onebadmofo
Repost These Nuts In Your Mouth.
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join:2002-03-30
Reading, PA
 ·Comcast
|  Replace entry door
I have so many improvements I'd like to do to the house. And haven't started a damn one. But I'm finding out a long the way what I can do now with what tools I have and what I can't. Also I'm finding out which jobs are more important than others. And this one is top on my list. So I'm seriously looking to get this done ASAP either by me, or I'll pay to have it done.
I THINK I can do this. But I'm not very confident going into it. ONLY because I'm thinking of what COULD go wrong...and then I'm screwed.
I've seen shows that show you how to replace a door. I have a book that shows this as well. Looks fairly simple. Remove rectangular object, prep area, place in new rectangular object seal up, bada bing and so one.
BUT....I've never seen them replace a door such as the one I have. I'd like to keep the glass above the door intact. Hell, I'd like to not have to touch it at all. But I don't know if that is just wishful thinking.
The current door is 34w x 79L. I've been to HD and the guy there told me I'd have to get exactly that or smaller if I wanted to put in a new door. And of course that is a Special order and more expensive. And most doors I've seen there have measurements of 36x80. But I'm beginning to wonder what exactly is the measurement pertaining to. The door, or the whole frame?
Take a look at the pics. What do ya think I can do?
The last pic is of the storm door. I was just trying to show the over area of the entrance way.
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dandelion
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join:2003-04-29
Germantown, TN
clubs:
·Comcast
| Not an expert on doors by far and this is not answering your question  .. but that is a nice door you have, particularly with the mail insert. New door handles/appliances including jams (I think they are called)..even adding opaque or stained glass taking off the curtain. Seems like would be very nice with a spruce up *shrugs* |
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shdesigns
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join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA
 ·Atlantic Nexus
| reply to onebadmofo
The measurement is the door.
34 is a bit odd, 30, 32 and 36 are more common.
I foubt you can pull the door and leave the transom light; it looks to be part of the same frame.
The main questin is why do you want to replace it? The frame rotten?
You can buy a bare door and mount it in the same frame. Hard part is cutting the hinges to match the old.
I have cut doors for length, you can usually do a inch or so off each end with no problems. Cutting the width will effect the look of a panel door and you need to cut both sides. Will not work on a predrilled door.
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Scott Henion
Embedded Systems Consultant,
SHDesigns home - DIY Welder |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Shelton, CT
 ·AT&T U-Verse
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 ·Optimum Voice
| reply to onebadmofo
If you really plan on replacing it then take out the casing and see what the distance between the studs is. That will give you a fairly good idea of what you can fit in there.
Replacing the door is a piece of cake, just make sure the bottom is level. Also check the walls and make sure they are vertical (chances are they aren't), you'll have to find the right position to be somewhat in the middle. |
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cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| reply to dandelion
said by dandelion  :Seems like would be very nice with a spruce up *shrugs* Large glass area that is likely single pane glass, there is probably a significant chill around the door in the winter. Add to that little security and I can see a desire to replace it not even considering if the aesthetics are or aren't desirable. |
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onebadmofo
Repost These Nuts In Your Mouth.
Premium
join:2002-03-30
Reading, PA
·Comcast
| said by cdru :said by dandelion :Seems like would be very nice with a spruce up *shrugs* Large glass area that is likely single pane glass, there is probably a significant chill around the door in the winter. Add to that little security and I can see a desire to replace it not even considering if the aesthetics are or aren't desirable. ....hit the nail on the head.
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onebadmofo
Repost These Nuts In Your Mouth.
Premium
join:2002-03-30
Reading, PA
·Comcast
| reply to shdesigns
said by shdesigns :The measurement is the door. 34 is a bit odd, 30, 32 and 36 are more common. I foubt you can pull the door and leave the transom light; it looks to be part of the same frame. The main questin is why do you want to replace it? The frame rotten? You can buy a bare door and mount it in the same frame. Hard part is cutting the hinges to match the old. I have cut doors for length, you can usually do a inch or so off each end with no problems. Cutting the width will effect the look of a panel door and you need to cut both sides. Will not work on a predrilled door. The frame isn't rotten. It's mainly a security thing.
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Candoo3
join:2005-01-24
·TekSavvy Solutions..
| reply to onebadmofo
We are talking a new steel door, yes? As cowboyro mentioned, you need to pull the inside casing, and measure between the studs to see what size would fit. The new "door" itself will always be less by than the stated size, e.g. 32" door = 31 1/2 to 31 3/4". You take the stated size and add 2 1/2" for jamb size and side clearance. Your height will be screwed if you want to keep the transom overhead. You need 82" framing height to accommodate a standard 80" door. Where you stated your door is 79", that is probably a 2x4 separating the door from the overhead. You can special order a shorter door, or find a local shop other than HD that carries doors. You could remove the overhead lite and cut it down in height in order to accommodate an 80" door + Frame, but then the frame of the lite won't be balanced. If you removed it totally, then you could frame that area in. You need to check the width of your jambs as well. Standard is 4 9/16" that HD sells, tho they do have some 6 9/16" in stock usually (+$75) |
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Goober
Premium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
2 edits | Why a steel door? His door other than being a security/thermal issue has more character than a steel door.
This is our door (we have sidelites on both sides though) and I believe it looks better than any steel door you can show me. In addition, it's very thermally efficient and safe.
