What gives a timber door a unique characteristic? Often it is the detailing and use of added mouldings.
An important element of many styles of timber doors is the beading or moulding used. This detail is often taken for granted, yet without it's careful choice both the look of the door and it's construction would be compromised.
Moulding or Beading styles can vary considerably, chosen for traditional or a modern appearance this simple detail can really alter the personality of a door.
Beading is typically used to fix the glass or solid panels into doors. This technique is used for both internal and external quality doors. When buying a new door which is provided with 'loose beads' this refers to a door that has a glass pack or no glass and is ready for you to supply your own. One side of the door will have fixed beads the loose beads are to be fixed on the other side during glazing. The great advantage of this choice of door is the ability to match up existing glazing in other parts of you property. For security, external doors should always be fitted with the removable beading on the inside face of the door (inside the building), as the beads (and therefore glass), could be removed by a cunning intruder.
Quadrant (Quarter Circle)
Quadrant beading is often the most common and economical of beadings. However, it is important to understand that some doors have the appearance of quadrant beading without the use of separate mouldings, this effect is an integral part of the door construction which means that the beads cannot be removed. Quadrant bead styling can integrate well with both modern and traditional door designs. This type of moulding is often used for glazed doors as it is narrow and cut to 45° making it less likely to obscure the glass, which is particularly important when the glass also has an attractive, decorative finish or a bevelled edge.
Traditional
Traditional beading is often larger & more elaborate than other beading styles; typically they are recessed back behind the rails and stiles. Doors with traditional beading often suit older character homes, as the sculpted curves often imitate older door styles. Traditional beading is more suited for decorative panelled doors and isn't often used with glass as the beading would obscure a larger part of the window. Where glass is used raised beadings or quadrant beadings are more often standard.
Raised
Raised beading is similar in extravagance to that of traditional beading, however, as the name suggests raised beading protrudes forward of the door rails & stiles. This moulding style gives a greater visual depth to the door, usually imitating Olde English style or continental designs. Leaded and stained glass is regularly used in combination with raised beading to further enhance the doors traditional appearance. Pictured is the Louis RM Oak Internal door which is a fantastic example of how elaborate raised beadings and mouldings can be.
Hockey Stick
Hockey stick beading is characteristically used in more modern doors styles. The chunky, square section has clean cut edges and gives a similar feel to that of doors with no beading (cassette construction) but with a bolder appearance.
This is one of my personal favourite types of beading as it allows for a number of applications, both internally and external, whilst still maintaining a clean striking appearance. This door style can look good when painted, though is predominantly well suited for various timber species which have a decorative grain, due to it's uncluttered detailing. This modern beading detail complements glazed, contemporary door styles as it emphasises the individual glass panels.
None (Cassette Construction/ Shaker Style)
Some doors have no beading yet still have panels, these are often constructed with the glass or panels set into the rails and stiles and have no loose beads, eliminating the possibility of removing the glass or timber panel. These doors usually have a more contemporary feel due to the clean lines and more minimal detail. Unfortunately if the glass is broken on this door construction, it is not possible to replace the glass without modifying the door. Pictured here the Shaker 4 Panel white door is a fabulous example of how contemporary and sharp a cassette constructed door can be. A new innovation to this is a cassette system where the panels are slid in from the top of the door and then wedged, this allows the panels to be replaced if needed.
