How colours actually behave outside
Anthracite grey reads much darker in shade than on a chart and is very forgiving against red brick and modern render. Black is crisper and shows dust and pollen faster on a road facing elevation. Chartwell green softens a red brick terrace and looks entirely wrong against grey render.
Woodgrain finishes such as rosewood and irish oak read as timber from the pavement, which is why they suit period frontages where the original was painted or stained wood.
| Colour | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Anthracite grey | Red brick, render, modern estates | Reads darker in shade |
| Black | Georgian and contemporary frontages | Shows dust on busy roads |
| Chartwell green | Red brick terraces and cottages | Clashes with grey render |
| Cream | Older stone and painted frontages | Needs cleaning more often |
| Rosewood or irish oak | Period elevations and conservation areas | Match the window frames too |
| Racing red | Bold statement on a plain frontage | Strong choice, think about resale |
Dual colour, and where it earns its money
A dark colour outside with white or a light shade inside is the most common request we handle, and it makes sense. The street sees the statement and the hallway stays bright, which matters in the narrow hallways common in terraced housing.
It costs a little more because the finish is applied at manufacture on both faces. It has no effect on performance.
Furniture, and matching the rest of the house
Handle, letterplate, knocker, spyhole and hinge caps should agree with each other and, ideally, with any other visible ironmongery on the frontage. Chrome, satin, black and brass all age differently, and black is the most forgiving on a coastal or exposed elevation.
The commonest regret we hear is not the door colour at all. It is a mismatched furniture set chosen in a hurry at the end of a long survey.
- Look at physical samples outside, against your brick, in daylight
- Check the colour against the window frames, not just the wall
- Decide furniture finish and letterplate position at the same time
- Consider dual colour where the hallway is narrow or dark
- Photograph the frontage and view the sample in the photo before deciding
See the colours against your own house
We bring physical door and furniture samples to every survey so the choice is made outside, in daylight, against your brick.