Rye · East Sussex · TN postcodes
Timber French Doors in Rye
Homes in Rye get Timber French Doors built around the opening they have, with the timber and finish specified against local conditions.
Specifying a door for Rye
Rye sits on the coast, so doors here deal with salt-laden air as well as rain. Salt is hygroscopic — it holds moisture against the surface long after the weather has passed — which is why standard softwood and standard ironmongery both fail early within about a mile of open water.
Housing in and around Rye is largely 1920s–1930s semi-detached stock, which suits three-panel doors with a wide glazed head, often in a sunburst or geometric lead pattern. We match the mouldings and panel proportions to what is already on the street rather than fitting a generic pattern.
- Exposure
- Highly exposed — TN postcode area
- Timber
- Accoya or a dense hardwood such as sapele
- Weather detail
- a storm-rated weatherbar, deep drip mould and a rebated hardwood cill
- Ironmongery
- Grade A4 marine stainless steel
- Recoating
- Every three to five years on the weather elevation
Planning note. Rye has designated conservation areas and a number of listed frontages. Conservation status can remove permitted development rights on front elevations, and an Article 4 direction can tighten that further. Replacing like-for-like in timber is rarely a problem; changing the material or the glazing pattern usually is. We produce the elevations, sections and written specification a planning or listed building consent application needs. Check with East Sussex planning before ordering.
Price and lead time in Rye
Timber French Doors start at £2,800 per pair supplied and fitted, VAT included. Typical lead time is 8–10 weeks from survey. Use the indicative price tool for a range in about a minute.
Common questions
How do French doors stay weathertight?
Through a rebated meeting stile, compression seals on both leaves and a shootbolt set that pulls the slave leaf into the frame at head and cill.
Does sea air really affect a timber door?
Yes, in two ways. Salt is hygroscopic so it holds moisture against the surface, and airborne chloride corrodes standard ironmongery quickly. Both are solvable at specification stage.
Which ironmongery survives salt air?
Grade A4 (marine) stainless steel. Standard A2 stainless and lacquered brass both fail within a few years within about a mile of open water.
Do I need permission to change a door in a conservation area?
Often. Conservation area status can remove permitted development rights for front elevations, and Article 4 directions tighten it further. Check with the local planning authority before ordering.
Can modern sealed units go in a heritage door?
Slim-profile units down to around 11mm can, and they are frequently accepted where a chunky modern unit would not be. Some listed buildings still require single glazing.
What door suits a 1930s semi?
A three-panel door with a wide glazed head, often leaded in a sunburst or geometric pattern. The glazed area is proportionally larger than on a Victorian door.
Nearby
We cover the rest of East Sussex too.
Get a fixed price for Rye
Send sizes or a photograph and we will come back with an indicative range, then survey free of charge before anything is made.