Doors
Like a window, a door is only as good as its installation.
A seasoned carpenter uses all the knowledge and tricks learned from experience on how to install a door that hangs properly, that’s operable, and seals out the weather.
- The door reveal (the gap between the door’s perimeter and jamb) must not rub. The weatherstripping and threshold sweep must seal the door against weather.
- The door’s locksets and strikes must keep the door snug against the weatherstripping, but not so snug that that it’s difficult to turn your key and open the door.
- Dead bolts strike, the main defense against intrusion, must be screwed into the structural framing. If not, the door can be easily kicked in.
- I also recommend installing a steel backup plate mounted behind the dead bolt.
Local Door Suppliers
One of my favorite suppliers is Frank Lumber The Door Store. They will provide just the door (slab), custom cut to fit into existing door jamb.
I usually do not recommend this replacement because the original jamb (which consists of the frame, hinges, and threshold) does not always perform properly with a new door slab. I often find when replacing a door that the opening for the new door is not plumb and level.
The Door Store also provide pre-hung doors (meaning the doors are already mounted on jambs). These pre-hung doors are made to custom sizes so that they fit in the original door openings (which are called rough openings).
Door Selection
I recommend wood metal clad, fiberglass, or steel if the door is highly exposed. If you use wood doors in exposed area, be prepared to do regular maintenance to keep them from warping, cracking and seal failure.
Personally, I prefer stained wood doors, especially fir. I recommend painting or staining before installation because it can be done in a protected area (for instance, our Snowridge shop) for a better finish.
Pocket doors are excellent for space-saving, but hard to adjust after installation. (I have five sets of pocket doors in my house) Be mindful if you nail through the wall or you’ll damage the door. I’ve repaired a few doors that cable companies have drilled into.
Sliding patio doors: same recommendation as above if there is high exposure. Be sure to consider all the different configurations if the door is wider than six feet.
French doors: same finish recommendations for highly exposed areas. Also consider a French door that opens to the exterior if your entrance area is cramped.
Barn doors are very popular now. However, you will need to be thoughtful about the locking mechanism. They’re also very difficult to weatherstrip.
Pivot hinge doors: so cool and unique. They’re not seen often, sometimes in high-end homes.
Snowridge Can Build Custom Doors in our Shop
Want to rebuild a historical door?
Need a door built exactly how you want?
Need leaded glass?
I love the challenge of making a door work properly and look great.
