Custom width exterior doors available?
#1
09-06-07, 07:47 AM
Custom width exterior doors available?
I need to install a new exterior door. The rough opening height will be fine but the width can only be 30 1/4". This is not a primary entrance door and will lead to a yard/deck area. Opening cannot be any wider due to existing plumbing (which cannot be practically moved) and the proximatey to stairs.
Anyone know where I can custom order a door? I tried a web search, but can't find anything with less then a 31 1/2 opening.....
Anyone know where I can custom order a door? I tried a web search, but can't find anything with less then a 31 1/2 opening.....
#4
09-07-07, 08:58 AM
Custom width exterior doors available?
I tried the local lumber yards - their solution was to utilize an interior door because they could special order any size interior! Big box stores say they can't order that narrow a door.
Any other resources out there?
Any other resources out there?
#5
09-07-07, 07:31 PM
Try Chandlers advise:
4111 Kesslersville Road, Easton, PA
SIZES: From 1/6 x 6/8 to 4/0 x 8/0
Also: if local door job shops exist, inquire if they “restyle” wood doors. Not all will do this. Restyling – cutting a wider door narrower; then reattaching the style.
4111 Kesslersville Road, Easton, PA
SIZES: From 1/6 x 6/8 to 4/0 x 8/0
Also: if local door job shops exist, inquire if they “restyle” wood doors. Not all will do this. Restyling – cutting a wider door narrower; then reattaching the style.
#6
09-08-07, 09:35 AM
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You did not say whether you needed to replace just the door or the door and Jamb. Regardless, a prehung door is nothing more than the sum of several parts.
If you want a "custom door" than you better be thinking solid wood. You will not find a "custom" steel or fiberglass entrance door anywhere.
Door Jamb "kits" are available virtually anywhere doors are sold. They can be purchased as wood or composite materials. They are pre-packaged and sold to fit standard 30x80, 32x80 and 36x80 exterior door. Purchase 1 size larger than what you need . a reasonably competent carpenter should be able to modify the header sid jambs and sill.
You should get a door slab sized slightly larger (but still a standard size door) than the finished opening of the existing jamb ( if you are going to re-use it or the new jamb once its been modified and installed. Obviously someone will have to do the math.
Make sure you order a "solid" wood door, not a solid core door, there is a big difference. A solid wood door can typically be cut down on the side rails as well as the header and bottom by several inches with out affecting it's integrity. Again a competent carpenter will be able to "hang"the modified door. Assuming all materials are on site, it should take a reasonably compentent carpenter with the right tools 3-4 hours to remove the existing door (and jamb) and modify the new jamb kit & door and hang the door.
These door items can be readily found at virtually any lumber yard or big box store or window and door outlet.
Hope this help Good luck.
If you want a "custom door" than you better be thinking solid wood. You will not find a "custom" steel or fiberglass entrance door anywhere.
Door Jamb "kits" are available virtually anywhere doors are sold. They can be purchased as wood or composite materials. They are pre-packaged and sold to fit standard 30x80, 32x80 and 36x80 exterior door. Purchase 1 size larger than what you need . a reasonably competent carpenter should be able to modify the header sid jambs and sill.
You should get a door slab sized slightly larger (but still a standard size door) than the finished opening of the existing jamb ( if you are going to re-use it or the new jamb once its been modified and installed. Obviously someone will have to do the math.
Make sure you order a "solid" wood door, not a solid core door, there is a big difference. A solid wood door can typically be cut down on the side rails as well as the header and bottom by several inches with out affecting it's integrity. Again a competent carpenter will be able to "hang"the modified door. Assuming all materials are on site, it should take a reasonably compentent carpenter with the right tools 3-4 hours to remove the existing door (and jamb) and modify the new jamb kit & door and hang the door.
These door items can be readily found at virtually any lumber yard or big box store or window and door outlet.
Hope this help Good luck.
#7
09-09-07, 05:18 AM
You are talking about a 28" prehung exterior door. Exterior doors are 1 3/4" thick, interior 1 3/8". Big difference when keeping out weather and intruders. And it is unusual to have an exterior that small. It may be difficult to find, but should not be impossible, as you describe. What kind of lumberyards do you have there??
#8
08-22-09, 11:36 AM
Exterior Replacement Door for Interior put on exterior
I have an exterior entry to an attached garage. The entry door is in bad shape, jamb is ok. Also, the entry door is an interior 24 inch door, so it is quite narrow as well. The exterior is brick on a stick wall, so I would prefer not to tear into the brick and change the entry door size, although it would may be better in the long run. It seems that the knucklehead who built my house installed an interior door for an exterior entry (not so secure and is having a tough time with the weather)
I would like to know three things:
1. Does anyone know a place where I may be able to have a plain flat steel door made to replace the interior door (24 inch wide, 1 3/8 inch thick (this may be more than having someone change to a wider door, don't know just have to price it)?
