Bespoke Timber Front Door with Recreated Stained Glass, Reading

In August 2025, we were contacted by Jonathan from Reading, who was considering replacing the original front door of his 1904 home. The existing door featured detailed pictorial stained glass panels, and the aim was to create a new door that remained faithful to the character of the original while improving security, comfort and durability.

Shortly after the enquiry, a member of our team visited the property to take measurements and photographs of the existing door. During the visit, we discussed how closely the new door should replicate the original design, including colours, hardware and which period features should be preserved.

Jonathan chose to retain as much of the original character as possible while incorporating modern improvements to security, insulation and noise reduction. The colour scheme was also refreshed to complement the property’s period character.

The door was crafted from engineered European redwood, selected for its stability and longevity, finished blue (RAL 5001) externally and white internally. Period-style hardware included a polished chrome Victorian letter plate, Art Deco door knob, polished chrome finger pull and a modern multipoint locking system, with colour-matched architraves fitted internally and externally to frame the entrance.

Recreating the stained glass panels was the most intricate part of the project. As stained glass is a traditional hand-crafted process, each panel is individually drawn, cut and assembled by skilled glass artists. A technical survey captured detailed photographs of the original glass so a design drawing could be produced and approved before production began. Throughout the process we kept Jonathan updated, sharing sketches and progress as the work developed.

The birds and floral elements were hand-painted by the glass artist, meaning each piece was created individually to replicate the original style as closely as possible.

Because of the complexity of the design, the stained glass required additional time in production — something we always explain to clients when working with artisanal elements.

The completed door was installed in January 2026, with installation completed in just one day. The result is a bespoke entrance that preserves the character of the 1904 home while delivering modern performance and craftsmanship — not simply a replacement, but a carefully crafted addition that respects the property’s original character.