The Project
The homeowners in Hackney came to us wanting to transform the entrance of their period terraced home. The existing front door was draughty, outdated, and no longer doing justice to the property. They had a clear brief: something bespoke, lasting, and secure — a door that would make an immediate impression and complement the character of the building.
After our design consultation, we agreed on a full front door replacement: removal of the existing door and frame, responsible recycling of the old unit, and the supply and installation of a bespoke hardwood door in a new frame. The total price, including all labour and materials, was £4,580 + VAT — fixed before we started, with no hidden extras.
The Work
Our joiners arrived and removed the existing door and frame entirely, preparing the opening carefully to ensure a perfect fit for the new unit. The new frame was installed first and checked for plumb and square, then the bespoke door was hung, adjusted, and the Banham lock set fitted and tested. The whole installation was completed in a single day, leaving the site clean and the homeowners with a fully functioning, secure entrance that evening.
The finished door, in the homeowner's own words, has "completely transformed the appearance of the home." That is what bespoke timber joinery achieves that no off-the-shelf product can match — precise proportions, premium materials, and hardware chosen specifically for this property. For anyone considering a bespoke timber entrance door in London, our process from initial consultation to handover is designed to be exactly this: clear, expert, and enjoyable.
The Materials
The door was built from hardwood sapele — a premium African hardwood with a rich, interlocking grain, natural durability, and excellent paint adhesion. Sapele is significantly denser and more stable than softwood, making it the right choice for a heavily-used front door exposed to London's full range of weather. The door was finished in Teknos — a professional-grade exterior coating system used by premium joinery manufacturers across Scandinavia and the UK. Teknos provides exceptional UV and moisture resistance, holding its colour and sheen far longer than standard exterior paints.
The glazing is a 24mm toughened sealed unit with an acid-etched finish: the centre panel is acid-etched (satin finish) with a clear border left around the edge, giving privacy where it matters while allowing natural light to flood the hallway. Toughened glass meets current building regulations for safety glazing in doors. Security is handled by a Banham lock set in polished chrome — Banham are one of London's most trusted names in door security, and the polished chrome finish ties the hardware together beautifully against the sapele timber.
"We recently had our front door replaced by Golden Ratio Joinery and are delighted with the result. The quality of the timber and workmanship is outstanding, and the finished door has completely transformed the appearance of our home. the team were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. They guided us through the different design options, advised on the most suitable colour, and helped us select the perfect ironmongery to complement both the property and the door design. Their attention to detail and willingness to answer our questions made the whole process straightforward and enjoyable. The installation was carried out professionally, and the finished product exceeded our expectations. We would highly recommend Golden Ratio Joinery to anyone looking for a high-quality bespoke front door and excellent customer service."
Need a Bespoke Timber Door in London?
We design and build bespoke hardwood entrance doors across all London boroughs. Free design consultation and site survey — no obligation.