Replies

1. 
   Scott_y | Jul 30, 2008 01:54am | #1

   It seems to me that a 100-year-old door may be worth salvaging. I know not all old work is good work, but... Any chance you could clean it up, strip, refinish (or whatever) depending on what the door needs?

    

   Scotty

1. 
   Ray | Jul 30, 2008 04:38am | #2

   well, yes, it is restorable, but doesn't fit in with "the plan".  I'll store the door for future (winter) work.  I'll have to splice in new wood for the lockset and hinges, replace a couple stiles & mullions and a window.  I really don't want to remove 6 window panes just to add a pet door to an old, partly rotted door.  I'll build a new one, repair the original & leave it for the next DIY'er that owns this house.

1. 
   ak | Jul 30, 2008 06:03am | #3

   Cypress works very well for an outside door. It's a little denser than Doug Fir anyway. I've never tried to paint Cypress so I'm not sure how it will hold paint, but it would be just fine for door making. I've used it for furniture projects with great success. White Oak, Mahogany, Old Growth Long Leaf Pine, these all are great door woods.Adam King Studio

   Fine Furniture and Antique Restoration

1. 
   Ray | Jul 30, 2008 07:32am | #4

   Thanks AK, I've been using cypress 'off-cuts' from a local mill for window frames to replace rotted double-hung windows.  So far it seems to hold paint ok, I'll let you know in a couple of years :-).  I was curious about the strength for a door.  The lumber's pretty reasonable, so I'll give it a shot.

1. 
   Zabo2 | Jul 31, 2008 01:03am | #6

   Ray be sure the cypress you are using is old growth. The new cypress that most often we get is new growth and is not near as good as the old stuff. I use a lot of it and you have to be very careful of warping. The old red cypress which is mostly from sinkers is very good but is generally very costly. However if you can get ahold of some I would highly recommend it. Most of the doors in the old plantation homes are made from it and some of them are hundreds of years old and are still very beautiful. If this door is exposed to the elements I would think it would be best to paint it. I don't know of any finish that will stand up to the heat and humidity we have here in the south. Good luck.

   ZABO2

2. 
   brad805 | Jul 30, 2008 11:14pm | #5

   Pretty good sized project to slather on paint:)  Ok, I admit it, I really like the look of finished wood, so if it doesnt fit the architecture you are going for, I get it.  Having built a passage door and five more to go I suggest you find the wood you like best and shell out the extra sheckles if need be.  You could also do a stave core rails and stiles to save a couple of bucks.  A little more effort and I know many point out that you need a perfect glue line to make it work, but it is doable.  Take a read on the woodweb if you are interested.  Certainly Wood sells many domestic veeners in 1/8" thick sheets.  I think they are pretty reasonable (awesome to deal with too).  I built my prototype door with 3/16" veneers I made in the shop and it was not that bad.  I thought you might get a response from Acornw.  He is one of the resident door experts (I am no expert, but have done quite a bit of reading about door building). 

   Brad

3. 
   troys | Jul 31, 2008 06:46am | #7

   Does the door get any sun or rain exposure. I live in The San Francisco Bay area and I made a back door for the house. The location is in a place that will get no rain and almost no sun so I made it out of poplar. It is several years old and has no signs of weather damage, it is painted and the paint has held up fine. Anyway I would not use poplar in a situation where their is much sun or rain contact but it might work for you.

   Troy