We have already said a lot about front doors in many of our previous blog articles, for example HERE and HERE. Their importance, role and, not least, their functional purpose are well understood. In this article, however, we focus on a specific type of door: the wooden front door. We look at the technical properties of wooden doors from Poland, the advantages and disadvantages of wood as a door material, and the innovative technologies that make this traditional material future-proof and suitable for long-term use. Let’s dive in!
What kind of door material is wood?
The use of wood as a door material has proven itself over centuries, and richly decorated wooden entrance doors have always been eye-catching symbols of craftsmanship and prestige. Indeed, historical examples of wood carving have become world-famous works of art.
Today, a wooden front door represents elegance, calmness and a close connection to nature. At the same time, choosing wood is a rather bold decision, as the material has specific requirements compared to modern alternatives. Wood needs careful processing and, later on, regular maintenance when necessary. A wooden door will not be as inherently strong and robust as a uPVC door, let alone materials such as aluminium or steel.
Thanks to a wide range of wood species, design options and glazing possibilities, this type of entrance can be perfectly integrated into almost any architectural style. Even though they may not be perceived at first glance as particularly resistant, they hold a well-established, traditional position on the market. Thanks to innovative production technologies, they are future-ready and can easily keep pace with doors made from other materials. And to conclude this introduction clearly: no material ages as beautifully as wood – which makes every wooden door a true one-off.
What properties do wooden front doors have?
Before moving on to technical characteristics, it must be said that wooden front doors give any façade a unique charm. The material itself is stable, and even solid wood offers very good thermal insulation thanks to its naturally low thermal conductivity. This can be further improved with modern joint designs, multi-layer sealing systems and, where required, additional cores or inserts.
Wooden front doors are durable, sustainable and – it must be said – permanently beautiful when regularly maintained and cared for. The sound and noise insulation properties of wood are more than excellent. A properly installed door with a high-quality locking system also provides a high level of burglary resistance. The specific qualities of wood as a natural material should not be overlooked. Wood is a renewable, ecological raw material that is environmentally friendly in production and later disposal.
It should also be borne in mind that wooden doors require maintenance and care. If neglected, the door may lose its appearance or even suffer damage. On the other hand, the ease of working with wood allows for redesign: sanding and repainting can completely change the door’s appearance.
How are wooden front doors constructed?
Wooden front doors are available in various construction types.
- Classic solid wood doors, where the wood is carefully prepared and properly protected (impregnation, stain, lacquer or coating).
- Wooden doors with different fillings, where the exterior wooden appearance is retained, while the door gains additional properties – for example benefiting from the insulation performance of modern core materials. Inserts made from robust materials such as steel help prevent warping, while a vapour barrier layer helps control indoor moisture levels. Doors can also be fitted with aluminium cladding.
- So-called engineered or laminated door leaves, made in layered constructions from wood and wood-based materials. These allow a wide range of shapes, cut-outs and decorative elements. The technical properties of the materials used determine performance in terms of insulation, security and durability. Appropriate glazing, for example, can help reduce the U-value.
If you are interested in a specific construction type, we recommend confirming the internal structure of the door leaf with a Fenbro sales specialist at the time of purchase. This ensures that the door you choose meets the properties you expect and prefer.
Which types of wood are used to manufacture front doors?
The quality of a wooden front door depends on the choice of wood species, as well as on processing and joint construction within the door leaf. At Fenbro, doors are primarily offered in meranti or oak (hardwoods), as well as larch and pine (softwoods or coniferous woods). Wood can also be combined with materials such as glass or metal to achieve different effects – modernity, classic style or an emphasis on the natural beauty of wood.
Each wood species has its own performance characteristics. The mechanical properties of wood determine how it can be shaped and what insulation and protective properties the finished door leaf will have. Each species is also distinguished by its unique colour and grain, making every entrance door a unique work of craftsmanship. Below, we outline the properties of the wood types used in Fenbro doors.
Meranti
The term meranti refers to a group of tropical hardwoods from Southeast Asia that vary greatly in colour, density and strength. They are known for good durability and weather resistance – particularly the darker varieties, which are generally more robust.
