[caption id="attachment_4619" align="alignright" width="300"] Underfloor Heating image © Martin Pettitt & used under CC License[/caption]
I was recently discussing door designs with a customer who was asking about the construction of our timber doors and had wondered whether they were made from solid pieces of timber. This led into a discussion about the fact that most doors are engineered nowadays as the laminated construction provides a more stable and strong timber door.
The customer also mentioned that they were looking at timber flooring supplies for the house they were renovating and as they were installing underfloor heating in the property their chosen flooring company had advised them to choose engineered timber flooring as opposed to solid timber planks. I explained that this advice related well to why our timber doors are also engineered and that the flooring company had suggested engineered planks due to better stability with changes of temperature very near to the flooring.
This conversation highlighted the close comparisons between timber doors and timber flooring both in timber types available and their construction methods. Another main point raised was the finish of the doors they would choose in comparison to the finish of their timber flooring choice. Again very similar finishing choices are available dependant on the style of door chosen. Choosing a timber door with a Satin varnish finish is a popular choice as it provides a subtle sheen which gives a good appearance and enhances the timber grain. An oiled natural appearance which also enhances the grain of the wood is often used on solid timber floors, though requires more maintenance than varnishes. However, an oiled finish is not recommended for engineered timber doors as this can interfere with the veneer construction. There are matt finishes available which replicate a natural oiled appearance so ask our sales team at Doorsan Ltd for advice on the Pre-finishes on our doors, alternatively many designs are available unfinished so you can choose your own but please ask us or look at our Door Finishing page on the website about our recommended products from Sikkens and Sadolin as the wrong products can affect the warranty.