05 November 2025
Local Spotlight: Best Door Designs for Period UK Homes
Want to change the door to your period property but don’t know where to start? You may even be curious what period your home falls under. In this blog, we’ll have a look at what makes a UK home a period home, what you may need to consider before upgrading your door, and what options will best suit your style of home.
What is a period home?
A period home is a house or dwelling that was constructed before the First World War. Period UK homes are defined by the architectural style common with the time in which they were built, and they typically fall into one of these categories:
- Georgian (1714-1830)- A symmetrical building, inspired by classical Greek architecture and with an emphasis on order and balance. Features include vertically-sliding sash windows with small panes, and a central door with toplight as well as ornamental stucco surrounds.
- Victorian (1837-1901) - Elements of the design are inspired by the Industrial Revolution, such as the use of iron, stained glass and multi-coloured brickwork. The front door is placed asymmetrically within the building rather than dead-centre.
- Edwardian (1890s-1910) - Suburban and large, with an emphasis in natural light, particularly with the use of bay windows and can include decorative toplights and side panels for the door.
Does period property mean listed?
- Period does not mean listed - Not all period UK homes are considered listed buildings. However, it is important to check this with your local authority.
- If your home is a listed building - You will need planning permission from your local authority before you can make any alterations to it. This is to ensure that the building will retain its intended period look.
- If your home is in a conservation area - You may still need permission from your local authority to make changes, as the historical character of the area (typically a neighbourhood) will need to be taken into consideration.
Choosing an appropriate new door will ensure that your period home maintains its character.
Can I add new doors and windows to a period property?
- In short, yes - This will depend if the property is listed or in a conservation area. Even if it is not, changes could affect the character and value of the home, so it's important to consider how these new windows and doors will look on the property.
- Like-for-like - You should aim for designs which are like-for-like, or at least keep within the style of the period specific to your home. This may also extend to finishes, such as woodgrain composite or UPVC to replace wooden windows or doors.
Why choose a composite or UPVC door for my period home?
- They are low maintenance – It’s easy to wipe them clean, and because they’re UV-stable you don’t need to repaint them.
- They’re thermally efficient – Unlike old single-layered, composite and UPVC are multi-layered, which means that more heat is retained indoors. We also use warm edge spacer bar technology within the glass to further prevent heat loss, and each door is pre-fitted with high-performance gasket weatherseals.
- They’re also secure – Our doors use Yale brand multi-point locking systems, which are Secured By Design, and the frames are reinforced for added durability. Glass is toughened as well, and our composites also include a high-impact GRP skin.
- Traditional designs – Our composite and UPVC doors come in various traditional designs. Composites additionally have an appearance close to standard wooden doors.
Door designs for Georgian period homes
- Colonial door designs of 4 to 6 panels, with a focus on symmetry.
- Door styles are generally solid. Glass designs are minimal and mainly reserved for toplights.
Georgian door ideas:
- Kent – A solid 6-panel composite door.
- Dorset – A twin-vertical glass composite door. The Edge is a simplistic glass design, of etched border within sandblast, that’s both formal and elegant.
- Harrow – A 6-panel UPVC door available solid or glazed.
- Enfield – A 5-panel UPVC with indented half-moon. Available with a Georgian Bar half-moon glass panel.
Door designs for Victorian period homes
- Colonial panel doors with a greater inclusion of glass.
- Leaded, etched and stained-glass designs reflect the period’s industrial innovations.
Victorian door ideas:
- Somerset – A composite style with arched twin-vertical glass panels. Available with our coloured, textured and leaded Oasis glass design.
- Lothian – A composite door with half-moon and twin rectangle glass panels. The Aquarius glass features a refined design etched into frost.
- Coventry – A UPVC door with half moon and twin rectangle glass panels. The Fowey glass design is frosted, with etched double borders and central starbursts.
- Croydon – A swept-top twin vertical UPVC door. The Barkley glass consists of an etched lattice design and central diamond bevels.
Door designs for Edwardian period homes
- More focus on light and the use of glass, e.g. large half-glazed panels or multiple smaller glass panels.
- Colourful, and often botanical, glass designs in the door and in surrounding glass panels.
Edwardian door ideas:
- Northumberland – A 4-glass 2-solid panel composite door. The Sextet glass design is made up of six colourful diamonds, available in Green, Red, Blue and Black.
- Devon – A composite with arched half-glazed panel. Our Cardinal glass design includes coloured roses, with intersecting and bordering lead lines.
- Newham – A 6-panel UPVC door. The Allegra 4 glass features blue borders, intersecting came lines and central diamond bevels.
- Bromley – A half-glazed UPVC with twin solid panels beneath the glass, and the option for Edwardian Bar.
Ready to upgrade your period home?
You can get started in a number of ways:
- Call us free – Speak to our door experts by called 0800 910 1122 free!
- Send a message – Either by the Quick Message blue tab on the right, or from our Contact Us page.
- View our doors online – Take a look at the styles we have to offer. All are available Fully Fitted or Supply Only.
or