Front door advice
Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Projects / Front door advice
- This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by chemical_cake.
-
AuthorPosts
-
8 February 2015 at 11:54 am #124475
Hello,
I am thinking about building a front entrance door and would be grateful for any advice. I know basic stuff like dressing everything absolutely twist-free and the overriding importance of accuracy, but nothing specific to outside entrance doors.
Should the wood be acclimatised to indoor humidity or outside? It will sit in a small open porch so shielded from the worst of rain and sun.
Also any links to helpful resources that other members have used would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
Matt
19 February 2015 at 5:05 am #124825Looks like not much input on this one, Matt. I would love to tackle a door someday. You hit it right when you said that all parts must be square and straight. I’ve heard that successful door construction really depends on that.
Interesting question about acclimating to indoor or outdoor conditions. My guess is that it should be closer to outdoor conditions. But I’m also thinking it should be finished with a fairly robust finish (especially on the outside) so that moisture cannot move in or out of the door too quickly.
Good luck.
19 February 2015 at 9:06 pm #124839Thanks for your thoughts Matt. I’m surprised it’s not come up on the forum before, I did search before posting but came up empty.
Matt19 February 2015 at 10:48 pm #124840Hi Matt,
I’ve not built a door before so can’t offer any personal experience, I’m afraid. Lost Art Press sell a reprint of an old English booklet on door and window making that, at around £15, isn’t too expensive. Could be all you need to get started!
You can pick up a copy from Classic Hand Tools: http://www.classichandtools.co.uk/acatalog/Lost-Art-Press.html
George.
Hi Matt,
I did make a door on a college joinery course however the specifics of external doors were not really talked through.
I would say that member wise.. Steve Follis made two wonderful looking frame and panel doors that may not have come up on your search as they were titles ‘Garage doors’ .. So they would be external.. Maybe have a search and give him a message. Sure he would be happy to discuss.
And as George said above.. Lost art press… I have a number of their books and they are always of high quality.
Martyn
21 February 2015 at 7:45 pm #124925Thanks for the suggestions.
I like the look of the Lost Art Press book on window and door making @george, and many others on that list besides. If I had the money I could see myself buying them all.
I did see that thread on the garage doors, I’ll look it up again.
Matt
23 February 2015 at 6:44 am #124976You have to make sure door is as stable square twist free and well protected from elements with a good finish.
Another thing you mayhave to consider are the weather seals draft excluders wether you going to have them on the door or the frame or both. This usually some sort of groove you have to put a groove in the frame or door and insert some sort of rubber gasket.I do believe on new builds there is such a test as a pressure test that sort of tells how much air or whatever is escaping and has to hit some mark.
Consider where you position your locks so that they do not interfear with your joints. Your hinges should be good quality and should placed 6″ from top 9″ from bottom and one in middle of those two.23 February 2015 at 11:13 pm #124999Hi Matt, the link posted below are from Norm Abram’s New Yankee Workshop. He goes through making an exterior door. hope this helps.
good luck
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2j9Of6Hbrg
Entrance Door | New Yankee Workshop S19E02
25 February 2015 at 1:19 am #125030Thank you both Marks.
I will use all those useful tips. I think draft excluders on the frame for ease of replacement. That advice on locks is not taken nearly often enough – I have come to believe that most people think you are supposed to mortise your lock right into your joint.
Thanks so much for the link, I used to have that episode on tape but must have thrown it out.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.