This elegant Burgundy Composite front door has transformed the entrance of a charming detached family home in the heart of Henley-on-Thames.
Located within a conservation area and surrounded by the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside, the property required new windows and doors that would enhance security and energy efficiency while remaining sympathetic to the traditional character of the home.
Nestled beside the River Thames, Henley-on-Thames is renowned for its attractive architecture, riverside setting and vibrant community. The Thames runs through the heart of the town, which is internationally recognised for events including the Henley Royal Regatta and Henley Festival.
With such a distinctive setting, choosing replacement windows and doors that complemented the appearance of the surrounding properties was particularly important to the homeowners.
Following a recommendation from a neighbour, the homeowners contacted Thames Valley Windows to discuss replacing their existing timber windows and ageing white front door.
As part of the wider home renovation, we installed replacement rosewood windows and doors alongside the new Burgundy Composite front door, giving the property a coordinated upgrade while retaining its traditional character.
The rosewood finish was carefully selected to complement the property’s existing architecture and surrounding homes. It provides the authentic appearance and warmth associated with traditional timber while offering the practical advantages of modern uPVC, including excellent thermal performance, durability and minimal maintenance.
The homeowners’ priority was to improve the overall performance of their family home with high-quality uPVC windows and doors offering excellent energy efficiency, enhanced security and easy maintenance.
At the same time, the replacement windows and doors needed to preserve the traditional appearance of the property and sit comfortably alongside neighbouring homes within the conservation area.
Our designer, George, spoke with the homeowners to understand their requirements and help them select products that combined modern performance with classic styling.
After visiting our Bracknell showroom and exploring the extensive selection of composite doors on display, the homeowners were able to compare different colours, designs, glazing options and security features.
George talked them through the benefits of the solid 70mm Apeer composite door range, including its impressive thermal performance and advanced security.
The traditional AMD7 Howard cottage-style door from the Apeer 70 Modo range immediately stood out. Its simple yet characterful appearance provided the traditional aesthetic the homeowners wanted while delivering the advantages expected from a modern Burgundy Composite front door.
Security was an important consideration when choosing the new entrance door.
Apeer 70 composite doors are designed to provide an exceptionally robust entrance and are available with police-approved Secured by Design credentials.
The homeowners were particularly impressed by the door’s advanced security features. These include protection against common methods of attack, with anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill and anti-snap security incorporated into the door hardware.
A high-performance locking system, combined with robust construction and substantial hinge protection, provides additional reassurance and helps create a secure entrance to the property.
For the homeowners, this combination of strength, security and traditional design made the Apeer 70 an ideal replacement for their old timber door.
The new door also provides an impressive level of thermal performance.
The Apeer 70 range can achieve a low U-value of just 0.7 W/m²K, helping reduce unwanted heat loss through the entrance of the home.
Its double-rebated construction also provides additional protection against draughts while allowing for appropriate adjustment and expansion.
Combined with the new rosewood replacement windows and doors, the installation has helped create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home while reducing the maintenance associated with the previous timber products.
The homeowners selected an elegant burgundy finish to give the entrance greater depth and character.
Burgundy works particularly well with traditional architecture because it introduces a rich statement colour without appearing overly bright. Against the property’s brickwork and new rosewood windows, the deeper red tone creates a sophisticated focal point while retaining the historic character appropriate to this Henley-on-Thames home.
The Burgundy Composite front door is complemented by black door furniture, including a traditional bull ring knocker, lever handle and letter plate. These carefully selected details provide an attractive contrast against the burgundy finish and enhance the cottage-inspired appearance of the door.
The result is a refined entrance that feels both traditional and distinctive.
A small triple-glazed panel featuring opal glass was incorporated into the door design.
This allows natural daylight to enter the hallway while maintaining an important level of privacy. The compact glazed detail also complements the understated cottage styling without dominating the appearance of the entrance.
Together, the burgundy colour, black hardware and decorative glazing create a beautifully balanced design.
Our installation team arrived at the Henley-on-Thames property in early March to complete the home’s window and door improvements, including the replacement rosewood windows and doors and traditional cottage-style composite front door.
The new Burgundy Composite front door itself was installed within half a day, with our experienced team taking care to achieve a neat and professional finish.
Throughout the project, the installers worked carefully and respectfully around the homeowners’ property, keeping disruption and mess to a minimum. Once the work was complete, the installation areas were thoroughly cleaned and left tidy.
Following the completion of their home improvement project, the Henley homeowners also kindly provided Thames Valley Windows with a wonderful five-star review.
Receiving such positive feedback is always greatly appreciated by our team and reflects the care taken throughout the project, from the initial design consultation and product selection through to the final installation.
We were delighted to help the homeowners transform their property with new rosewood windows and doors and a beautiful Burgundy Composite front door, and even more pleased to know they were happy with both the finished result and the service they received.
Replacing the outdated timber windows and white front entrance with rosewood replacement windows and doors and a rich Burgundy Composite front door has created a striking transformation.
The rosewood frames enhance the traditional appearance of the property, while the burgundy entrance door provides an attractive focal point. Together, the colours bring warmth and character to the exterior while remaining sympathetic to the home’s conservation-area setting.
Behind the traditional appearance are all the benefits of modern window and door technology, from improved thermal efficiency and lower maintenance requirements to enhanced security. The robust construction and advanced locking system of the front door provide additional peace of mind.
The homeowners can now enjoy a coordinated home improvement that combines the character of traditional windows and doors with the comfort, durability, security and energy efficiency required for modern living.
You may also be interested in reading our blog, A Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing a Front Door in 2026
We can provide you with full colour 3D visualisations, allowing you to explore options that you may not have considered, with complete peace of mind.
Our showroom consists of:
Thames Valley Window Company
Head Office & Showroom
44 Longshot Lane
Bracknell
Berkshire RG12 1RL
United Kingdom
Designed so you can view most of our product range, our show room will help you understand what options will work best for you and your home.
Making plans to improve your home is exciting. If you would like to download any of our product brochures, please visit our brochure download page.
