Choosing a door colour that copes with Cornish weather

Think about which way your door faces

Dark colours absorb more heat. On a door that gets full afternoon sun, very dark shades get hotter than light ones, and some manufacturers have guidance on using them in those spots. It isn’t usually a problem, but it’s worth checking for your door. I’ll look at which way it faces when I come out to measure.

Salt air and your door furniture

Near the coast, the colour of the door itself is rarely the issue. The handles, knocker and letterplate are. Cheaper finishes can pit and tarnish within a couple of years. Stainless steel or PVD-coated furniture costs a little more and keeps looking good for far longer. A quick wipe with fresh water now and then helps too.

Colours that work well in Cornwall

• Anthracite grey: the most popular choice on newer homes. Smart, modern and forgiving.
• Black: classic on Georgian and Victorian terraces. Pair it with chrome or brass furniture.
• Chartwell green and duck egg blue: soft heritage shades that look at home on granite and stone cottages.
• Deep blues: a natural fit by the sea, and they hide weathering well.
• Woodgrain oak and rosewood: the warmth of timber without the sanding and varnishing.

Conservation areas and listed homes

Parts of Truro, St Ives, Penzance and Falmouth are conservation areas. If your home is in one, or listed, check with Cornwall Council before changing your front door. Heritage colours and traditional styles are usually the safest choice, and I’m happy to help you pick one.

One colour outside, another inside

Most of the doors I fit can be a different colour on the inside, so you can have a bold front door to the street and a white or soft grey door in the hallway.

See the real thing

Colours never look quite the same on a screen. I bring real samples on every home visit, so you can hold them up against your house in daylight before you decide.