David H Wright Joinery has been manufacturing timber windows and doors in Yorkshire since 1989, and our wooden door restoration service grew directly out of that experience. The same joiners, the same standards, applied to bringing existing front doors, back doors or even patio doors back to the condition they should be in, rather than replacing them.
Restoration suits timber house doors of most types and ages, including period originals on listed and heritage properties. For conservation area properties, restoration is increasingly the preferred — and sometimes only consented — route. Where a door genuinely is beyond economic repair, a matched timber replacement can be manufactured to the original profile and panel arrangement, as covered in our heritage joinery service.
Discuss Your Door RestorationBefore
After
Traditional timber front doors — Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian — were built to last, but they need periodic attention to keep performing. Rot at the base, failed joints, and paint applied over unsound timber are the most common issues we see, and in most cases, they’re repairable rather than terminal.
We use only premium hardwoods, such as Sapele or Accoya, to ensure durability, stability, and longevity and not softwood, as it doesn’t offer long-term performance. Materials selected not just for technical benefit but for their ability to match the appearance of the original timber, so the finished result is both visually seamless and structurally robust. Our attention to detail extends beyond the main timber elements to every associated component — seals, glazing, beading, and ironmongery are carefully assessed and either restored or replaced with sympathetic alternatives. Modern draught-proofing can be discreetly incorporated without altering the door’s appearance, and glass can be upgraded where appropriate, balancing improved performance with heritage requirements.
Explore Our WorkA timber front door that’s draughty, stiff, or showing signs of decay isn’t automatically at the end of its life. In most cases those problems have straightforward causes, and restoration is quicker, cheaper, and better for the building than full replacement — it’s also more sustainable, reducing waste and the need for new materials, an approach increasingly recognised by government and planning policy.
There’s also a planning dimension worth understanding. Conservation officers and local authorities are placing increasing emphasis on restoring existing joinery rather than replacing it, recognising that original doors contribute significantly to a building’s historic value. Restoration carried out sensitively, with appropriate materials and by skilled craftspeople, is generally the preferred option within approval processes — and retaining as much original fabric as possible improves your chances of securing consent. Our guide to listed building joinery covers this in more detail if you’re unsure what applies to your property.
Let's Preserve Your DoorWhen dealing with listed buildings, planning permission plays a critical role in determining what work can be carried out. Original doors are considered part of the building’s character, and replacing them — even with a timber alternative — typically requires listed building consent, which isn’t always granted. Restoration is often the only viable route, and a practical necessity for compliance rather than simply a design choice.
We make this process seamless for clients, offering end-to-end support from preparing conditioning reports through to submitting planning applications and carrying out the agreed work, whether that’s restoration or replacement. (Note: planning fees and architect input typically carry separate costs.) DHW has experience working on timber doors in listed and heritage buildings across Yorkshire, to a standard that satisfies conservation officers throughout. Our guide to listed building consent in Yorkshire is a useful reference if you’re navigating the approvals process — or simply ask one of our experienced team if you need further clarification.
Out WorkshopOld period timber front door before restoration in York
Fully restored timber front door with preserved stained glass in York
Mouldy and draughty timber patio doors in Harrogate
Upgraded and restored timber patio doors in Harrogate
Original, weathered timber double doors in Leeds before restoration
Restored double doors in Leeds, renewed in Teknos green paint to preserving character
External patio doors with peeling paint, suffering from exposure
Flawless, weather-sealed, visually renewed & restored external doors
Front doors rarely deteriorate in isolation. On period properties especially, the windows and any secondary glazing often share the same maintenance history — and the same problems. Addressing both at the same time is more efficient and produces a more consistent result across the elevation.
DHW handles timber window restoration alongside door work, so both can be scoped, scheduled, and finished together. Same workshop, same finishing system, same team — and a single point of contact throughout rather than separate contractors working to different standards.
Explore Our Timber Window Restoration
Brief us on what we can restore for you. Request your free, no obligation quote. All of our work is covered by our 5-Year Guarantee and 10-Year Glazing Warranty. Begin your bespoke quote now.
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