Replacing Internal Doors During a Refurbishment: 9 Things to Decide Before Ordering
Internal doors are often treated as a finishing detail during a property refurbishment. Homeowners spend considerable time choosing kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and paint colours, while decisions about doors are sometimes left until the carpentry stage.
However, internal doors have a significant influence on the appearance, functionality and safety of a property. Their proportions, materials, ironmongery and relationship with the surrounding joinery all contribute to the finished interior.
In older London properties, replacing doors can be more complicated than ordering a standard size from a supplier. Existing openings may be irregular, frames may be damaged, and previous alterations can mean that different rooms have different door heights and widths.
We usually order doors through Doordeals and fit ironmongery from Ironmongery Direct, which keeps handle, hinge and lock specifications consistent across every door in the property.
Before ordering new internal doors, it is worth resolving the specification properly. Doing so can prevent unnecessary alterations, additional carpentry costs and delays towards the end of the refurbishment.
1. Decide whether the existing doors can be repaired
Replacement is not always necessary, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian properties where original panelled doors may contribute significantly to the building's character.
An existing door might appear beyond repair because of damaged paintwork, loose joints, missing mouldings or poorly fitted ironmongery. However, some of these defects can be corrected through careful carpentry, preparation and refurbishment.
Original solid timber doors may also have proportions and detailing that are difficult to reproduce using standard modern products.
Before deciding to replace every door, assess their condition individually. Some may justify restoration, while others may have suffered extensive damage or inappropriate alterations that make replacement the more practical option.
2. Measure every opening individually
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that all internal doors within a property are the same size.
In older houses, openings can vary considerably. Floors may have moved, frames may have been altered and previous renovations may have introduced non-standard dimensions.
A door that appears to be a standard size may require significant adjustment to fit correctly.
The survey should establish:
- Existing door leaf dimensions
- Frame opening dimensions
- Frame condition and alignment
- Finished floor levels
- Door handing and opening direction
- Required clearances
- Any fire-door requirements
Measurements should be checked against the proposed manufacturer's permitted trimming allowances before ordering.
3. Choose the right door construction
Internal doors are manufactured using different materials and construction methods, each with advantages and limitations.
Hollow-core doors are generally lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Solid-core doors tend to feel more substantial and may offer better acoustic performance, depending on their construction and installation.
Solid timber doors can be attractive in traditional properties, although their movement characteristics and maintenance requirements should be considered.
Engineered timber doors provide another option, often combining timber components with manufactured cores to improve dimensional consistency.
The correct choice depends on the budget, desired appearance, acoustic requirements and expected level of use.
4. Check whether fire doors are required
Fire safety should be considered before selecting internal doors, particularly where a refurbishment changes the layout or use of the building.
Certain doors may need to form part of a protected escape route or provide fire separation. Requirements depend on the building and the nature of the proposed work.
A fire door is not simply a heavier door leaf. Its performance depends on the complete doorset or appropriately specified assembly, including the frame, hinges, seals, glazing where applicable and other ironmongery.
Replacing an existing fire door with an ordinary decorative door could compromise the building's fire-safety arrangements.
Where fire performance is required, the specification and installation should follow the relevant tested or assessed system and applicable Building Regulations requirements.
5. Consider acoustic performance between rooms
Sound transmission is frequently overlooked when selecting internal doors.
A lightweight door between a bedroom and hallway may provide less privacy than a heavier, appropriately fitted alternative. Gaps around the perimeter and beneath the door can also affect how much sound passes between rooms.
This becomes particularly relevant in shared homes, home offices, bedrooms and properties with open-plan living arrangements.
Improving acoustic separation may involve choosing a suitable door construction, appropriate seals and careful installation.
However, acoustic sealing must be coordinated with any ventilation or fire-safety requirements rather than applied indiscriminately.
6. Select hinges, handles and locks early
Ironmongery can substantially influence both the appearance and cost of a door installation.
A traditional panelled door might suit polished brass, antique brass or bronze furniture, while a contemporary flush door may look better with a simpler satin or matt finish.
The specification should also consider functionality.
Bedrooms may require privacy locks, bathrooms typically need suitable locking arrangements with emergency release, and certain rooms may benefit from different latch mechanisms.
Before ordering, agree:
- Handle design and finish
- Hinge type and finish
- Latch or lock specification
- Bathroom privacy arrangements
- Door stops
- Any required closers or seals
- Consistency throughout the property
Where a door is fire-rated, all relevant hardware must be compatible with its fire-performance specification.
7. Coordinate doors with flooring and skirting
Door installation should be considered alongside the finished floor construction.
New engineered timber flooring, tiles or carpet can alter floor levels. If doors are fitted before those finishes are finalised, the clearances may subsequently become unsuitable.
This can lead to additional trimming or, in some cases, replacement where the door cannot be altered sufficiently.
Skirting boards and architraves also need to be coordinated.
In a high-quality refurbishment, inconsistent architrave widths, poorly aligned skirting and uneven gaps can undermine the appearance of otherwise expensive joinery.
The construction sequence should establish when frames, doors, flooring and decorative finishes will be installed.
8. Decide whether to replace the frames as well
Homeowners sometimes budget for new door leaves without considering the condition of the existing frames.
An old frame may be twisted, damaged or unsuitable for the proposed door. Previous hinge positions, multiple paint layers and badly repaired latch recesses can also affect the quality of installation.
Retaining sound existing frames can reduce disruption and cost, but forcing a new door into a defective frame may produce an unsatisfactory result.
Replacing frames introduces additional work, including removing architraves, making good surrounding plaster and redecorating.
These costs should be included in the quotation rather than appearing unexpectedly during installation.
9. Compare the complete installation cost
The purchase price of an internal door is only one part of the overall cost.
A contractor may need to remove and dispose of the existing door, adjust the frame, trim the replacement within permitted limits, fit hinges, install ironmongery and complete finishing works.
Where new frames are required, the scope becomes more substantial.
Before comparing quotations, establish whether the price includes:
- Supply of doors
- Removal of existing doors
- New frames where required
- Hinges, handles and locks
- Carpentry and fitting
- Architraves and making good
- Priming, painting or finishing
- Waste removal
- Final adjustments and snagging
Two quotations may appear significantly different because one includes the complete installation while the other covers only hanging a supplied door.
The objective should be to compare equivalent specifications rather than simply selecting the lowest labour rate.
Good internal doors are part of a coordinated refurbishment
Internal doors contribute to the appearance, comfort, safety and usability of a home. Although they are often installed towards the end of a refurbishment, the important decisions should be made much earlier.
A properly coordinated specification considers the door construction, frame condition, fire safety, acoustic requirements, ironmongery and relationship with the surrounding finishes.
This is particularly important when refurbishing an entire property, where consistency between rooms can make a substantial difference to the completed interior.
Bayocorp delivers residential refurbishments, carpentry, joinery, decorating and project management across London and the South East. Whether you are restoring original period doors, replacing internal doors throughout a property or undertaking a complete refurbishment, we can help establish the scope, coordinate the relevant trades and deliver a consistent standard of finish.
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