Hollow core doors

Higgs Boson · 2014-04-09T01:51:55+00:00

I want to replace my deteriorated side door, which is an odd size - 24". I looked in Home Despot at a 30" example. I would have to special order my door. On-line, I found this description of "hollow core": ================== Hollow Core Doors Today hollow core doors are are installed in a majority of low to moderatel y priced new homes. Hollow core doors have made great strides in quality co mpared to the early years when they were extremely flimsy and cheap. Hollow core doors have a wood frame around the perimeter of the door panel, usual ly one to two inches in depth. The surface is either hardboard or plywood w ith corrugated structural cardboard stiffeners throughout the center of the door for stiffness. Hollow Door Pros - Hollow core doors are cheaper, lighter, and less likely to warp, shrink and swell. Hollow core doors also take paint much better th an solid wood doors. Hollow Door Cons - Hollow core doors are prone to damage from unruly kids, slamming doors into stops and other impact loads. Hollow core doors are als o much harder to modify and repair due to the hollow nature. ====================== The "1-2" around the perimeter sounds awfully narrow. Would a special-order 24" door have the same perimeter? Can I ask for more? Is that ever done? Any point to requesting it? More questions: I want the window in the existing door taken out and installed in the new o ne by my handyman. But what's INSIDE the door that he can work with? Are those "cardboard stiffeners" capable of taking a window? I think the old door is also hollow core; I couldn't have afforded solid, s o how did they get the window in? Did they create a wood frame to hold the window? Did they use stiffeners" decades ago; the old door goes wayyy bac k. Also, how did they get the cat door in? I know this sounds dumb, but how do I ascertain whether old door IS hollow or solid without destroying it? Any help appreciated. HB

Apr 09, 2014 21 Replies

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clare 12 years ago

Lots of solid core doors without panels. Block Core, plywood covered

Usually the door jam is weaker than the door. Steel re-enforced jams are available

A fire door is required between house and garage.

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micky 12 years ago

I remmember now. They did break in through the door. They thought that the door was invulnerable, or there would be no guarantee, but it seems the door is vulnerable. It's just that the odds are no one will break in.

The door was damaged. I think they thought the door was the problem, but I I didn't see it.

Good to know.

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