1930s Internal Doors

Oak 1930s Doors

A 1930s door is a panelled period door in the style of the inter-war years, defined by its one-over-three layout: one large square panel at the top, over three slim vertical panels below. The panels are flat and the lines are clean, a simpler, lighter look than the fuller mouldings of an earlier period door. Made in oak, it keeps a 1930s or art deco home in character, and its restrained, geometric design settles just as easily into a modern room. It is one of the most versatile period styles we make, at home in a semi of the era, a newer house after a period feel, or a renovation blending old and new.

The one over three panel design

The one-over-three panel face is what marks the era. The large upper panel sits over three narrow vertical panels, giving the door balance and a quiet, geometric rhythm without the heavier detailing of a Victorian door. The panels are flat rather than raised, which keeps the face calm and the shadow lines shallow. For the fuller period look, see our Victorian doors; for a plainer, frameless recessed panel, our Shaker doors keep it simpler still. The 1930s door sits neatly between the two.

Glazed, solid or fire rated

The design is offered more than one way. Where you want to bring light between rooms, a glazed version opens the upper panel up for glass while the three lower panels stay solid, so you gain light without losing the period face. Where building regulations call for it, the same 1930s style is available as an FD30 fire door, giving thirty minutes of fire resistance while keeping the look consistent from room to room. Period door furniture finishes the door, and our door hardware pages carry nickel, brass and pewter to match a traditional scheme.

Solid Oak 1930s Doors

The range runs from solid oak through to oak-veneered doors, so you can choose the construction that suits the room and the budget. A solid oak door is the same wood all the way through rather than an oak face over a manufactured core, joined with mortice and tenon, the strongest traditional joint, so a panelled door stays square and true over its life. Because the material is consistent right through, a solid oak door can be sanded back and re-treated many times, and trimmed to fit an opening. Oak is a natural material that moves a little with the seasons, so leave a small gap for expansion when fitting.

Sizes and made to measure

The doors come in a wide range of standard heights and widths to suit most openings, each with a trimming allowance so you can ease the fit where a period doorway has shifted over the years. For an opening that falls outside the standard sizes, many designs are also available made to measure, built to your exact dimensions rather than cut down from a larger door.

Finishing your doors

Every solid oak door is supplied unfinished as standard, ready to seal to suit the room. Oak needs a finish to protect it and to bring out the grain. Use a suitable hardwax oil such as Treatex, which is made for solid oak doors, or let our oiling service do it for you before dispatch. Seal all faces, including the top and bottom edges, which are the ones most often missed. Our maintenance guide covers keeping the finish right over time.

Explore other oak door styles

The 1930s door is one of several oak door styles in the range. For plank and country designs, see our barn, ledge and brace and framed, ledged and braced doors, whose named form is the Suffolk, along with our cottage doors. Within the period range, see the Victorian and wider period doors.

For cleaner and modern lines our Shaker, Mexicano and contemporary doors keep it simpler, while our traditional doors gather the classic side together. Browse every style from the internal doors by style hub, and finish the job with matching door handles and hardware.