Cutting down and exterior steel door?
#1
01-07-05, 09:38 AM
Cutting down and exterior steel door?
I need to replace the exterior door that opens in from and exterior stairwell leading to my basement.
One problem. The house was built in the 20's and probably originally had a dirt floor. At some point in time someone poured a concrete floor. So now I have a door that is about 5'8" high (door slab, not rough opening). The width is OK for a standard door.
Is there anyway to cut down an exterior steel door? I could probably custom order the size I need, but custom always = BIG$$.
Thanks,
Joel
One problem. The house was built in the 20's and probably originally had a dirt floor. At some point in time someone poured a concrete floor. So now I have a door that is about 5'8" high (door slab, not rough opening). The width is OK for a standard door.
Is there anyway to cut down an exterior steel door? I could probably custom order the size I need, but custom always = BIG$$.
Thanks,
Joel
#2
01-09-05, 05:53 AM
You are on the right track, but you are thinking about starting with the WRONG DOOR!
Look at the anatomy of a steel door -- 2 thin sheets of steel, a wood frame that is about 1" to 1-1/2" wide, and a foam fill inside that wood frame. You go cutting 25" or 30" off of the height of the door, and you eliminate the bottom of the wood frame. The door will fall apart in a few years (or sooner).
I suggest that you start with a solid core WOOD door, seal the bottom as soon as you cut it off, and then install a shoe that extends about an inch up both the interior and the exteerior sides of the door, and has a drip cap on the exterior side.
Look at the anatomy of a steel door -- 2 thin sheets of steel, a wood frame that is about 1" to 1-1/2" wide, and a foam fill inside that wood frame. You go cutting 25" or 30" off of the height of the door, and you eliminate the bottom of the wood frame. The door will fall apart in a few years (or sooner).
I suggest that you start with a solid core WOOD door, seal the bottom as soon as you cut it off, and then install a shoe that extends about an inch up both the interior and the exteerior sides of the door, and has a drip cap on the exterior side.