»www.simpsondoor.com/door-product···htID=895 |
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pesttech1
join:2001-01-04
Paramount, CA
| reply to onebadmofo
Seems like a fairly decent door maybe spruced up it would look really nice as others have said. Do it yourself entry doors aren't common as one wrong cut for any of the hardware means buying another door. Since you don't feel confident don't do it.
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Poor Planning Produces Piss Poor Performance |
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smerre01
Premium
join:2003-09-23
Greer, SC
1 edit | reply to onebadmofo
I actually have a LOT of experience w/ replacing those type of doors mofo...my father has a window and door business for over 30 years and I grew up doing it.
The glass overhead is a transom, and it is in fact fixed to the door frame (POSSIBLY) You will need to remove the trim around the inside of the door, this will expose the back of the jamb and the studs it is nailed to. You need to locate the areas it was nailed into the studs and remove the nails, then push the door to the inside of the house to remove it.
However once the interior trim is removed you can see if the transom is actually attached to the door frame, I really have a hard time telling from the photo, I have seen these in older homes where the transom was separate but framed in to appear as part of the door. Once you remove the interior trim piece between the transom and door it should be clear to you how they are setup.
I am not 100% on your measurements, are you measuring the panel only or to the jambs as well? There is a company called Jeld-wen that local hardware stores (lowes, etc.) can order from that can make a custom sized door w/ the proper dimensions, and this does include the transom.
Also the most efficient and affordable doors are fiberglass these days, the heat/cold transfer is not as high as steel, and they have a great simulated wood look that can be gel stained. |
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onebadmofo
Repost These Nuts In Your Mouth.
Premium
join:2002-03-30
Reading, PA
·Comcast
| said by smerre01 :I actually have a LOT of experience w/ replacing those type of doors mofo...my father has a window and door business for over 30 years and I grew up doing it. The glass overhead is a transom, and it is in fact fixed to the door frame (POSSIBLY) You will need to remove the trim around the inside of the door, this will expose the back of the jamb and the studs it is nailed to. You need to locate the areas it was nailed into the studs and remove the nails, then push the door to the inside of the house to remove it. However once the interior trim is removed you can see if the transom is actually attached to the door frame, I really have a hard time telling from the photo, I have seen these in older homes where the transom was separate but framed in to appear as part of the door. Once you remove the interior trim piece between the transom and door it should be clear to you how they are setup. I am not 100% on your measurements, are you measuring the panel only or to the jambs as well? There is a company called Jeld-wen that local hardware stores (lowes, etc.) can order from that can make a custom sized door w/ the proper dimensions, and this does include the transom. Also the most efficient and affordable doors are fiberglass these days, the heat/cold transfer is not as high as steel, and they have a great simulated wood look that can be gel stained. But that would cost an arm and a leg.
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smerre01
Premium
join:2003-09-23
Greer, SC | reply to onebadmofo
No more than any other route your about to go down, fiberglass is slightly higher than steel is but not a HUGE blow me away option. |
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Sweet Witch
Be the flame, not the moth.
Premium,MVM
join:2003-07-15
Gallifrey
·Comcast
| reply to onebadmofo
Can you take the door down to a glass place and have them put in insulated glass? It might take reworking the door a bit to make them fit but this way you'd be able to keep the real door with the house and still get the desired effect.
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Shelton, CT
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| reply to smerre01
said by smerre01 :I am not 100% on your measurements, are you measuring the panel only or to the jambs as well? There is a company called Jeld-wen that local hardware stores (lowes, etc.) can order from that can make a custom sized door w/ the proper dimensions, and this does include the transom. That will run you over $1000 as opposed to $350 for a door that is in stock (and they only have 36x80). I know because I've replaced one a couple of months ago |
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smerre01
Premium
join:2003-09-23
Greer, SC
| reply to onebadmofo
I keep looking at your pictures and I am really curious to know if the transom is w/ the door or not, but if you are SERIOUS about replacing the door, pull the interior trim off of it, let us see what is really going on, these older homes make it really tough to determine right away. |
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smerre01
Premium
join:2003-09-23
Greer, SC
| reply to cowboyro
said by cowboyro :said by smerre01 :I am not 100% on your measurements, are you measuring the panel only or to the jambs as well? There is a company called Jeld-wen that local hardware stores (lowes, etc.) can order from that can make a custom sized door w/ the proper dimensions, and this does include the transom. That will run you over $1000 as opposed to $350 for a door that is in stock (and they only have 36x80). I know because I've replaced one a couple of months ago That is why I am questioning the measurement, if it is a "standard" or common size it will be dramatically less. |
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Goober
Premium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
| reply to smerre01
said by smerre01 :Also the most efficient and affordable doors are fiberglass these days, the heat/cold transfer is not as high as steel, and they have a great simulated wood look that can be gel stained. They don't look as good as wood though, which is what the OP is starting with. Unless it's a money matter I suppose, I'd be reluctant to change the look. |
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seederjed
join:2005-02-28
Snellville, GA | reply to onebadmofo
Why not just get an insulated security storm door? |
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smerre01
Premium
join:2003-09-23
Greer, SC
| reply to Goober
said by Goober :said by smerre01 :Also the most efficient and affordable doors are fiberglass these days, the heat/cold transfer is not as high as steel, and they have a great simulated wood look that can be gel stained. They don't look as good as wood though, which is what the OP is starting with. Unless it's a money matter I suppose, I'd be reluctant to change the look. They look almost identical to wood, and in some cases the designs can be very intricate and contemporary.
»www.jeld-wen.com/exteriordoors/fiberglass/
They are not an Ugly door by any means. |
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