Kerrigans Estate Agency News.

It’s a key attraction.

Most homeowners work on getting their interior looking perfect, but a front door also says a lot about your sense of style to the outside world.

"First impressions do count, especially if you are selling a property," says Anthony Kerrigan, chairman of Kerrigans estate agency in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. "A clean, new front door gives the impression of a well-maintained property." His view is backed by a new survey from the portal propertyfinder.com, which reveals that 38% of buyers are put off by a house exterior that is in poor condition.

The phrase "new front door" may conjure up images of white-PVC horrors with mock stained-glass windows, but it doesn't have to be that way. Nabil and Elizabeth Assaf set up Urban Front, which sells modern solid wooden doors, about a year ago. "We couldn't find a suitable front door for our 1960s house, so we designed our own," says Elizabeth.

"Passers-by asked where it was from, so we realised there was a niche in the market, and set up the company." The firm has 15 designs, in a choice of six woods. Prices start at £700. The most popular is the Sorrento in cedar with stainless steel - you can even buy garage doors to match.

The London Door Company has smart, individually made doors that are compatible with Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian architecture. Prices start at £1,050, which includes locks and fitting. The firm plans to open branches nationwide soon.

Another option is to buy a refurbished period door from a salvage yard. Cox's Architectural Salvage has a good selection that ranges from 1920s pine with original art deco glass, at £325, to an ancient studded castle-style oak door, at £1,700; it also makes doors to order out of reclaimed wood; prices start at £650.

Security is an important issue to take into account when choosing a front door. "They should be solid and fitted with mortice deadlocks that comply with British Standards (BS3621), or a multi-locking system, plus three large hinges and a door viewer," advises Tony Ellis, an Essex Police crime prevention officer.

"The door and frame should be strong enough to take the force of a large body. Avoid large glass panels, and any glass should be laminated, so it won't shatter, and should be set into the structure of the door." For more information, visit www.securedbydesign.com.

Once you are happy with the door itself, you will want to choose fittings that complement it. Urban Front sells hip, contemporary Danish door furniture, including pull handles and letter boxes. For something more traditional, turn to Cox's. Its range of knockers includes a bronze lion's head knocker like the one on 10 Downing Street, at £35, and a brass doctor's doorknocker - used to identify where medics lived - for £45.

Architectural Components' well-chosen traditional and contemporary range is also worth considering

If you don't want the hassle of fitting a new door, changing the style of the number or nameplate is an easy way to spruce up an entrance. De-signage is the place for modern house plaques. Its bespoke Perspex products are available in 17 different colours, with prices starting at £19.99, rising to £39.99 if you want the road name included. For an über-contemporary look, opt for the Oceanic, Glaze or Serene ranges, which are translucent Perspex plaques, with lettering available in three different fonts.

For something continental, check out Filante, which stocks French-style plaques with a white number and border on a blue background, from £19.95. It also has a range of art nouveau-style designs inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, from £17.95.

Now you have given your front door a face-lift, you may be wondering about revamping your dreary doorbell.

Well, there is such a thing as a designer doorbell.

Jacob Jensen, whose work is exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has designed a sleek, wireless doorbell (about £100, from www.completelymodern.com) that has five polyphonic ring tones, including Jensen knocking on an old wooden door and a rather new-age number.

All that's left is for you to invite suitably stylish people round to appreciate it all.

Date: June 06
Source: The Times