How to replace this front door?

[fitzhue]

We just bought an older house and the front door is in need of replacement. Because this isn't a typical door installation that I have seen and am familiar with such as in a newer house, I am not sure how to go about replacing it, especially with the curved panel on top. Any Anandtech home repair experts care to chime in? Thanks.

http://i.imgur.com/oLwMcbA.jpg

 

[Belegost]

1) Does the whole frame need replacing, or just the door. The door itself looks fairly standard, if perhaps a bit narrow for a front door.

2) Even the frame looks pretty standard, looks like the arched opening was filled out with a header on top to provide a standard squared opening. Sides look like an extra firring strip and shimming. Then some sheathing or ply on top.

I would start by taking a flat bar and carefully prying up the sheet above the door frame to get a peek at how they filled the arch, and whether it needs to be redone, or can be left intact.

 

[fitzhue]

1) Does the whole frame need replacing, or just the door. The door itself looks fairly standard, if perhaps a bit narrow for a front door.

2) Even the frame looks pretty standard, looks like the arched opening was filled out with a header on top to provide a standard squared opening. Sides look like an extra firring strip and shimming. Then some sheathing or ply on top.

I would start by taking a flat bar and carefully prying up the sheet above the door frame to get a peek at how they filled the arch, and whether it needs to be redone, or can be left intact.

I think the whole frame needs to be replaced. The door jamb is all dented and scratched. The door lets light in on the sides so it is going to be very drafty in the winter. So you are saying its likely just a piece of curved plywood on top to fill out the frame? That shouldn't be too hard to replace. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Humpy]

I think that's a nice looking door. I would just repair/refinish and add quality gasketing to weather seal it.

 

[paperfist]

I think that's a nice looking door. I would just repair/refinish and add quality gasketing to weather seal it.

Yeah it is nice looking.

If you don't want to re-stain it and your handy you could fix the frame with bondo and sand the door and paint it. Will take some elbow grease of course.

 

[Humpy]

It might even be less work to do a quality repair than to replace. The jamb looks stucco'd in on the exterior and maybe plastered in on the interior. Tearing it out opens a whole can o' worms.

 

[fitzhue]

All good points, thanks. I didn't even really think about repairing it. The door does have a lot of character. I'm pretty handy with staining/sanding and repairs. So how do you go about with the bondo? Take all the latching hardware off, clean, sand, bondo, paint? I have no problem taking the door off, sanding, staining, etc.

 

[paperfist]

All good points, thanks. I didn't even really think about repairing it. The door does have a lot of character. I'm pretty handy with staining/sanding and repairs. So how do you go about with the bondo? Take all the latching hardware off, clean, sand, bondo, paint? I have no problem taking the door off, sanding, staining, etc.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/doors/how-to-repair-rotted-wood/view-all

Just go really easy with the bondo, it's very hard to sand if you use too much.

And it's not stainable so if you use it on the door you'll have to paint it a solid color.

What's the width on that door? It almost looks like a 24"

 

[fitzhue]

Not sure about the width, I'll have to measure when I get home. Any decent stainable wood filler options? I like the idea of sanding and staining the front of the door, but the bottom needs to be repaired. Are there any stainable wood fillers out there strong enough?

 

[paperfist]

Was just wondering about the size as it looks small and replacement doors if it's the size I'm thinking doesn't usually come in a lot of variety.

I've personally never had any luck with the stainable fillers. Never seem to stain well or look like the same color as the part you are repairing.

The old timers say you can mix saw dust from the actual project, in this case your door with wood filler to make a stainable patch. I never tried that though.

There's

 

[Humpy]

It looks like some veneer has chipped off near the bottom of the door?

I've successfully repaired something like that a couple of ways.

One is to patch it in with wood. Use a router and/or chisel to flatten out an area, glue in a matching "dutchman", sand and stain. This works well with easily matched wood.

I've also filled the area and then faux finished with paint. Sand and stain the door ignoring the defects. Remove a small sample of the refinished wood near the damaged area and take it in to get some color matched paint (It sucks that you usually have to buy a gallon?). Bondo the defect and carefully blend in the area with paint. Apply a couple top coats to the whole door. Almost no one will ever notice the small painted spot.

I have not found a decent stainable filler. The glue and sawdust will somewhat work for filling nail holes but doesn't really work elsewhere.

Other options are a decorative kick plate or paint.