

We recently completed a bespoke door installation project in Leicester, crafting and fitting premium Accoya doors for a Grade 2 listed property. This challenging project required our skilled Nottingham Joiners to create doors that matched the original historic designs whilst incorporating modern double glazing to meet heritage conservation requirements. The completed installation combines traditional craftsmanship with advanced timber technology to deliver exceptional performance and longevity.
All doors were manufactured from Accoya timber, a revolutionary modified wood material that offers superior stability and durability compared to conventional timber products. The project demanded meticulous attention to detail, making sure each door replicated the original designs whilst integrating contemporary double glazing units suitable for a listed building.
Accoya represents a significant advancement in timber engineering, created through a process called wood acetylation that treats fast-growing radiata pine with acetic acid. This modification process fundamentally changes the wood's cell structure, resulting in timber that outperforms traditional hardwoods and softwoods in terms of stability, durability and performance characteristics.
The Accoya modification process uses naturally occurring, non-toxic chemicals, making the resulting timber safe for residential applications. The base material comes from responsibly managed forests with FSC certification, providing peace of mind for environmentally conscious property owners. This sustainable approach aligns with modern conservation principles whilst delivering exceptional performance.
Unlike conventional timber, Accoya doors do not swell, shrink or warp, meaning they open effortlessly and maintain their precise fit for many years. This stability proves particularly valuable for listed properties where maintaining authentic proportions and smooth operation is crucial for both functionality and heritage compliance.
The Leicester project required careful integration of double glazing units within the Accoya door frames. Listed building regulations demanded glazing that appeared traditional whilst providing modern thermal performance.
Our joinery team carefully studied the existing door design to create accurate reproductions that respected the property's historic character. Each door was individually crafted to match specific dimensions, moulding profiles, and architectural details, resulting in replacements that appear original whilst offering superior performance characteristics.
All doors received professional pre-finishing using Remmers paint, formulated for Accoya timber applications. This high-quality coating provides long-lasting protection whilst maintaining the authentic appearance required for listed building compliance. The pre-finishing process guarantees consistent coverage and professional results that would be difficult to achieve on-site.
Accoya doors offer exceptional longevity, with manufacturers providing 50-year warranties for above-ground applications. This extended warranty reflects the material's proven stability and resistance to decay, making it an ideal choice for property owners seeking long-term solutions that minimise maintenance requirements.
The remarkable stability of Accoya timber means that protective coatings last significantly longer than those applied to conventional timber doors. This reduced maintenance requirement proves particularly valuable for listed properties where access may be restricted and matching original finishes can be challenging.
Accoya timber provides better thermal insulation than both traditional softwoods and hardwoods, contributing to improved energy efficiency. Combined with double glazing, these doors help listed property owners achieve better thermal performance without compromising architectural authenticity.
The exceptional stability and workability of Accoya timber allows for complex custom designs that maintain their precision over time. This versatility enabled our team to recreate historic door designs whilst incorporating modern glazing and hardware requirements for this Leicester project.
If your property requires bespoke Accoya doors combining traditional craftsmanship with modern performance, contact Boam Joinery for expert assistance. Our experienced team creates custom door solutions across Leicester, Nottingham, and surrounding areas, specialising in heritage applications and listed building requirements.
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