Preservation in Ocean Grove

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Open a new door

Dear Miss Victoria Anna,
Help! I can’t find a standard door to replace my front door. - Claire La Port

Claire - Complimenting the importance of front porches in Ocean Grove, front entrances are generally impressive and inviting. Magnificent shapes, carved wood details, glass panels and ornate moldings are common. Especially characteristic are arched double leaf doors. While specific details about the size and shapes of front doors and their surrounds depend on the style of your home, there are a few guidelines to consider when replacing your doors.

The super short version of what is appropriate is that the original size, shape, and location of the original doors should be maintained. Likewise, the original design and placement of transom lights, fan lights, sidelights, hardware and trim should also be maintained.

Many Victorian doors are larger than modern stock doors. If at all possible, a homeowner’s first choice should be restoring their original door. Because of the thickness, strength and insulating properties of older wood doors, this is often a feasible option. If a door can’t be restored, a homeowner should strongly consider having a custom door built to replicate the original. When this is done, the important characteristic proportions of the front façade are maintained. Often the cost of the door is little or no more the cost of reframing for a stock door.

Most Victorian front doors had a significant amount of glazing. Today it is recommended that at least 50% of a door be glass. The lower half of the door can have traditional square or rectangular panels. Cross buck patterns are Colonial, not Victorian. The historical glazing patterns should be achieved by the use of divided lights not snap in grills.

The headers on a door should reflect historic proportions by being either arched or square. Moldings should also retain their historic width and profile.

French doors with divided lights are appropriate for other entrances into a home such as from a patio or balcony. Sliding glass doors should never be substituted for French doors.

Since a home’s front door is so inviting, it should not be hidden or distorted by an inappropriate screen or storm door. These doors should be a simple frame construction with primarily screening or glass. The sparing use of simple Victorian decorative elements can be considered. Obviously, these doors should match the size and shape of the main door.

Wood is by far the best choice for doors. Painted metal doors of appropriate design are acceptable but are prone to corrode in the salt air. Vinyl clad doors may be considered. Screen and storm doors should not be unfinished aluminum.

Finally if there is an existing garage door that needs replacing, it should be replaced with a “carriage house” design door. While these can be overhead, swing or folding doors, they usually have solid wood panels or tongue and groove facing. Windows with divided lights can also be incorporated into the design.

Originally most doors were stained or varnished. It is still most appropriate to use natural wood finishes on a front door. Screen and storm doors should match the color of the main door. The moldings and crowns around doors, transoms, sidelights, etc. should match the window trim color. This is most often a darker color than the main body of the house. Many of the “Leaded Glass Doors “currently found in many of the home improvement store are not Historically correct. By contacting the HPC office photos of appropriate doors can be found.

By following these simple guidelines and researching the specific recommendations for the particular style of your home, you can create a wonderfully inviting entrance into your charming home.

Sincerely yours, Ms. Victorian Anna

– Posted 1/6/05