DIY Advice Needed

[Dorot29701]

I asked about this last week but didn't get help. I live in FL where hurricanes are a threat. We have double doors at the front entrance and there are only a few inches of wall space on either side of the doors. We need a way to reinforce the doors in case of high wind but we also need to be able to open them in a hurry in case of emergency.

We would like to put a 2 x 4 across the door. Thought perhaps attaching a hinge o the 2 x 4, then finding something to put on the door trim that could be slid through the holes in the hinge and screwed on. Any ideas? Would appreciate help. I've looked and can't come up with anything.

One thing -- in the security section. There is a metal pole with a slightly rounded top that is placed under the door knob and keeps intruders from pushing the door in. Would those be effective in strong wind? They look very strong.

Thanks.

[Pagan]

Storm doors?

Pagan

[Philip Lewis]

completely speculating here.

How about a plywood/fibercloth panel that sits outside the doors and has metal strapping that slides between the jam and/or between the two doors?

How about making a carpeted "t" that braces against the opposite wall?

you also need to give more information. is there a brace between the doors? do they open in or outward? How much space between the inner section of the door and the opposite wall? is you goal to keep them closed, or protect the outside?

I didn't re-read last weeks posts, but i seem to remember there being some answers... did you explain/address them?

Why more floridians don't build geodesic or monolithic concrete dome homes, i don't know. Those things are said to be able to take huge wind loads. Actually i do know... darn home owners associations. but that's another argument... ;)

[David Martel]

Dorot,

One of the first things I noticed when I was in Fla. was that doors opened outward so they can not be blown in by high winds. I was told this was a code requirement. You could certainly bar a door with a 2X4 as you propose. I don't understand why you want a hinge for this. Double doors often come with bolt type latches where the bolt slides into the floor. These would look nicer than your bar. one on each door should hold them closed

Dave M.

[Dorot29701]

Sorry I wasn't more clearer. My front doors open inward. There is a bolt on one door that slides into the floor and another one that slides up in to top....then the other door has a lock that comes into the first door.

What I am looking for is something that I can take off between hurricanes and simply caulk up the screw holes for possible use later.

The only I have found so far is to put a "hasp" on both sides of the door (on the trim) then attach one side of a hinge to both ends of the

2 x 4 - putting the free side of the hinge up to the hasp - and then dropping a strong pin in to hold it up there. (Hope I am explaining this...some helpful soul at HD suggested it). Storm doors might help

-- will consider that.

These doors open into an entry way that has about 4 inches on each side then expands into a great room. Very large room with two sets of sliding glass doors across from it...and they will be covered by plywood. We can hopefully go out the garage side door in an emergency but hate to limit our egress posibilities by covering the front door in such a way that we can't leave in a hurry.

Appreciate all of you taking the time to think this one through.

Dorothy

[David Martel]

Dorot,

I still can't picture what you propose with the hasp and hinge. But you already have floor and ceiling deadbolts installed on one of your double doors. Installing the same deadbolts on the other door of the set should look good, be very secure, and easy to unbolt in an emergency. In case of fire the top deadbolts might be hidden by smoke.

Dave M