Ask The Builder - Home Building, Remodeling and Improvement Information Page

Updated: Mon, 29 May 2006 14:23:15

Doors - Int / Ext
Door Weatherstripping Sticks to Painted Door
Door weatherstripping can stick to freshly painted doors. This can happen even if you let the paint dry overnight and it feels dry. Paint that feels dry and paint that is fully cured and hard are two different things.

Doors - Int / Ext
Door Fit is Poor
A door can fit poorly if the wall in which the door is hung is twisted. Doors are usually flat and the wall surface must also be flat for the door to meet evenly all along the edge of the jamb when the door is closed.

Doors - Int / Ext
Door Closes on Its Own
Doors can open and close on their own. You do not have to use a doorstop to solve this problem. A hammer can be used with some ingenuity.

Doors - Int / Ext
Exterior Doors Rub Carpets

Exterior doors are often installed too low by the builder. The door then sits too close to the floor and rubs the carpet in front of the door. This problem is totally avoidable if the rough carpenter adds extra height to the rough opening and installs an extra piece of lumber on top of the subfloor.

Doors - Int / Ext
Installing a French Door

Installing french doors can be done by a homeowner. Custom jambs made for the age of your house might be necessary. These french doors will require a rough opening and new header before you position the door. Determine your ability to plaster the gaps. Rookie plasterers should not use traditional white-coat plaster.

Doors - Int / Ext
Fiberglass Door Manufacturers
Fiberglass doors are made by two major manufacturers: Therma-Tru and Stanley. Their exterior fiberglass doors are made with quality. Therma-Tru even has its own line of stain for their fiberglass doors.

Doors - Int / Ext
Fiberglass Doors

Fiberglass doors, in my opinion, are one of the top 25 best all-time home building products. Insulation from a fiberglass entry door is better than that of a wood door. Fiberglass exterior doors have designer options such as beveled glass, unlimited door styles and stains.

Doors - Int / Ext
Replacing a Front Door

Front entry doors can be replaced easily enough as replacement exterior doors are usually the same size. Front entry doors have trim framing the door that is larger than the door unit itself. Remove this framing and measure the door from bottom to top. An exterior door store will have catalogs that list the dimensions and types of doors you can consider using. Threshold work should be done by a knowledgeable carpenter.

Doors - Int / Ext
Installing Pocket Doors

Pocket door installation is a great project that will give you an average of 10 square feet of floor space than a traditional hinged door. Make sure you know what is inside of your wall before demolition and determine if it is a bearing wall. Invest in the best door frames and components.

Doors - Int / Ext
Problem-Free Interior Doors
Interior door types should not be a decision you leave up to the builder or architect. Consider having solid core interior doors installed to reduce noise. Doorknobs and locksets can be installed that allow a wider margin to keep from scraping your knuckles. Match your doors to the style of home you have.

Doors - Int / Ext
Fixing a Pocket Door

Pocket door hardware and tracks that are of lower qualilty sometimes fail. Pocket doors that jump off the track or will not pull out of the pocket can be repaired. Door frames and components for pocket doors should be of the highest quality.

Doors - Int / Ext
Door Hanging Tips
Hanging a door can be tricky and will test rookie carpentry skills to the max. Door hanging requires some tools and a lot of patience. Hanging a prehung door is somewhat easier.

Doors - Int / Ext
Door Hanging Instructions with Photos
Hanging a door can be tricky. Here is a door hanging tutorial with step by step instructions for hanging an interior door.

Doors - Int / Ext
Pre Hung Interior Doors

Pre hung doors can be tricky for the DIY'er . Installing pre hung doors takes some simple tools and some not so simple work. Read this column to learn what is needed and one of my special tricks.

Doors - Int / Ext
Brighten up Rooms with Mirrored Doors
Mirrored closet doors will brighten and "enlarge" your bedroom. Don't just limit these doors to the bedroom. Mirrored wardrobe doors will look great on an entry hall closet also. Installing mirrored doors is not difficult as the hardware is high quality and often pre-assembled.

Doors - Int / Ext
Mirrored Doors & Manufacturers
Mirrored doors are not as expensive or hard to install as you think. Mirrored closet doors have always been popular, but they don't just have to be in bedrooms. Stanley mirrored closet doors have wood trim or you can get decorative glass inlays. Here is a list of mirrored door manufacturers.

Doors - Int / Ext
Mirrored Doors Sizes, Specifications & Tips
Mirrored doors, like any door, can be difficult to install. The door opening should be plumb, door tracks need to be cut and the instructions should be followed carefully. Mirrored doors have different sizes and parts and can be framed or frameless.

Doors - Int / Ext
Wood Door with Insulated Glass
Wood exterior doors can be modified to make custom wood doors. Insulated glass is an excellent inlay for wood doors. Special cuts must be made to modify the wood door and the glass must be glazed to set it in place. Stained glass can then be placed over this base.

Doors - Int / Ext
Exterior Door Design: Decorative Glass Doors
Exterior door design has shifted in the past five years. Decorative stained glass doors and doors with decorative glass are very popular. Stained glass and beveled glass allow more light in a home and are very attractive.

