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Guide to 1930s-Style uPVC Front Doors

(4 min read)

Are you considering a 1930s-style front door for your home? Read on to learn about the style and the benefits of the modern uPVC take on the classic wooden doors of the original period.

Quick FAQs

What does a 1930s-style front door look like?

The original 1930s front doors were made from wood and were typically painted in dark shades of green or black. Door furniture at the time would typically have been cast iron and was positioned in the upper half of the door. The classic design has glass panelling at the top of the door and moulded panels beneath the glass. Modern replicas have evolved from this.

Will a 1930s-style front door suit my house?

This timeless design actually works well on many house types. Subtle differences in the design and door furniture mean you can tailor the look of the front door to suit your property. Modern uPVC versions come in so many colours too, meaning you can get the look just right.

Why choose a 1930s-style front door?

The 1930s design has stood the test of time for a reason.

This era saw the Art Deco movement flourish. The style was modern and streamlined, symmetrical and geometric. The clean, simple lines seen in Art Deco design are reflected in the 1930s-style front doors, which are still a popular choice.

Other strong influences during the 1930s were the Arts and Crafts movement, Streamline Moderne and the Art Nouveau movement in the latter part of the decade. This was an exciting period for design.

The 1930s front door design is stylish and elegant. Its simplicity means it can work on a range of properties while homeowners can personalise their choice through specific designs, features and colours.

Whether you’re looking for a classic style to retain the character of your period property or you’re wanting a contemporary twist on the original design for a more modern house, the 1930s front door is likely to be the solution.

Variations in 1930s front door designs

The range of styles available means homeowners can still achieve a unique look, in keeping with their property.

Glass windows

Most 1930s front doors feature square or rectangular glass panels. The glass panel may be one large panel. This might be plain, textured or even stained glass. A door with six smaller glass panels is a popular choice and certainly reminiscent of the era.

Further variations include the glass panel being divided into nine sections, oval or circular windows, and the glass panel with a domed top. Again, these may be plain but more often, they contain coloured stained glass in Art Deco designs.

Door panels

The door panels on the 1930s front door encapsulate the geometric style with their long horizontal lines. Choose from two or three vertical, rectangular panels, both of which are in keeping with the era’s design.

Door furniture

In the 1930s, door furniture became more ornate, enhancing the overall design. Different finishes were used for door knobs and knockers, handles, letter plates and key covers. Chrome started to become a popular choice.

There has never been so much choice when it comes to door hardware to complement the design and colour of your door. As well as a chrome finish, other finishes are available such as bronze, nickel and brass.

You can achieve a simple, modern overall look, or a more decorative look through your choice of door furniture, creating a bespoke design to suit your property.

The modern uPVC 1930s style doors

The 1930s front doors were wooden. uPVC front doors may not have quite the same look as a wooden front door but are a great alternative. They can be attractive and modern.

They are also a strong, durable, energy-efficient option due to the way they are constructed: a fully-insulated steel frame, encased in plasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC).

The uPVC door offers excellent benefits:

  • Insulation – With energy bills rising, you’ll be pleased to know that a uPVC door provides valuable insulation.
  • Security – The sturdy construction means uPVC doors provide excellent security for your home.
  • Low cost – uPVC doors cost much less than high-quality wooden doors so are great for all budgets.
  • Low maintenance – Once fitted, these doors are good to go and don’t require any further painting or staining to keep them looking fresh. They are easy to clean using warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth.

Fitting a uPVC 1930s-style front door

Fitting these doors is the same process as fitting most other modern doors. All glazing specialists can fit them, quickly and easily.

To conclude…

You can be sure that the 1930s-style front door is a timeless design that will give your house style. Go for elegance with simple, clean lines and a dark or neutral colour. Or go bold, bright and beautiful with your colour choice and stained glass design.

Need advice on whether a 1930s-style door is right for your home?

Speak to a member of our knowledgeable team and they will help you decide which door is right for you. Alternatively, take a look at our range of doors at our Camberley showroom and see them up close.

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Paul Wallis
Paul Wallis
2023-10-28
We recently decided to replace our front door, and could not be happier with the result! Thanks so much to Kate, for her time and understanding. Cannot say enough good things about the installation, and Cameron was tidy and efficient. It's been a pleasure to work with Three Counties recently, doors and windows. Many thanks!
Danielle Horsley
Danielle Horsley
2023-10-14
Lovely looking door
Agatha W
Agatha W
2023-09-08
Three Counties have been superb, their customer service is great and their workman were polite, cleaned up after themselves and the workmanship is excellent!! I am very pleased with their work and would happily recommend them.
Tom Winter
Tom Winter
2023-08-15
Excellent service!! We had 21 windows and 3 doors installed and very happy with it all. The process from start to finish was stress free and Ron and Lee who installed the windows and doors were great. Would definitely recommend!
Phil Redhead
Phil Redhead
2023-08-12
Just had my tatty old windows replaced by Three Counties, and it’s been a highly professional job from start to finish. Communication from the administration team was prompt and courteous at all times, and installation ended up being much quicker than advertised projections. Installation was without issue and the lads who did the work were amenable to my requirements and did an excellent job. Very happy with the entire process. Three Counties were recommended to me by friends and I can certainly now recommend them to others.
Mark Boyce
Mark Boyce
2023-07-21
Bought two new windows and a new front door from Three Counties, was very impressed with the attitude of all staff, who were friendly and informative. Price was good, and installation completed without a hitch - very happy with the final product, and would definitely use again.
Paul Picknett
Paul Picknett
2023-06-13
We have just had all our windows (18) replaced, french doors (20 and side panels (2) by Three Counties. We could not be more pleased with their workmanship and the finished product. They left the property incredibly clean after each day, and this despite the messy nature of ripping out old windows and frames. We were kept informed at each stage and a minor snagging issue was resolved promptly and efficiently after installation. A first class service. We would not hesitate to recommend Three Counties.
Anna Trevelyan
Anna Trevelyan
2023-06-01
Three Counties have now installed several windows and doors on our house and they're always my go-to company. I used another before I discovered them and they let me down, but I absolutely cannot fault Three Counties. From the moment you contact them they're courteous and professional, and they keep in touch with timescales and installation times. Friendly installers too, who go above and beyond. You'd think all this great service would cost more but they beat other companies on price. Highly recommended and trusted, I'd never go anywhere else now.