Any change that is made to a heritage building needs to be done with a greater amount of care in comparison to other types of properties and buildings. This is because of the fact that period properties boast a unique character and more often than not the materials and techniques that are used in the build are no longer utilised by joiners and alike in the current day and age. Whenever a change is required the individual responsibility needs to assess their options extremely carefully to guarantee that their decision does not become detrimental to the heritage building in question.
When it comes to the doors of your heritage building you essentially have the choice of repairing or replacing your doors. If you don’t need to alter your doors, then don’t do it. You should never alter a heritage building unless it is required because of damage or deterioration. If you just make changes for the sake of it you are simply losing the essence of the period property and counteracting what the building is all about. Nevertheless, there are of course situations whereby updates are necessary because of course the property is old and thus much more susceptible to damage.
Most people will advise you to seek a repair rather than a replacement. The reason why many experts advise this is because of the fact that a repair is less intrusive. You are much more likely to keep the original character of the door if you only embark on a tweak here and there. Nonetheless, it is not always as simple as that. Sometimes a repair can simply be papering over the cracks and thus the problem is only going to arise again a few years down the line. Repair after repair after repair can of course turn out to be extremely costly. Thus, you need to determine the extent of the damage and if it is manageable by one repair, then by all means go for it. If not, don’t be afraid to seek a replacement door.
Having a replacement door installed can be scary for many. Again, it is all about the character of the building and a modern door would be extremely damaging. However, the key is to look for a company who understands period properties and caters directly for them. They will understand the difference between seeking a replacement door for a standard property and the heritage building in question. Therefore, you can be certain that your door will enhance the overall feel of the building rather than detract from it. The best thing to do is go for a bespoke service. By doing this, you can have the door made exactly to suit the period property.
To conclude, there is no right or wrong when it comes to selecting a repair or replacement door for your heritage building. Nevertheless, this is a decision that needs to be made extremely carefully and thus seeking the advice of professionals is always recommended. Make sure you select a company who understands heritage buildings, rather than just a generic joiner.
