Replace narrow side door

Posted by Artful Dodger on May 4, 2009, 11:23 am

During kitchen remodel decades ago, due to space requirements, I had
to have a narrow (24") exterior door installed. Now I have to replace
it (bottom is rotted; inside yecchy stuff exposed). $$ is very
tight.
Narrowest available at HD is 32".
1. Should I buy solid core and have it cut to size? If so, should I
have the 8" cut from the hinge side
or the knob side, or does it make any difference?
2. Or is there a way to buy a "blank" and have it cut to size? Do
"blanks" exist?
3. "Masonite" is priced higher than other solid core doors. Why? Is
it worth the extra cost?
4. Is pre-bored (for locks and knobs) worth the extra cost vs. having
handyman do it?
5. Ditto for window and cat door.
Grateful for any input and referral to sources!
Hypatia

Posted by dpb on May 4, 2009, 11:34 am

Artful Dodger wrote:
show/hide quoted text
I $$ are indeed very tight, I'd suggest first going to local salvage
freight or similar places and scrounge through their supply of
used/overstock/seconds/etc. instead. Quite likely to find just what you
need for $10 or so.
If you do go have to start w/ a wider door for some reason you want to
trim evenly from both sides rather than all from one.
The last questions are pretty much self-evident -- if have to trim and
place in existing opening, it's unlikely the prebored holes will be in
the right place. Certainly if have to trim to narrower unless it's 2"
or less you definitely won't want to take all from one side so the
lockset holes will be at the wrong setback from the edge.
Cost questions all depend on what a handyman charges vis a vis the store
premium is and can't tell that from here... :)
Another cheep-but-cheery solution w/ the handyman depending on just what
type of damage you have could be to simply cut off the bad section and
replace it w/ a solid, new piece. A little filler, sanding, a coat of
paint and nobody but you and the (reasonably competent) handyman will
ever notice...

Posted by ransley on May 4, 2009, 12:27 pm

show/hide quoted text
=A0Is
show/hide quoted text
I think it would be alot cheaper and easier to repair it

Posted by aemeijers on May 4, 2009, 7:41 pm

Artful Dodger wrote:
show/hide quoted text
Is there a Habitat for Humanity ReStore anywhere near you? The ones I
have been to usually have a decent selection of ripout doors at very
cheap prices- cheap enough that if your handyman screws up cutting one
down (if they don't have a narrow one), no big loss. Or like the other
guy said, a door and window surplus outlet can be found in most medium
to large cities. Big box stores like HD only carry the middle part of
the bell curve, the sizes that most people want. If you want something
weird, they will special order, but it will cost you.
aem sends...

Posted by fftt on May 4, 2009, 10:37 pm

show/hide quoted text
=A0Is
show/hide quoted text
Could you post a photo? To minimize $'s spent, I'd vote with the
others who suggested repair rather than replace. Is DIY an option?
cheers
Bob

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
Replace Side Mounted Garage Door Springs	January 3, 2007, 6:38 pm
GE Side by Side Refrigerator Freezer Door Disassembly (Ice Maker Controls)	November 11, 2006, 1:05 am
Replace dangerous side steps	March 21, 2007, 5:49 am
Storm door opens from which side????	July 31, 2006, 6:59 pm
Re: Reasonable Price for set of 3 steps, was : Replace Dangerous Side Steps.	March 27, 2007, 11:57 am
Replace Door, Storm Door, or just add weather stripping?	February 19, 2006, 11:15 pm
Opener for a side-sliding garage door?	February 24, 2008, 11:01 pm
Sears Refrigerator side by side - water filter - scam?	September 13, 2005, 6:11 pm
Slow cold water delivery GE side by side refrigerator	November 1, 2005, 8:03 am
what is size of Kenmore Side-by-Side Refrigerator model 106.57757790	March 2, 2006, 2:33 pm