Source for customized french doors?

I'm in NH in a 1900 or so farmhouse. It is feeling cold and to better direct the wood stove heat I'd like to be able to close off an interior area without losing the natural light. A double French door seems a nice way to do it, but after doing some on-line searching I haven't found a suitable size . It is presently a finished wood framed opening 52" wide by 77" tall. I can frame to reduce the width to a standard size but do not have flexibility on the height. Any suggestions? Like are there suppliers of custom sizes or unfinished open centre doors that could be cut down and converted into French doors?

 

Welcome to the forums!! It may cost more, but most manufacturers worth their salt can special order doors in almost any size. Cutting down a french door set up would really be a task, although doable. I have obtained custom windows and doors from Jeld Wen, but we have a local outlet here in our sleepy town. If the cost is prohibitive, then you can buy a french door set (2-24") which would require a RO of about 51", so you are close. Since you won't be using the threshold, you can remove the doors and cut the frame legs to the size you need. Next would be trimming the bottom of the doors off to leave a minimal space between the door and the floor, since you will be using them for air control. Scribe your line on the bottom of the door with a razor knife and cut the door with a sharp circular saw on the waste side of your scribe. That way you won't end up with splinters or boogers on the bottom of the door. Hang the doors and watch the game.

 

I don't know if it's a viable option but mobile home doors are typically 76" tall. You might want to check out a MH supply house.

 

Contact your local millwork shops as they should be able to custom cut a door or window. They often use a mfg. door, and modify it based on your particular needs. In my case, I was able to use a local millwork shop who used a standard sized Plastpro door but installed another mfg’s (i.e., ODL) impact resistant glass insert. I wanted both the door and glass to at least satisfy the Florida (wind-borne debris region) building code, and preferably satisfy the more stringent Miami-Dade County building code. Prices can vary widely so do some price comparison shopping and understand what kind of door and other major materials would be used so that you’re getting an apple-to-apple quality comparison.

If you reside in a sleepy hollow location, you may have very limited choices. If not far from major cities, there should be lots of choices.

 

Thank you for the good information, I'll look into these things.