2. If I were to go the el cheepo route and replace my interior door with another interior door, is there an extra tough finish I may be able to put on to withstand the UV and weather. I think that putting in a solid six panel oak door and treating it with a tough exterior stain may be another solution, local big box has 6 panel oak veneer door for $99.00. Should I consider a solid oak door or will that be more money to buy and finish than ordering the custom steel door option in number 1?
3. Other alternatives?
Thanks!
I would like to know three things:
1. Does anyone know a place where I may be able to have a plain flat steel door made to replace the interior door (24 inch wide, 1 3/8 inch thick (this may be more than having someone change to a wider door, don't know just have to price it)?
2. If I were to go the el cheepo route and replace my interior door with another interior door, is there an extra tough finish I may be able to put on to withstand the UV and weather. I think that putting in a solid six panel oak door and treating it with a tough exterior stain may be another solution, local big box has 6 panel oak veneer door for $99.00. Should I consider a solid oak door or will that be more money to buy and finish than ordering the custom steel door option in number 1?
3. Other alternatives?
Thanks!
#9
08-22-09, 06:26 PM
1)You may not be able to find a 1 3/8" thick door as an exterior door. You will be better off replacing the door and frame as a unit.
2) No interior door will withstand the elements as will an exterior door. Oak veneer doors will peel once they get wet. A solid door may stand up, but will be more expensive.
3) Look for a door-in-frame the size you need and replace as a unit. A lot easier than trying to mortise the hinges and locksets in a new steel blank. It may have to be custom made.
2) No interior door will withstand the elements as will an exterior door. Oak veneer doors will peel once they get wet. A solid door may stand up, but will be more expensive.
3) Look for a door-in-frame the size you need and replace as a unit. A lot easier than trying to mortise the hinges and locksets in a new steel blank. It may have to be custom made.
#10
08-25-09, 10:20 AM
Thanks for the advice Chandler. If I were to replace the frame as a unit, is there anything you would advise me to be prepared for?
I recently installed a tile floor, and knew ahead of time that I would have to move an existing exterior door up when before I installed the floor, so I know what I am getting into - but that was wood siding, the header had a 1 1/2" board nailed to the bottom above the door so I didn't have to knotch it. Plainly said - it wasn't too bad.
The door I am talking about in this case, the 24" door - is in a wall that has a brick exterior and stick frame behind the brick. I see a steel plate above the door. This makes me nervous replacing the whole thing, especially if you are talking about taking an interior frame door and replacing it with an exterior door and frame. My guess is that the frame size may not match up and there I am - with a door that is oversized for an opening that I don't want to mess with.
I checked my dimensions with the local lumber supply yards, they say that they have an exterior that can be built down to 24", so I guess that is an option at $322.20
, albeit a bit pricey.
It hurts spending that and still only having a 24 inch door. I'd much rather spend less on a more common door and have a wider opening, like say 36", but then comes the trouble to open up the hole in the wall at more time and money.
So - bottom line - if I replace it at the 24" size, what should I look for to make sure I don't end up with a 24" door and big mess that could have gained me a 30" or 36" door?
Thanks!
I recently installed a tile floor, and knew ahead of time that I would have to move an existing exterior door up when before I installed the floor, so I know what I am getting into - but that was wood siding, the header had a 1 1/2" board nailed to the bottom above the door so I didn't have to knotch it. Plainly said - it wasn't too bad.
The door I am talking about in this case, the 24" door - is in a wall that has a brick exterior and stick frame behind the brick. I see a steel plate above the door. This makes me nervous replacing the whole thing, especially if you are talking about taking an interior frame door and replacing it with an exterior door and frame. My guess is that the frame size may not match up and there I am - with a door that is oversized for an opening that I don't want to mess with.
I checked my dimensions with the local lumber supply yards, they say that they have an exterior that can be built down to 24", so I guess that is an option at $322.20
, albeit a bit pricey.It hurts spending that and still only having a 24 inch door. I'd much rather spend less on a more common door and have a wider opening, like say 36", but then comes the trouble to open up the hole in the wall at more time and money.
So - bottom line - if I replace it at the 24" size, what should I look for to make sure I don't end up with a 24" door and big mess that could have gained me a 30" or 36" door?
Thanks!
#11
08-25-09, 01:52 PM
Does the existing door have brick mold on the outside? Any way you can take a couple of pix of the inside and outside of the door unit so we can see what you see. It would keep us from asking a hundred questions. Post the pix on a site such as photobucket.com and copy/paste the HTML code to your reply. We'll get it in.
