Hi, my 1923 house has a 31" X 6' door that accesses the stairway to the basement. It has a large window and is only 1 3/8" thick. Anyone have any ideas about a good solid replacement that would help with heat loss as well? Thanks, Chas
Just cut a regular door down. cut the hinge side of a regular 32" wide door, this would look normal. (even with glass in it)
just plan the bottom cut when you are shopping, see how it can be done.
If your concerned about the depth!
see what you can add or remove from the jamb to make it work, just line it up. I think you're gonna pay less this route, oppossed to a custom made door.
I agree that changing the door jamb to make it wider should be the first choice. Hopefully there is enough space there to make a 32" wide door usable (even if you have to sahve it some. 1" off the sides is a lot.
I think you've got that backwards. I believe buffalowings was advising to add wood to the jamb(s) to make the opening narrower so a 30" door would fit.
R
I just reread your post after "clarifying" it for someone else. Oops. You do have subtract (remove) from the jambs. Not sure how you could remove an inch of wood from any normal jamb without removing one entire side.
Adding to the jamb would also allow you to increase the depth of the jamb since you'd probably want the security and longevity of an exterior door (1 3/4") instead of an interior door (1 3/8").
R
I think he should get a 32" door and cut 1" off the hinge side. one lousy inch...big deal. even with glass in the door, who's gonna see a 1" off center glass Im just thinking it will be cheaper.
you think maybe add to the jamb and use smaller door? hmmm, maybe better as far as appearances...id have to see the jamb.
Thanks Guys, the jamb is not in the greatest shape, but that is the best access to the basement for large objects. If I get a door with a window, I will just rip 1/2' of each side, but I think I will be going full solid door. HOWEVER, the idea of adding to the jamb still is a thought, because there would be fresh wood to mount to. Chas
Chas12 wrote: HOWEVER, the idea of adding to the jamb still is a thought, because
You know how screw holes get wallowed out at the hinges sometimes, you could stick something in there, like a wooden matchstix, this will give the screw something to bite.
Ripping half a foot off of each side seems a bit extreme! ;)
If you rip both sides of the door, you'll want to get a door blank - no predrilled holes for the lockset. Otherwise the ripping on the lock side will throw off the backset and you'll have to patch and redrill. In other words, ripping the door down in width is making more work for you either way.
I'm trying to save you some time and effort by suggesting a slightly smaller door width. Buying a pre-drilled and mortised door, and adding pieces of wood to the jambs will be the fastest way to do it and give you the most professional appearance. The jamb add-ons can be ripped to fit to fine tune the fit of the door in the opening.
Be aware when choosing the door that all solid core doors are not created equal. If you cut down a door with a particle board core, and that core gets exposed to moisture (safe bet with an exterior door to a basement) it will swell up like it has elephantitis. Not a good thing.
Ryes that is a lot of door to remove, but you should see how strong that jamb is!!
I understand what you are saying, and yes I will get a solid WOOD core door.
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