The Victorian era was a memorable period in many ways. It was an age of innovation that brought about a paradigm shift in every domain. The British Empire was at its peak during the time and the period saw many discoveries including the telephone, motorcar, bicycle, and the development of modern railways.
It was not just the Industrial Revolution that brought about these changes, but a revolution was seen in all other aspects of life, including art and architecture. Victorian architecture is admired all over the world for its expert carvings and exquisite finish. Victorian front doors can be recognized from a mile away. The glazed panels of glass and the four-paneled doors with intricate designs carved on them are just magnificent.
Why are Victorian doors popular in modern architectural designs?
- Sophisticated design: It is the unique design that has made Victorian architecture the crème de la crème of building aesthetics. The careful carving of the iron spikes on the doors and the embellished designs on the glass panels give the doors such a stylish look. Ever since the invention of glazed glass in the 19th century, the adoption of colorful designs on glass panes has gained precedence over ironwork designs. You would see a lot of floral patterns in yellow and bluish hues on the panels of a Victorian door. Modern Victorian front doors usually have two wooden panels at the bottom and two glass panels at the top. Some go for a simple look with just the house number carved on the door, while others opt for a more elaborate design with Gothic art and floral patterns on the glass panels.
- Vibrant colors: Initially, the Victorian doors had dark colors like black and grey giving them a more somber look. A black front door is a classic and has a rich and aristocratic feel. The dark colors were preferred by Victorian nobles and the tradition is still continued by the middle and upper strata of society. A black door exudes power and still ranks high among homeowners when it comes to choosing front doors. However, from the late 19th century, vibrant colors like turquoise blue, and maroon started gaining significance. The attractive hues on these doors give people more avenues to explore. This is one of the most appealing features of Victorian doors – it allows you to experiment with more radiant colors and goes well with almost every color. You could contrast the bright color of the front door with a dark-colored wooden panel to further enhance the look.
- Sturdier doors: The Victorian-era doors were mostly made of wood. Unplasticized PVC (uPVC) is also used as the material for the doors and is a modern-day addition to Victorian doors. The traditional Victorian door was made of four wooden panels with a metal spike, usually iron. This made the doors stand apart for their strong and fine look. The tall door frame is quite imposing which gives it a regal look. The thick and sturdy material used to make these woods provide good thermal efficiency as well as sound insulation. This is crucial for homeowners as this insulation property is useful when it comes to the energy efficiency of homes.
- Rich themes: Victorian architecture is highly recognized for its pointed arches, sleek design, and medieval Gothic revival themes that are a signature touch of the style. The Victorian doors may not have the detailed themes as evident on the church ceilings but more geometrical patterns like concentric circles, harmonized isometric designs, and flower shapes arranged in a picturesque manner that gives a polished look to the door. Even a simple black front door has a charismatic appearance because of the marvelous shape and features of the Victorian door. Ever since brass was being used in the doors, the doors started looking more refined and polished than ever before.
Conclusion
The Victorian era (1837-1901 ) is referred to the period when England was under the rule of Queen Victoria. It was a period of great churn when there were a lot of great things happening in every field simultaneously. The expansion of railways and telegraph, the Industrial Revolution, the development of and the discovery of the telephone, and the development of art and architecture brought about a prominent change in the lives of people all around the world. Particularly interesting for us is the development of Victorian architecture.
The delicate artwork you see on the ceilings and Victorian front doors is truly astonishing. The front door design has highly evolved from that period with the emergence of glazed glass panes. The amazing floral patterns carved on the doors along with Gothic art and medieval themes make the people reminisce about a bygone era filled with nostalgia. Therefore, no wonder Victorian architecture is still in style and people are eager to get these doors installed in front of their homes.