At Fenbro, meranti doors are available from two manufacturers: Erkado and Naturo. Erkado uses this wood across all of its front door series, including models such as P3 or P105. We talk more about this manufacturer’s doors in our article: Transform your home with Erkado stylish wooden doors. Meranti is also used in Naturo front doors, for example in models TimberLine 54 or Classic 02.
Oak
Oak refers to a broad group of hundreds of tree and shrub species. In general, oak wood features rich natural colour tones and can darken significantly over time. Oak has excellent strength and offers outstanding natural durability. It is easy to work with and takes lacquer, oil and other coatings very well. Historically, oak symbolises strength, power and resilience.
Oak front doors are offered by both Erkado and Naturo. As a premium material, oak doors are particularly impressive products. At Naturo, an example is the TimberLine 07 model with classic glazing. From Erkado’s range, the P194 model combines traditional embossing, glazing and a modern pull handle.
Larch
Larch is a tall tree with thick bark, reaching heights of up to 40 metres and diameters of over 1.5 metres. The wood colour ranges from yellow to reddish tones and can darken over time due to air exposure. Larch has medium density and is medium-hard to hard. It offers moderate strength, meaning the wood is heavy and durable, contributing to the longevity of finished products. Larch is easy to work with, dries well and becomes moderately dimensionally stable. This distinctive wood can also represent elegance and luxury.
Both brands available at Fenbro – Erkado and Naturo – offer larch front doors. From Erkado, we highlight the classic P5 model with rounded upper shapes, as well as the highly modern and visually striking P80 model with unique decoration. From Naturo, we present the Classic 06 model with its proven form, as well as TimberLine 91 – a restrained design with interesting cut-outs.
Pine
Pine is a versatile and affordable wood species valued for its natural appearance and ease of processing. Pine wood is light in colour, easy to work with and cost-effective. It offers good insulation and stability despite its medium to soft hardness, although it is only moderately weather-resistant and tends to darken over time. The pronounced grain gives pine doors a more rustic character.
At Fenbro, pine front doors are available from Naturo and Erkado. Naturo offers a variety of door designs, such as the uniquely styled TimberLine 100 and the more classic TimberLine 94. Among Erkado’s pine doors, model 77 stands out with its bold, modern line, while model P13 represents a more traditional design.
How should a wooden front door be maintained and cared for?
Wood is a unique material that is sensitive to temperature and humidity conditions. At least once a year – ideally after winter – thorough cleaning of the door surface and fittings is required. Re-coating with a protective wood finish is recommended every five to ten years. The maintenance requirements of wood should not necessarily be seen as a disadvantage – they also offer the opportunity to refresh the door’s appearance by changing the colour over time.
Want a more detailed guide? Check out our complete article on how to care for your wooden exterior doors.
Conclusion: Should I choose a wooden front door?
A wooden front door is certainly much more than just an eye-catcher, and far more than mere decoration. Modern wooden doors from Poland are robust, durable and burglary-resistant – and will reliably protect your home and welcome guests for many years to come. If you are looking for front doors sourced from Poland, do not hesitate to contact us – our Specialists will be happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of door material is wood?
Wood is a noble material that adds elegance and prestige to a property while, thanks to modern technologies, providing the required level of protection.
Are solid wood front doors a good choice?
Absolutely! Solid wood front doors offered by Fenbro are valued for their durability, natural insulation properties and premium appearance. With proper maintenance, they provide long-term performance and reliability.
How are wooden front doors constructed?
Front doors can be made from solid wood, with special cores or inserts, or as engineered laminated door leaves. Different construction methods result in different performance characteristics.
Which wood types are used to manufacture front doors?
Fenbro offers front doors made from meranti, larch, pine or oak. If you are looking to buy affordable front doors from Poland, these wood types are available at Fenbro.
Are custom wood front doors available at Fenbro?
Yes, at Fenbro wooden front doors can be customised in terms of size, design, glazing, colour finish and hardware. This allows customers to create a front door tailored to their property style and individual preferences.
