Sliding glass door to French door conversion
#1
07-30-14, 08:38 PM
Sliding glass door to French door conversion
Is it possible to take an old exterior front door, buy a matching one then turn them into French doors to replace my walk out basement sliding glass door?
#2
07-30-14, 09:01 PM
Super Moderator
Unlikely, but possible...expensive, and a lot of careful woodworking. If you are an advanced DIY woodworker and have all the required tools and skills, maybe.
One problem is size. Most (not all) patio doors (including sliding or swinging) are sized to fit in a 72 x 80 (for instance...could also 64 x 80 or 60 x80) rough opening. When you talk entry doors, thats the size of the actual clear door opening inside the frame...not the rough opening. Depending on material of the door, you could try to cut them down in both width and height, quite a bit of work. You would then need a complete new frame of the correct size (which you would also need to cut down). You'd also need the proper sill and cut it down to size. Then you'd need a T-astragal to join the doors in the center.
By the time you buy everything and spend the time making it, you could have purchased a new french door and installed it for less money and less time, with a better result.
One problem is size. Most (not all) patio doors (including sliding or swinging) are sized to fit in a 72 x 80 (for instance...could also 64 x 80 or 60 x80) rough opening. When you talk entry doors, thats the size of the actual clear door opening inside the frame...not the rough opening. Depending on material of the door, you could try to cut them down in both width and height, quite a bit of work. You would then need a complete new frame of the correct size (which you would also need to cut down). You'd also need the proper sill and cut it down to size. Then you'd need a T-astragal to join the doors in the center.
By the time you buy everything and spend the time making it, you could have purchased a new french door and installed it for less money and less time, with a better result.
#3
07-31-14, 03:02 AM
Adding to Vic's sage advice, the front door you propose probably opened inwardly, and french doors open to the outside, so re hinging would be necessary. Go for a total unit. You'll be done by game time.
