We purchased our current home in 2006 primarily because it was close to work and was a single level home. We’d been living in a tri-level and both my wife and I were tired of all the stairs. Although not openly discussed at the time, I don’t believe we purchased this house thinking it would be the place we’d retire. However, with the economic downturn, 401K shrinkage and other things, that thinking has shifted–we may stay here.
Perhaps in part because of this, 2009 has been one of home improvement and renovation projects–painting, new flooring, a sun room addition, rebuilding a deck and the latest project this week, hanging a new front door. The old door was cracked and had been painted a couple of times.
Now, I haven’t done many of these projects myself but this week I’m hanging that new front door. We had a couple of contractors out to look at the door for estimates but it seems no one wants to hang a new door blank in the current frame. They all want to put in a pre-framed door.
This would normally be my first choice as well but our front door has a skylight above the door that’s part of the framing and is tied into an exterior stucco finish. So no one wants to touch it without “mucho buck$” (thousands of dollars.)
I finally located a company (Millwork for Less) which makes beautiful doors and will sell just the door without the frame. The doors can include insulated beveled glass inserts–so I ordered one via the Internet with a central glass panel. I ordered it unfinished (they do offer finishes) with a double bore for the hardware and it was delivered to the house last Friday.
Yesterday, I hung the new door. It wasn’t too hard of a job but did require some planing of the door as the frame is not perfectly square. The door latch matched up with the position of the old one but the dead bolt is going to require a new hole in the door frame.
I’ll start finishing the door probably tomorrow using an Old Maple finish giving it a deep rich look.
Going this do-it-yourself route was about a fifth the cost we were quoted by the contractors. Got to save money for that photographic and Mac computer gear! ;-)
This doesn’t finish my list of handyman “to do” projects–seems like every time I check one off the top a new one appears at the bottom.
Yep, those lists just keep on growing. :-)
There was a time when I did a lot more stuff on my own. I then moved towards letting the “professional” do it. I told myself they could do if faster, better and had the tools. That’s not always the best choice. I also know there is a certain satisfaction we get when we do it ourselves. Great job, Earl. What’s next on the list?
Mmmm, nice picture on that wood chisel and the pieces of wood…. Those compositions really works with short dof. Place an old man leaning on his elbow beside these objects, with a nice cup of steaming espresso, and you have a perfect ad for any coffee brand. :-)
And great you succeeded to find a door that could be tailored for your door way. I have recently started to looking around for different suppliers of home stuff, and I have to say the this market is slightly unexplored, at least over here. Those firms that gets out on the Internet , offering configurable/customised products like a door, they have a good chance becoming really successful.
@Monte: You’re right there is a lot of satisfaction that comes with making something happen or work using your own two hands. I’ll have to check with my supervisor to see what’s coming up next on the list. :-)
@Ove: Hey, that old man with the steaming cup of espresso sounds like me just before I picked up the camera and took the photo. ;-)
I’ll take your list over mine; every time I get something done I look at the list and there are THREE more projects on it. :-(
@Eric: Sounds like you’d make more progress by doing nothing! ;-)
The door looks real nice Earl.
Earl, having been fortunate enough to visit your house and see your handiwork, I have no doubt that this door project will be completed with the same amount of excellence as your other projects!
As Mark said, the door does look real nice. That maple stain is perfect!
I admire you hanging the door in the existing frame. You can now enjoy your door and its rich color and still have the original skylight. Nice going!
@Mark: Many thanks!
@Paul: Perhaps you can stop back by some weekend and see the finished product–we could shoot Bull Hole again!
@Don: Well it was originally about saving the money but I’ve gotten a lot of satisfaction from the successful accomplishment.
There is nothing like a solid wood door! I installed two a few years ago and my back is still hurting as they weighed a ton. The around the house projects just never seem to end during the summer. Next you might find yourself painting the house.
Congratulations on your handyman skills. This sounds like quite an undertaking. It sounds as if you have had an extremely productive summer in terms of home improvement. The door looks great. I know the finish turned out to be beautiful.