? Kerb appeal is the presentation of a home's exterior from the roadside. The idea of kerb appeal is to attract the attention of passers-by (even if they’re not looking to buy a house). This is because the first thing anyone sees of a property is the exterior of the home and the surrounding garden. It’s an old saying, but it stands true: you only get one opportunity to make a first impression. Making some small but significant changes to the exterior of your home will increase kerb appeal and likely improve your chances of finding the right buyer. Boosting That Kerb Appeal Any good estate agent or home valuation expert, when asked about increasing resale value, will likely advise you to first concentrate on your exterior. This includes things like the state of your front garden, the presentation of the driveway and most importantly your doors and windows. Consistency is an unequivocal signal to potential buyers about your personality and the likely condition of the home. If you put in the extra effort into ensuring your new doors and windows match to form some kind of palatable design and colour scheme, potential buyers are more likely to assume that you’ve looked after the property. As we’ve mentioned doors and windows are the first thing people will see, but they’re more than mere cosmetic tools; they can live long in the memory, mainly if the paint is peeling off the windows sills and the door is scuffed and dirty. A little effort goes a long way. Doors A beat-up old door is a sure fire way to scare a potential buyer. After all, if your door looks as though it’s been through the wars, what are people going to think? If they haven’t taken the time to look after something as simple as the front door, what other things have been neglected? That’s what. Doors are potentially one of the most underrated aspects of any home. They have the ability to create a physical and psychological barrier between us and an increasingly hectic world. But, how often do we really consider how our exterior doors look to the outside world? When beginning the process of selling our homes, it’s probably the case that we spend more of our time considering the interior aspects of the property. However, just as the interior can make or break a sale, so can the exterior. In fact, two-fifths of potential property sales fall through due to a buyer who isn’t convinced and finds another property. An external door should be a portal that hints of things yet to come, and if yours is not up to the mark, then no one will be expecting all that much on the other side. First things first, paint the front door and modernise any outdated ironmongery. Usually, people will choose a colour that contrasts with the brickwork to give the door a beautiful colour pop. Replace tired house numbers with bright and modern updates and install bright light fixtures. Brass door numbers look lovely in full view of the sun which gives off a clean, modern vibe and the sense that the homeowner is one who is concerned about the look of their home (an added benefit of course, is that the house is easy to find). Plus, adding new light fixtures which light up the door at night is an excellent way to ward off potential intruders. Windows  Of course for maximum kerb appeal, you may wish to overhaul your window structure entirely; bite the bullet and buy new fixtures. But, sometimes giving the windows and the frames a good scrub is really all you need. There's nothing more appealing to potential buyers than when the sunlight glistens off the windows – it's all about perception. Be sure to do the same on the inside as well. Finger marks, paw prints and other grease tend to leave scummy marks on window panes; especially prevalent when you’ve got little people and pets running around. Landscaping   Even if your front garden is only a small space, you can still plant some greenery or arrange some flowers in a bed or a pot. Even some hanging baskets or planters add just a little touch of warmth. Especially in the spring and summer when birds, bees and butterflies are doing their thing. You don’t need to be an Alan Titchmarsh; there are plenty of plants and flowers out there that can just be planted and left there with minimal input. You might also consider planting a holly or ferns to ensure a splash of green remains all year round. Entrance Ways An excellent entrance way really is a must. Dustbins and overgrowing plants in the front garden are often just a side-effect of a busy life, but it’s important to take a little time to keep things looking smart. The occasional lawn mow (where appropriate), trimming back of plants and moving dustbins to an area where they can’t be seen isn't a massive undertaking, but it will really add to your properties kerb appeal and will give anyone walking up to the front door the impression of a well-kept property.   First impressions are everything, so if you can spend that little extra time to tidy your exterior to keep it spic and span, you’ll leave a potential buyer wanting to see and know more. So, if you need a helping hand with your door selection to increase kerbside value, then give UK Oak Doors a call today on 01455 565 565 where one of our helpful sales team can help you make your choice. Or better yet, why not visit our showroom to take a look at all of our products in person.

We all associate our homes as our safe place, once we close the front door, we can block ourselves from the world and recharge and relax for a new day.