Some door styles never go out of fashion – Georgian style is one of them. What is it characterised by, you may ask? The answer is: symmetry, balanced proportions, elegance and subtle details. This style is influenced by the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. It’s a great choice for those who want something classical, but still impressive.
Nowadays, Georgian front doors are no longer reserved for period properties. You’ll see them just as often in modern homes, new builds and renovations. With a huge selection of materials, extras, colours and glazing options available, it’s easier than ever to adapt this authentic look to your own home. Of course, Fenbro will gladly help you with that.
This guide focuses on what Georgian-style doors really mean, where the style comes from, what defines it today, and how to make it work in your home. We also share some of the best models available in our range.
What’s the history behind Georgian doors?
The Georgian era dates back to 1714-1837, during the reign of four King Georges and William IV. It was a time when society and politics were changing quickly. But architecture was also impacted. Designs became more organised. Instead of mixing styles, buildings started to follow simple rules – balance, symmetry and clean lines. The inspiration for this style came from ancient Greece and Rome, where regularity and proportion were everything.
Front doors started to be styled in the same way. Nothing too complicated, nothing over the top. Just a balanced layout, usually with a few panels and frequently some glass in the upper section to let light into the hallway.
What are Georgian doors?
The characteristics that define Georgian-style doors involves a defined and symmetrical appearance that is very pleasing to the eye. There are typically four, six or eight panels in that proportional layout where all the panels are evenly spaced with little detail; therefore, simple in appearance.
Another element commonly seen is the glass; there may either be a single pane of glass or, if the pane is to be divided, there will be bars separating the two sides of the pane out. Glass allows natural light into the corridor thus creating a softer and friendlier appearance for the entrance.
Sometimes Georgian-style doors include fanlights which consist of small windows above the door that are usually in an arched or rectangular shape, to help create a brighter and more open entrance.
As a final design element, Georgian-style doors often include details around the door, such as fine mouldings or a plain framed version, in order to improve the overall perception of depth without looking too decorative.
Georgian front doors with glass
Glass is a big part of the Georgian look. In most cases, you’ll find it in the upper section of the door – sometimes as one pane, sometimes split with bars.
It’s not just there for aesthetics. It actually makes a difference to how the whole entrance feels. A solid door can seem quite heavy, especially if you have a smaller hallway. Adding glass opens things up a bit and lets light in. These days, you’ll see more and more variants with glass placed lower down on the door – and we kind of like this trend! Options from our range, like Classic, Glass or Future, show how much glazing can change the appearance of a door.
At the same time, it’s worth thinking about privacy. Clear glass looks great, but because of that people can see more than they should. So, yeah, investing in frosted or decorative glass might be a wise choice.
And let’s not forget about safety. Any glass in a front door should be toughened or laminated. If you’re living in busy, exposed areas it’s a must-have. It’s, in fact, a simple thing, but it makes the door more secure and durable.
Georgian external doors – materials and options
The look might be traditional, but the materials definitely aren’t stuck in the past.
Obviously, you can still go for timber if you want that wonderful classical feel. It looks great, but we need to warn you – it does need a bit more care over time, significantly with changing weather. Most owners today prefer to choose something more undemanding. uPVC Georgian doors are a common option – they’re affordable, low maintenance and work well for standard designs. Then you’ve got another great solution: composite doors, which are stronger and generally offer better insulation and security. Aluminium is another solution, in case you want a sharp, more contemporary version of the Georgian style. In the end, it’s less about the material itself and more about how it fits your home, your budget and how much maintenance you’re willing to deal with.
For a broader view, you might want to read this guide: How to choose external doors for your home – a useful guide
Is it possible to have Georgian internal doors?
Georgian style isn’t just for front doors. Surprisingly, they can be found inside the home, as the internal doors. The same principles apply – clean lines, balanced panels and, in many cases, glazing that helps move light between rooms.
Georgian interior doors can make it work in spaces like hallways, living rooms or home offices, where you don’t want to block daylight completely but still need some separation. And just like with external doors, you can adjust the style based on what you need – more glass for brighter areas, or solid panels if you prefer more privacy.
