How Do I Get a New Door for an Old House?
The idea of replacing a door seems pretty straightforward. And it is. You take the old door off and put the new one in.
In an old house, you may want to replace just the door and leave the original frame and trim alone.
Custom storm door built by Broden Millwork, Middletown RI. The Designer is Kelli Rugg of KPR Interiors.
1. Measure the Existing Frame
In the past, door sizes seemed to have been less uniform. Today the construction industry has standard sizes, but old doors can be slightly off those standards.
The frame may also have settled with the building over the years. I see this in almost every old door I look at. The frame may be wider at the top than the bottom or one side may be longer than the other.
The gap between the door and frame should be an even reveal, about the thickness of a nickel, as one seasoned carpenter once told me. That is roughly 3/32".
If the frame is out of square, a template can be made so the new door can be sized to match before installation. Arch top doors can be more complicated and may require a template. We use 3D scanning to capture the shape of these non-standard frames.
2. Check the Historic Requirements
If the house is in a historic district, check the rules before replacing the door. Many require approval or an exact match.
New doors for the Old State House on Benefit St. in Providence. Restoration by Rhode Island company Martone Construction and doors built by Paul Evans, Schnepel Woodworking, located in Providence, RI.
3. Choose Your Option
A. Restore
Restoration is certainly worth considering. The door is taken away to a door spa somewhere for some well-deserved rejuvenation. It can be stripped, repaired and refinished.
The downside is the door may be gone for a month or two. In the meantime, the opening needs to be covered with plywood or a temporary door installed. A full restoration can also cost about the same as a new door.
Creative customer waiting for her door to return from the spa before the holidays.
If what is really bothering you is a draft, the door rubbing along the bottom or some loose hardware, try the cheap and cheerful approach first. Some weatherstripping from the hardware store, a few adjustments and maybe a fresh coat of paint may be all you need.
Restored door gloss painted by ZK Painting, owned by Rhode Islander Zach Kenney.
Finding a salvaged door is also an option if you happen to find one close to the size you need. It can be downsized some, but after a while the proportions start to look off.
B. Stock Door
Big-box stores tend to stock prehung doors. A prehung door is the door and frame together. You could discard the frame and just use the door, though the hinge locations probably won't line up.
Doors without frames are ordered through a door dealer or lumberyard. The door will arrive perfectly square, though as we know, the frame may not be.
This will require some carpentry. The door will need to be shaved and cut to fit. The hinges and handles will also need to be cut in.
C. Custom Wood Door
A custom wood door is usually the best bet for an old frame.
The new door can be made to fit the frame. If the frame is out of square, it can be sized from measurements or a template before it ever gets to the house.
This is also where you can match the details of the old door. Narrow muntin bars around the glass, unique mouldings and panel details can all be reproduced.
To be honest, this isn’t a DIY project for most people. Your best bet is usually finding a local carpenter who knows how to hang a door in an old frame.
Ambitious young carpenter tuning up an old door.
You could try looking for an ambitious young gun trying to prove himself. Give them a crooked old frame, a perfectly square new door and a sharp hand plane. That’s pretty much how I got into this whole line of work.
Or find a seasoned carpenter with a toolbox that speaks of a craftsman.
Don’t be surprised if it takes an entire day or more. There’s a bit of work in getting it just right.
Ready to replace one door?
If you’re replacing one door and want to keep the existing frame and trim, start with the door options online. We’ll help confirm the final dimensions and production details before anything custom is made.
Several doors or something more complicated?
If you’re matching existing doors, dealing with unusual openings, coordinating doors and hardware, or working on a larger historic project, start with Build a Project.