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Best front door styles for period homes in the South East

Thinking about replacing your front door but unsure what style fits a period home in Kent or Sussex? In this post we explore classic and modern door styles including composite, aluminium, uPVC, and timber effect, and guide you to choose the perfect one to suit your property and budget.

timber front door

Choosing a front door for a period home can feel tricky. How do you balance heritage charm with modern performance? Whether your house is in Rochester, Tunbridge Wells, Hastings or elsewhere across Kent and Sussex, this post will help you find styles that look right and perform well. At House of Glass, we supply composite doors, aluminium doors, and more, so let us walk through your options.

What makes a “period style” door?

Period style doors are typically characterised by traditional proportions, elegant panel layouts, and features like stained or patterned glazing. The right door enhances kerb appeal while keeping in character with the building.

Key features to look for:

  • Sash proportions and decorative mouldings
  • Glazing with leaded or frosted details
  • Door furniture like traditional knockers or handles
  • Heritage colour palettes such as deep greens, heritage reds, navy, and others

You may also find our post on which are the best energy efficient windows helpful when considering matching glazing.

Composite doors – a popular all rounder

Composite doors are a great choice for period homes because they mimic the look of timber while offering better insulation and security. Made from a combination of materials, they are strong, weather resistant, and low maintenance.

Benefits:

  • Authentic timber appearance with no painting or warping
  • Highly secure multipoint locking systems
  • Available in a wide range of heritage colours and finishes
  • Glass panels can include patterned, frosted, or stained designs

Pair a composite door with acoustic glazing or solar control glass to enhance comfort and performance.

Want to explore different finishes and styles? Try our composite door designer to customise your ideal front door before you commit.

Launch Door Builder
heritage aluminium door

Aluminium front doors with a heritage twist

While often seen as a modern option, aluminium doors can work beautifully in period properties, especially when finished in a heritage colour or paired with traditional glazing.

Benefits:

  • Slim sightlines with high structural strength
  • Powder coated finishes in any RAL colour
  • Low maintenance and corrosion resistant
  • Can include period style glazing and panelling

Explore our range of aluminium doors and consider combining them with modern conservatories or orangery extensions for a balanced upgrade.

timber front door

uPVC and timber effect doors

For period homes on a tighter budget, uPVC doors offer great performance and can be finished to resemble traditional timber. Timber effect finishes work especially well for Victorian and Edwardian properties.

Benefits:

  • Low cost with excellent thermal efficiency
  • Wide range of woodgrain foils and panel styles
  • Optional decorative glazing and sidelights
  • Very low maintenance compared to real wood

Explore our range of uPVC doors, and consider flush casement windows or timber effect windows to complete the look.

Which style is right for your home?

When choosing a door for your period property, consider:

  • Your budget and long term goals
  • Whether the home is in a conservation area
  • Desired colour, style, and hardware features
  • Matching with existing windows and extensions

Use our quick checklist:

  • Want a traditional look with modern performance? Choose composite
  • Prefer a sleek, heritage look with durability? Choose aluminium
  • Working to a budget with a need for flexibility? Choose uPVC

Frequently asked questions

Do I need planning permission to replace my front door?

In most cases, no. As long as the door is a like for like replacement and does not alter the appearance of a listed building or property in a conservation area, permission is usually not required.

Can I install a composite door in a listed property?

Listed buildings often require specific materials or styles. We recommend checking with your local council’s conservation officer before installing a new door.

Ready to compare options?

At House of Glass, we install composite, aluminium, and uPVC front doors across Kent, Sussex, and London. All our doors come with a ten year insurance backed guarantee, and our in house team is here to help you choose the perfect style for your home.

Contact us today to get your free, no obligation quote

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