Victorian Doors

Victorian doors or Four panel doors were commonly used in houses built between the mid 1800s and the early 1900s. They are characterised by a pair of long panels above a pair of short panels and have wide mid and bottom rails. The style and proportions are different in many respects to most new four panel doors found in D.I.Y. stores.

Firstly the panels on original doors were nearly always flat and not raised and fielded. Secondly any moulding around the panels was not integral to the door but planted on. Thirdly the mid and bottom rails on original doors were at least twice as wide as the top rail and the stiles(side rails). i.e. mid and bottom rail eight inches, top rail and stiles four inches.

Many variations exist on this basic layout, including a square panel finish, which is a simple door with no moulding around the panels, these days sometimes referred to as a “shaker style”. Different glass options were also made with either two panes of glass where the top panels would have been, or nine panes as shown in the illustration. The nine light doors are sometimes referred to as vestibule doors and were often used to give shared light from a room to a gloomy hall or landing. These glazed options still maintain the basic Victorian door proportions with the mid rail at waist height.

Most Victorian doors were made of pine and designed to be painted, however stripped and waxed these doors can look superb. Here at Early Doors Ltd we offer a large selection of accurate copies of these original doors in clear pine, oak and pitch pine. The pitch pine doors are the most accurate copy of an original Victorian door we do. These are made with solid timber throughout and constructed using traditional mortice and tenon joints. The clear pine door is a less expensive alternative, with the same proportions and perfect for painting or staining and waxing. The oak version is becoming increasingly popular with many refurbishments using new oak flooring.

We hope you can find what you are looking for on our site, if not please ring or email with your request and we will endeavour to source the door you need.