Are you considering Georgian internal doors and not sure what would work best in your property? It’s always a good idea to speak to someone with experience. Our Sales Team can guide you through the options and help you find something that fits both your layout and style.
Georgian style doors in modern homes
Good news: you don’t need to own a period property to go for a Georgian-style door. In fact, such designs work equally well in contemporary homes, as their clean lines and simple, balanced layout make them easy to integrate with contemporary architecture. The final effect depends largely on the chosen finish and detailing. A classic black door with glazing bars will create a more traditional appearance, while softer colours or simplified features can give the design fresh character.
For those looking to try a modern approach to this style, we encourage you to check out the Royal collection from Wikęd. Some of the go-to composite Georgian front door models are: RL2, RL2a, RL3 and RL3a.
They’re impressive, aren’t they?
Can I get Georgian patio doors?
What about Georgian patio doors? Is it even a thing? Yes, it actually is!
What people typically mean by Georgian patio doors are French doors or larger glazed doors with those classic glazing bars that split the glass into smaller sections. That’s what gives them that Georgian look, even in bigger openings leading out to the garden or patio.
You’ll regularly see this style used mostly in uPVC and aluminium systems – all depends on the setup. It works wonders for those wanting to match with their Georgian windows or a front door in the same style.
See how French doors fit into our customers’ homes – discover our projects with them.
What are the best colours for Georgian front doors?
With this style, colour does a lot of the work. You can stick with safe shades, like black, white or navy, or go for something softer – dark green, sage or muted greys can be a feast for the eyes. We can advise avoiding anything too bright or bold. Georgian style is more about balance and subtlety, so colours that feel slightly muted tend to work better.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what suits your home – the façade, the windows, and the overall feel you’re going for. We strongly invite you to check this article: How to choose the right door colour to match the style of your home?
Conclusion – a style that never left
Georgian style has been around since the 18th century, and it hasn’t really gone anywhere. In this day and age it keeps coming back in various forms. People still like how it beautifies their homes.
It’s fair to say that there are plenty of ways to use it. From Georgian external doors, through Georgian internal doors, to Georgian patio doors or Georgian doors with glass – a lot to choose from, depending on the space and the effect you’re going for.
At Fenbro, we know this style well and genuinely enjoy working with it. So if you’re thinking about doors inspired by Georgian design, don’t overthink it – just get in touch. We’ll talk it through, show you the options and help you find something that actually works for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Georgian style front door?
It’s basically a door with a very balanced, symmetrical look. You’ll notice a few panels, most often four, six or eight. Some versions have a fanlight at the top, but not all of them. You can find this style in the Fenbro range, for example the Royal line from Wikęd.
Where can I get modern Georgian style doors?
You’ll find them pretty much everywhere – from local suppliers just around the corner to larger, nationwide companies. However, the tricky part is choosing the right version and making sure it performs well and fits your home. That’s where Fenbro comes in. We help you figure it out, talk you through the options and make sure everything is made to measure.
Can I get a Georgian front door in composite?
Yes, and that’s actually quite common now. You get the same look as for example with wood, but with better insulation and less maintenance. It’s a practical option if you don’t want to deal with more demanding materials.
Do Georgian doors always have glass?
A Georgian door does not need to have glass. Most do have some sort of glass feature, generally in the upper section of the door, but you can have a door with no glass. It really depends on how much light you want and how private your entrance is.
What is a fanlight in a Georgian door?
It’s that small window above the door. You’ll most likely see it in a curved shape. Its role is pure design and letting a little bit more light into the hall.
Can Georgian style be used for internal doors?
Yes, and it actually works really well inside the house. Georgian internal doors can help keep the look consistent from room to room. If they have glass, they also help with light flow.
What materials are best for Georgian doors?
We can’t point out one single best option. Wood gives the most classic look, but it does need more care over time. Our Fenbro experts recommend uPVC, composite or aluminium, as they’re simply easier to live with on a daily basis.
