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41<br />
Any door should fit well within its frame, but it may still be<br />
an idea to improve its energy efficiency by adding seals<br />
around the edges, and a brush strip along the bottom. An<br />
internal letterbox flap or brush is also a great idea.<br />
Good lighting is vital for when you’re struggling to find<br />
your keys or simply need to see the front path on a dark<br />
evening. It should not be too difficult for an electrician<br />
to swap your existing light for a swanky new one – or<br />
perhaps a pair, one on either side of the door. Again,<br />
you will probably wish to coordinate your lighting with<br />
the architectural style of your property, whether it’s<br />
a carriage, lantern or bulkhead model, a decorative<br />
hanging pendant or a sleek and minimal wall washer.<br />
If possible, add a motion sensor and always ensure the<br />
fitting is suitably rated for safe exterior use.<br />
The fastest way to transform an existing timber door is<br />
to give it a fresh coat of paint. What colour? It’s a matter<br />
of personal preference, of course, unless limited by a<br />
planning restriction, but it’s always a good idea to try to<br />
coordinate the colour with the style of your property and<br />
to take account of local approaches. A garish pink in a<br />
historic terrace where everyone else’s door is neutral may<br />
result in some unhappy neighbours! Painting a door also<br />
helps protect it from the weather, so it’s important to do<br />
Etch-effect house name<br />
with Edwardian text,<br />
from £45 per m 2 .<br />
Purlfrost Window Film: 020<br />
8992 4024; purlfrost.com.<br />
it properly. <strong>St</strong>art<br />
by washing it<br />
down with soapy<br />
water, and either<br />
remove or cover<br />
the hardware.<br />
Remove loose or<br />
flaking paint, fill any holes or cracks, and sand down. Use<br />
primer on unpainted wood, or undercoat on previously<br />
painted or uPVC doors – you may need several coats –<br />
then finish with a couple of coats of the final colour, in<br />
tough, exterior gloss.<br />
A lovely finishing touch is a brand new set of hardware<br />
– letter plate, knocker, knob and numbers, which are<br />
available in an array of durable styles. Provided you<br />
measure up correctly, it is surprisingly easy to swap them<br />
over for an instant refresh and smart new look.<br />
The Home Improvement Specialist<br />
Doors - Garden Rooms/Offices<br />
Conservatories - Windows<br />
Orangeries | Tapco Tile Warm Conservatory Roofs | Bi-Folds | Artificial Grass<br />
Driveways | Patios | Roofline and much more<br />
Showroom open 8am-1pm weekday and weekends by appointment<br />
Home appointments welcomed<br />
01744 808 140 • www.ja-windows.co.uk<br />
Unit 1 Gerards Park | College <strong>St</strong> | <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> | WA10 1ND
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