solid oak front door or not?

[Surftuzzer]

I'm having a porch built (brick, enclosed, tiled roof type) which faces West on and end terrace house, in a village in Hampshire.
The builder suggests we go with a composite door, due to hardwood doors sticking and warping when they face the elements and sun.
How big a problem is this? Are these bad experiences down to older existing houses or door frames?

We are keen on a wood look, and composite doors in oak finish are not that convincing.
We kinda hope a new built porch and door frame = better experience than those with an old cottage/frame. Perhaps not?

We don't mind regular oiling or sanding to keep the oak looking good, but are now nervous about getting oak.

Would love to hear from anyone with experience or professional opinion.

 

[aveatry]

Is there an option for engineered oak that may stand up to the expansion contraction / warping better ?

 

[JohnD]

I'm having a porch built (brick, enclosed, tiled roof type) which faces West on and end terrace house, in a village in Hampshire.
The builder suggests we go with a composite door, due to hardwood doors sticking and warping when they face the elements and sun.
How big a problem is this? Are these bad experiences down to older existing houses or door frames?

We are keen on a wood look, and composite doors in oak finish are not that convincing.
We kinda hope a new built porch and door frame = better experience than those with an old cottage/frame. Perhaps not?

We don't mind regular oiling or sanding to keep the oak looking good, but are now nervous about getting oak.

Would love to hear from anyone with experience or professional opinion.

I know a building with a solid oak door more than 100 years old.

It is not oiled or painted.

Make sure yours is solid, not veneered over scraps of waste timber glued together (AKA "Engineered")

IMO wooden doors are best protected by at least an open porch or canopy.

In my district there is a college that trains people in joinery, so we have an excess of them. I have known a couple, they can make a panelled door from scratch with nothing but saws, chisels and planes. I had one made and fitted to an odd sized opening,

 

[Old Salt]

I live in Hampshire and have a west facing wooden front door. Came complete with frame and was fitted by a chippy. It was coated before fitting with an undercoat and two top coats of something like sadolin. I cant remember the exact stuff but it was fitted in July 2020 and could do with a rub down and recoat this year.

Manufacturers advised against fitting west facing but I wanted wood so went ahead anyway. I don't regret it.