measuring stuff

Posted by John Ross on July 3, 2006, 7:00 am

Eigenvector wrote:

> I can replace damaged items with like items correct, or do I HAVE to update
> to code when replacing existing parts to my home? The hollow core that I am
> replacing was the original.
> I believe I somewhat understand what you mean by fire hazard, although what
> would code compel me do to - replace with a steel door?

In my city, it used to be you just had to have a "solid door" (this was
a long time ago). A few years ago, I discovered that it also had to be
fire rated. However, I called Home Depot and they said they had solid
wood slab doors that were fire rated. Really, the price is not that
much more. Even if you didn't care about code, a solid wood slab (not
rated) is not very much more at all (geesh, what are we talking about,
$30 more) At LEAST do that!

And, as the other poster pointed out, we now have the code where they
have to have the spring hinges. I've never heard it has to be metal.

I wouldn't even cosider a hollow door. Another thing to think about is
security--someone could just put their foot through one of those hollow
doors. I would want to have a deadbolt on anything going outside, which
would be kinda silly on a hollow door.

--
John Ross

Posted by Eigenvector on July 3, 2006, 7:37 pm

> Eigenvector wrote:

>> I can replace damaged items with like items correct, or do I HAVE to
>> update
>> to code when replacing existing parts to my home? The hollow core that I
>> am
>> replacing was the original.
>> I believe I somewhat understand what you mean by fire hazard, although
>> what
>> would code compel me do to - replace with a steel door?

> In my city, it used to be you just had to have a "solid door" (this was
> a long time ago). A few years ago, I discovered that it also had to be
> fire rated. However, I called Home Depot and they said they had solid
> wood slab doors that were fire rated. Really, the price is not that
> much more. Even if you didn't care about code, a solid wood slab (not
> rated) is not very much more at all (geesh, what are we talking about,
> $30 more) At LEAST do that!
> And, as the other poster pointed out, we now have the code where they
> have to have the spring hinges. I've never heard it has to be metal.
> I wouldn't even cosider a hollow door. Another thing to think about is
> security--someone could just put their foot through one of those hollow
> doors. I would want to have a deadbolt on anything going outside, which
> would be kinda silly on a hollow door.
> --
> John Ross

One thing that bugs me about this whole thing is just how tough it is to get
an accurate ruling on what I HAVE to do. I understand what you all think I
SHOULD do and I'm not doubting you I understand your reasons. But for some
reason I am having a difficult time finding the legal answer. I did fire
off a question to my county inspectors, seeing how I don't live in city
limits, and I'm sure I'll hear back from them in about 20 years. When and
IF I hear a response from them I'll know the best way to approach new
construction and DIY projects. But wouldn't you think more people would
obey codes and regulations if it was simple to find those codes and
regulations?

Posted by Eigenvector on July 10, 2006, 8:25 pm

> Eigenvector wrote:

>> Today I took a trip to the Lowe's store so that I could get a replacement
>> for a hollow core door.

> In another post you indicated "keeping the draft out from the garage."
> Does this mean you put a hollow door to a garage? Certainly against
> code and definitely a fire hazard issue!
> --
> John Ross

Since you replied so strongly to my post I thought I'd post a follow on.

After writing to the county about the possibility of having to obtain a
permit and what the specifics are on the door requirements - their answer
was short, terse, and unambiguous - "No code requirement, no permit
required."

That doesn't mean I don't understand where you are coming from and I'm not
disregarding your suggestion.

I have to replace all the interior doors in my house as they all have deep
scratches in them and the laminate front is falling apart, so I count this
as a lesson in how to hang a door.

Posted by Not@home on July 2, 2006, 4:56 pm

For the windows, take off the interior molding. You should then be able
to see and accurately measure the existing frame, and know how big a
replacement frame will fit. You are likely to find the opening is
larger than the existing frame, with shims to fit it. If you get a
bigger replacement that will fit in the opening, you will have to cut a
bigger opening in the siding, and that's more work than most people want
to do.

Eigenvector wrote:

> Today I took a trip to the Lowe's store so that I could get a replacement
> for a hollow core door. I also wanted to check out the windows and see what
> they had.
>
> So I measured my door and it came out to be 30x79" and the windows were
> 34x71"
>
> Looking at the doors, the hollow core doors were only in 30x80" My
> assumption is that I mis-measured my door and didn't worry about it. On a
> lark I re-measured my existing door - yup it is literally 30x79 and the
> replacement is 30x80. Did my door shrink? It certainly wasn't altered,
>
> Now onto the windows. When I measured them I measured from the inside box.
> I mean the rectangular cavity that the window fits into. When I was looking
> at the windows at Lowe's, they are something like 36"x72", nice normal
> dimensions and slightly larger than my window's dimensions. Again the
> similiarity tells me that I simply mis-measured the window.
>
> But if I did, how do I measure a window when trying to find a replacement?
>
>

Posted by Eigenvector on July 2, 2006, 5:02 pm

> For the windows, take off the interior molding. You should then be able
> to see and accurately measure the existing frame, and know how big a
> replacement frame will fit. You are likely to find the opening is larger
> than the existing frame, with shims to fit it. If you get a bigger
> replacement that will fit in the opening, you will have to cut a bigger
> opening in the siding, and that's more work than most people want to do.

Okay, I can do that. I'm pretty sure the new measurements will come out
72x36 so it does sound like I was measuring them wrong.

> Eigenvector wrote:

>> Today I took a trip to the Lowe's store so that I could get a replacement
>> for a hollow core door. I also wanted to check out the windows and see
>> what they had.
>> So I measured my door and it came out to be 30x79" and the windows were
>> 34x71"
>> Looking at the doors, the hollow core doors were only in 30x80" My
>> assumption is that I mis-measured my door and didn't worry about it. On
>> a lark I re-measured my existing door - yup it is literally 30x79 and the
>> replacement is 30x80. Did my door shrink? It certainly wasn't altered,
>> Now onto the windows. When I measured them I measured from the inside
>> box. I mean the rectangular cavity that the window fits into. When I was
>> looking at the windows at Lowe's, they are something like 36"x72", nice
>> normal dimensions and slightly larger than my window's dimensions. Again
>> the similiarity tells me that I simply mis-measured the window.
>> But if I did, how do I measure a window when trying to find a
>> replacement?

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measuring stuff - Page 6