The revolving door of politics is spinning once again following the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer – but an award-winning British sustainability entrepreneur has said we can all take a vital lesson in longevity from No. 10 Downing Street’s front door.
Joseph Holman, founder of Luton-based upcycling company Green Doors, has revealed that while prime ministers come and go with increasing frequency, the threshold they cross is a masterclass in durability and resource preservation.
Joseph, whose company has rescued over 20,000 items from landfill and was recently received The King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, says Downing Street’s front door is one of Britain’s most sustainable entrances.
‘When people think about sustainability, they usually think about buying something brand new made of eco-friendly, fast-growing timber’, Joseph said. ‘But real sustainability is about built-to-last durability, meticulous repair and extending the life of what we’ve already produced. Prime ministers might be transient but that front door is a lesson in lifelong maintenance.’
The iconic black front door is not actually made of wood, nor is it a single asset. Following an IRA mortar attack in 1991, the original 1735 timber door was replaced with a high-security, blast-proof steel composite structure.
Every few years the door is completely removed, stripped back, repainted and refurbished by specialists while an identical twin takes its place on the hinges.
‘Giving a door a full service makes a lot of sense and will a little bit of care doors can last for years and years’, Joseph shared. ‘Doors are very expensive when you buy them new. So looking after your door is important. Downing Street doesn’t throw a door away when it gets scuffed or when a new leader moves in. They invest in structural longevity, stripping it back and giving it a second life.’
To help everyday homeowners mirror the longevity of No. 10, Joseph has shared five essential door maintenance practices.
Clear the tracks and frames: Consistently clean out dirt and debris from sliding or bifold tracks, ridges, grooves and joints to prevent operational strain.
Lubricate the moving parts:
Regularly oil and lubricate hinges, locking systems and tracking hardware to prevent sticking and unnatural mechanical wear.
Inspect and swap worn weather seals:
Check your draught seals frequently and replace damaged weather stripping to protect against water entry and maximise home energy efficiency.
Schedule timely realignments:
If a door begins to stick, catch or create draughts, arrange a professional alignment check to stop uneven, long-term structural warping.
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