External Doors

Timber External Doors

At DavesDoors.co.uk we specialise in external doors made from real timber. Hardwood and oak, engineered for UK conditions, and selected by someone who has worked with wood professionally for over 25 years as a carpenter and cabinet maker. Every door in this range has been chosen for quality, durability and genuine performance in the British climate, not just on price.

We have supplied timber external doors to homeowners and tradespeople across the UK since 2005. Stable doors, front doors, back doors, glazed and solid. If it is a real wood external door, it is what we do.

Why Timber for an External Door?

Timber has been the material of choice for external doors for centuries, and with good reason. A well-made hardwood or oak door, correctly finished and maintained, will outlast most alternatives by decades. Unlike uPVC it can be repaired, refinished and adapted. Unlike composite it ages with character rather than degrading. Unlike hollow-core alternatives, solid and engineered timber provides real weight, genuine security and natural thermal performance.

All doors in this range are manufactured from FSC-certified timber. Responsibly sourced, carbon-storing and fully renewable. For homeowners who think of a front or back door as part of the long-term fabric of their property rather than a disposable fitting, timber remains the material that makes sense.

Hardwood or Oak? The Honest Difference

This is the question we are asked most often. Both are real timber and both perform well on UK exteriors. The difference comes down to finish, look and budget.

Hardwood external doors are manufactured from tropical hardwood species, typically Meranti or similar, engineered for consistency, stability and resistance to moisture movement. They take paint and varnish exceptionally well and are the better choice for homeowners who want a solid colour finish, a specific painted look, or a cleaner contemporary style. They are also typically more affordable than oak. Our Kendal Bosworth Double Glazed External Door is a strong example of what a well-made hardwood door looks like in practice.

Oak external doors showcase the natural grain and character of the timber. Oak is one of the most dimensionally stable hardwoods available, with a tight grain that resists moisture when properly finished. It suits clear coat, or lightly tinted finishes that let the wood show through. Oak doors work particularly well on period properties, farmhouses and cottages where the character of the material is part of the point. The Chesham Cottage Oak External Door is consistently one of our most popular for exactly this reason.

Both are FSC certified and both will last decades when sealed and maintained correctly. For full guidance on this see our guide to correctly sealing an external timber door.

Our Timber External Door Ranges

Hardwood Front Doors - Solid and glazed hardwood designs for front entrances. Ideal painted or varnished. Available in panel, glazed and contemporary slim-rail styles across a wide range of sizes.

Oak Front Doors - Engineered oak external doors that showcase natural grain and character. Suitable for clear coat, or painted finishes. A popular choice for period and cottage properties.

Stable Doors - Our fastest growing category, with unit sales rising over 500% since 2023. Available in hardwood and oak, glazed or solid. Functions as a standard door or splits into independent top and bottom halves for ventilation without fully opening. Our 9 Pane Double Glazed Hardwood Stable Door is our best seller in this category.

Back Doors - External timber doors for rear entrances, kitchen exits, utility rooms and garden access. Includes glazed, solid panel and stable configurations built for frequent use and UK weather exposure.

Large Oversized Timber Doors - For wider or taller openings that standard sizes will not cover. The same quality hardwood and oak construction as the standard range, scaled for larger or non-standard frames.

Before You Order

Measure your opening carefully. External door openings in older UK properties vary considerably. Always measure the width and height of your existing frame before ordering. Our how to measure guide covers the process in full.

Add a frame and hardware. Most doors are supplied as blanks. We stock matching hardwood external frames and a full range of handles, locks, hinges and letter plates to complete the installation.

Finish before you fit. This is the most important piece of practical advice we can give. Every bare timber external door must be sealed on all faces and edges before installation, including the top and bottom. This single step is what determines whether a timber door performs well for 30 years or causes problems within 12 months. Full product recommendations and technique guidance are in our comprehensive finishing guide.

Installation. Competent DIYers can follow our step by step external door and frame installation guide. We also offer a fitting and installation service in eligible areas if you prefer a professional to handle it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are timber external doors suitable for the UK climate? Yes. Engineered hardwood and oak external doors are manufactured specifically for the moisture and temperature variation typical in the UK. The key is correct finishing before installation and periodic re-coating. A properly maintained timber external door will regularly last 30 years or more.

What is the difference between solid and engineered timber? Solid timber doors are cut from single planks throughout. Engineered doors use a stable core construction with a hardwood or oak facing. Engineered construction handles moisture movement and the risk of warping better than solid timber, while still maintaining the look and feel of the real wood. Most of our external range uses engineered construction for this reason.

Do the doors come pre-finished? Most are supplied unfinished, which allows you to apply the colour or treatment that suits your property and environment. Some products offer pre-finished options. Check individual product pages for details.

Can I get a matching frame? Yes. We stock hardwood external frames, frames with fanlights and oak frames. Browse the full range in our frames section.

How long does delivery take? Timescales vary by product and current stock levels. Each product page shows current availability. We deliver to all mainland UK addresses.

Can timber external doors be painted? Yes. Hardwood doors in particular are well suited to painted finishes. Oak can also be painted, though most buyers choose to retain the natural grain with a clear or lightly tinted finish. Always use a quality exterior paint or stain system and apply to all faces including edges and the bottom of the door.

DavesDoors.co.uk is an independent family business based in Nottingham. We have sold timber doors online since 2005 with no showroom pressure and no call centres. If you have a question about any product in this range, our live chat is staffed by people who actually know about doors and timber.

Hardwood Front doors

Oak Front doors

Stable Doors

Back Doors

Large Oversized Timber External Doors

Softwood External Doors.

Composite External Doors