New front door in the half-timbered house

Hello dear forum members,

we live in a half-timbered house built in 1775 and are busy with renovations. Next year, the ground floor and thus the front door are to be tackled. The current front door closes poorly, sticks, and is so crooked that light gaps are visible, so action is needed. It is a plastic door that was probably installed by the previous owners themselves. I can't say whether it is DIY-store quality; it doesn't look particularly high-quality.

Some time ago, we looked at various manufacturers at trade fairs and specialist retailers, from large well-known companies to small manufacturers, and the prices quoted there are sometimes shocking. That I can't get a front door for the price of an interior door is understandable, but €7000 and up is quite something.

Before we intensify our search, I would like to ask for opinions on what one should generally pay attention to. The door should be as stable as possible so that the problems we currently have do not recur soon. From a design perspective, we would like the largest possible glazed section with mullions on the inside if possible, and different colors inside and outside if possible.
At the moment, I am considering buying a wood/aluminum door. However, I don't know what to look out for. During my research, I came across a page that mentioned a steel core for plastic or wooden doors to increase torsional stiffness.

For now, as I said, I am first looking for further tips on what to pay attention to and possibly experiences with various manufacturers.

In this context, I also wanted to specifically ask about experiences with sparfenster.de. They apparently belong to a Swedish roofing company; the materials used are from brand manufacturers, and the prices are surprisingly cheap. Has anyone ever heard of them?

Thanks in advance,
Tobias

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Is there any monument protection or anything else to consider? We have received Polish windows and a front door, the brand is called Eko Okna, there is a wide selection available. What do you have in mind and what do you value?

I wouldn’t put a door in an old house that was made with modern technology. I mean: it should be wood. I don’t know about the metal core. I’m skeptical, but of course, it can also be great. And I find plastic stupid for various reasons (it’s a matter of taste and environmental concern). As far as I know, it depends on the front door that: the fittings grip well – so presumably 3 hinges and several holding points on the locking side as well. that it is well insulated. That is basically the case with wood (don’t make it too thin). and that it doesn’t warp. That’s tricky and requires trust in the manufacturer because you can’t tell how well the wood was selected by looking at a new wooden door. I only consider some company from who knows where to be limitedly useful. The door will presumably be custom-made (?), that’s why I consider it important that the craftsman who makes it is "good." I always try to find that out through conversations: What is my feeling: Do I trust him? Can he tell me something that sounds well-founded? Do we understand each other? Does the exchange work?

Monument protection does not need to be considered, it is "just" an old residential house without any background history that would justify monument protection.

Specially made, in principle, is every front door, since there are generally no standard dimensions like with interior doors. Therefore, every manufacturer from who-knows-where would produce it specially. Wood is of course an option, but it also requires maintenance. However, I do not want a plastic door either, so the choice would remain between aluminum and aluminum/wood.

Therefore, it would also be specially made for each manufacturer from who-knows-where.

yes, you are probably right. I like to work with local craftsmen and have little experience with "such companies." An ancient half-timbered house with an aluminum door seems "wrong" to me, but of course, there are also sophisticated options that would be "special." Your subordinate clause: "however, also to be maintained" makes me take notice. I do not mean that a "normal wooden door" needs much maintenance. Of course, expectations can be very different. My advice: a wooden door (with frame) made using solid craftsmanship, with fittings that correspond to modern security options. BUT: the above comments are certainly correct: pictures of the current front door with the surroundings make such advice much more sensible. What is also important, for example: is the space where the door (with frame?) is installed stable? Has something possibly warped there (and not the door)? Half-timbered houses are famous for their "mobility." I am currently also planning a front door (for a significantly younger house from 1967) and am thinking of building (having built) the outside out of oak and attaching the vertical boards with bare iron screws (lock screws that cannot be unscrewed). The tannic acid in oak reacts with iron, often causing dark "spots." On old farmhouse or castle doors, this is seen as "characterful," but on new doors, it would normally be considered a defect. I like that kind of thing and am curious about the process, but it is certainly not everyone’s taste.