Doors - Int / Ext
Stained Glass Shops
Stained glass shops have a variety of materials to start you on a custom decorative glass door. Stained glass doors and stained glass windows are very attractive and can be custom ordered. Here is a list of stained glass manufacturers.

Doors - Int / Ext
Adding Glass to a Front Door

Entry doors can be beautified with the addition of glass. Front entry doors can retain their insulating quality if you install stained glass additions on top of the insulated glass. Removal of the raised wood panels should be done carefully. You don't want to cut into the flat surface areas of the door.

Doors - Int / Ext
Replace Hollow Core Doors With Solid Wood

Hollow core doors can easily be replaced. Solid wood doors or hollow interior doors with solid cores can soundproof rooms in your home. Custom doors can be ordered for a small upcharge. Door hardware will make all the difference if you order some of the beautiful brass that manufacturers are now offering.

Doors - Int / Ext
Fiberglass Doors Not Maintenance Free

Entry doors need periodic maintenance. Fiberglass doors are no exception. Fiberglass entry door finishes will fail over time. You can extend the finish on your door by carefully following the finishing instructions. Start with a clean surface from the cleaner provided in your finishing kit. Work in shade if possible. Keep up with yearly checks of the clear coat to avoid full restoration of your door.

Doors - Int / Ext
Staining Fiberglass Doors
Clear coatings on fiberglass exterior doors take a huge beating - especially clear coatings behind a storm door. I have seen traditional clear finishes and plastic parts on doors melt from the sun's heat. Acid rain, ultraviolet light, and other atmospheric pollutants simply erode clear finishes on fiberglass doors, polished brass and many other outdoor items. The key to minimizing restoration work lies in keeping up with the coatings.

Doors - Int / Ext
Painting Fiberglass Doors & Finishing Tips
Fiberglass doors can be painted or stained. Staining fiberglass doors requires a clean surface and drying time between thin coats of stain. Painting fiberglass doors begins with a latex primer before applying exterior paint. Here are some tips for finishing exterior fiberglass doors.

Doors - Int / Ext
Fiberglass Paint Stripper
A fiberglass paint stripper will safely remove the clear top coat off a fiberglass door. Fiberglass strippers can be fast acting, so work quickly and choose one appropriate for your door. Here is a list of strippers safe to use on Therma Tru Corporation fiberglass doors.

Doors - Int / Ext
Solving Pocket Door Problems
Pocket doors save space but can break down. Replacing pocket doors or installing new pocket door hardware might be all that is needed to revive an old, troublesome pocket door. Here are some pocket doors diy tips.

Doors - Int / Ext
Pocket Door Installation Tips
Pocket door kits are easy to install. Installing pocket doors requires minimal tools and patience. Here is a step-by-step pocket door diy install guide.

Doors - Int / Ext
Pocket Door Hardware Manufacturers
Pocket door hardware is manufactured by five major companies. If you're thinking about installing pocket doors, here is a list of questions and requirements to ask about pocket doors.

Doors - Int / Ext
The Perfect Hideaway - Pocket Doors

Pocket doors eliminate many new housing problems. They supply nearly 10 square feet of floor space that a regular door will take up. Pocket doors will not hide pictures or need baseboard door stops. Pocket door hardware must be of the highest quality in order to operate smoothly. Door style and design for pocket door frames is nearly unlimited.

Doors - Int / Ext
Interior Doors Changeover Project
Installing interior doors can be a great job for the DIY'r. Interior door changes from hollow core to solid is simpler now. Interior door manufacturers have door styles that will allow you to match any home. Follow my tips for a flawless project.

Doors - Int / Ext
Installing Interior Pre Hung Doors
Pre hung doors are great if installed correctly. Installing interior pre hung doors relies on plumb door jambs and shims. Don't nail the nails fully in until the pre hung door has plumb lines on all sides.

Doors - Int / Ext
Interior Doors Manufacturers
Here are some interior doors manufacturers. Interior doors come in a variety of styles with similar quality. Interior wood doors are very popular.

Doors - Int / Ext
Interior Door Installation Tips
Installing interior doors is a quick way to update the look of a home. To change the interior door yourself, take accurate measurements of the existing door frame. Manufacturers can make custom interior doors to fit your spaces.

Doors - Int / Ext
Entry Door Installation Tips
Entry door complaints can be traced to installation errors. Because of their weight and size, these entry doors require extra time to install properly. Here are some things you should take into consideration when ordering and installing an entry door.

Doors - Int / Ext
Entry Door Manufacturers & Care Tips
The entry door manufacturers that follow make steel entry doors, wood entry doors and fiberglass entry doors. There are over 100 entry door manufacturers, and plenty of selection. Read the care tips for your entry doors to keep them beautiful and functional longer.

Doors - Int / Ext
Entry Doors
Entry doors or exterior doors give personality to homes. There are many varietys of entry doors to choose from: fiberlass entry doors, wood entry doors and steel entry doors to name a few. Advancements have been made to improve the quality of these entry door products.

Doors - Int / Ext
Exterior Door Variety
Exterior doors are made from several materials now. Fiberglass, steel, or composite entry doors may interest you. These doors can be stained and sealed. They look like just like a wood door. New wooden doors are made of stable pieces of lumber and covered with a thin veneer of any wood species you want.

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