Entry door recommendations

[tmshort]

I need a new entry door for my shop.

It is a stick built building, the current door is a Jeld-Wen or equivalent big box store door (I think - I didn't install it). It is ****, and the frame at the bottom has completely rotted out.

Part of the problem is it is north facing, and the barn is a gambrel roof with no gutters. Moisture is definitely an issue.

I want something secure and sturdy. All of the big box offerings seem about the same level of (****) quality. I am on the fence about a small window up top - would like the light, but not sure about security.

Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[yeldogt]

So water flows down over the door?

Most doors are not installed properly -- people always install them w/o any pan and they wick water.

Most of those big box are metal or fiberglass? Is the door failing as well?

 

[tmshort]

It doesn't flow down over it, there is a 1' or so overhang. But it drips down to the base of the door / building, and being north facing it doesn't dry out fast. There isn't pooling of water, etc.

The metal door itself is fine.

Thanks

 

[Stuart in MN]

If the door itself is still okay, splice in treated wood to replace the lower portions of the frame. Alternately, I believe you can get new prehung doors with treated wood or composite frames that won't rot.

 

[tmshort]

If the door itself is still okay, splice in treated wood to replace the lower portions of the frame. Alternately, I believe you can get new prehung doors with treated wood or composite frames that won't rot.

Thanks. I thought about repairs, but the overall install is poorly done, there is some rot on the 2x4 framing around it that needs work, etc - so if I am going to pull the frame anyway I am going to replace it.

 

[pmiranda]

Even the big box stores can order you a better door, but it sounds like the door itself is fine and you just need a new PT frame?

 

[jonshonda]

I would try and take care of the water issue first, then get yourself a new door. Commercial door with all metal frame and construction would be best. Maybe put some foam silplate seal under it to help provide a moisture barrier. If you do end up going with wood, don't forget to seal the bottoms of the jambs with a good paint. Most of them are left raw, and being fast growing wood it is not dense and easily wicks up moisture.

 

[Chevy-SS]

So, you want something waterproof, secure, sturdy and something that isn't ****. I'm with you on all counts, which is why I've maintained relationship with a couple of local millwork guys that I use for ordering doors. I got to know them through various contractors I've hired over the years.

For a good quality door, I honestly don't mind paying double or triple the price of big-box store. So I would recommend find yourself local millwork guy who knows his stuff and go there to find the door of your dreams. But be prepared to pay.

 

[captain14]

Have you considered a small porch or overhang for the service door?

My door faces the north too and gets all the weather. After replacing some of the doorframe components due to rot, etc. I built a small 6x6 “porch” that covers the door area well. The door and frame don’t get soaked in a driving rain. If you can keep the weather off it, the maintenance drops drastically.

As a bonus, you can place a chair outside for breaks as you plan your next step of the project.

 

[Innovate1]

I put a 30" overhanging wide canopy over mine but still used a door with PVC frame because in a storm the bottom of the door can still get wet. It's crazy there aren't better options readily available. Some of the doors claim a waterproof sill but then the wood side jambs sit right of the sill where they will wick water. After a bunch of looking I found a place that made the entire frame from PVC. Wasn't that much more. Some places finger joint in the lowest section of jamb of PVC with the upper sections of wood - those should probably hold up pretty well too.

 

[zippyslug31]

Can't comment on the water or security topic, but I put a half-light door in my shop. I love all the light it brings in and allows me to see out. I'm in a pretty low-risk area tho, so security isn't huge to me. If it were, I'd think one could pretty easily put some kind of ornamental "bars" (mesh?) on the glass.

 

[nadogail]

We found an advertisement from a shop that makes architectural quality doors in a shop in Mexico. The front door on our house is so heavy that it takes a crew to stand it up and the hinges have grease fittings. The window panel is also hinged and is a good lift for one man.

it seems that in Mexico there are homeowners who feel they need an impressive amount of security. That may be due to the territorial conflicts among the cartels in the pharmaceutical trade.

I will not disclose the name of the Ornamental Iron Company that fabricated the door because we learned they were not properly licensed to operate in California.

Perhaps you could find a local to you shop that can fabricate a very strong door and then after powder coating install it for you.

 

[pmiranda]

Fun story: My dad was a sales rep for Masonite in S. America many years ago. One of their product lines were beautiful, tall solid wood doors with nice paneling details inside and out, heavy duty hinges... and steel plate laminated in the core!

 

[Ilikeike]

I put a couple of these pre-hung SS doors in our shipping container storage sheds.
https://www.grainger.com/product/HARVARD-PRODUCTS-Security-Door-3TKD2?

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I put a couple of these pre-hung SS doors in our shipping container storage sheds.
https://www.grainger.com/product/HARVARD-PRODUCTS-Security-Door-3TKD2?

You get what you pay for?
Seems like a great selection!

 

[tmshort]

Have you considered a small porch or overhang for the service door?

My door faces the north too and gets all the weather. After replacing some of the doorframe components due to rot, etc. I built a small 6x6 “porch” that covers the door area well. The door and frame don’t get soaked in a driving rain. If you can keep the weather off it, the maintenance drops drastically.

As a bonus, you can place a chair outside for breaks as you plan your next step of the project.

I like that idea - got any pics?
Would definitely help the water issue. Gutters would be nice, but the way the eave is constructed would require some odd brackets or something for mounting.

 

[tmshort]

I put a couple of these pre-hung SS doors in our shipping container storage sheds.
https://www.grainger.com/product/HARVARD-PRODUCTS-Security-Door-3TKD2?

Those look nice but holy **** they are pricey!

Definitely would not be the weak point in shop security...

 

[captain14]

I like that idea - got any pics?
Would definitely help the water issue. Gutters would be nice, but the way the eave is constructed would require some odd brackets or something for mounting.

It’s just a basic lean to on the back of the garage. Two 8x8 posts support the rafters, roof framing and rolled roofing was put down due to the low pitch.Added a Wood ceiling along with a light and exterior electric box. Gutter and downspout finished it up along with pavers placed in a sand bed.

Here’s something similar but mine is larger framing material. Hope this helps. This one is one the gable end

Here another one that is built very similar to mine but tied to the roof

https://www.protradecraft.com/video/how-attach-patio-roof-existing-house

 

[Shovelhead]

With your situation I would think you need to frame it out where it opens to the outside like on metal buildings. That keeps the frame work to the inside.

Don’t know if that’s possible but may be worth looking at.

 

[captain14]

With your situation I would think you need to frame it out where it opens to the outside like on metal buildings. That keeps the frame work to the inside.

Don’t know if that’s possible but may be worth looking at.

My garage is 10x20 and the door swings outward. Typical of houses of the Era.
All the finger jointed jambs were exposed to the weather and fell apart. The new jamb I installed was just a 1x6 and I drilled the holes for the deadbolt and door knob striker to enter. It seems to be holding up now.

 

[matt_i]

I went with Lumbermans door ironically purchased from a, well, lumber yard.

https://www.lumbermens-inc.com/exterior/

Just a plain, solid 3'0" x 7'0" door, nothing exotic like they have pictured there as I recall its fiberglass and has some synthetic casing in the bottom 12-18"..forgetting some of the details here.

In any case it was very easy to install and adjust.

It has a custom jamb reinforcement.

 

[vision8]

Make a door jamb out of 2" x 2" angle iron ; either weld or drill and tap the corners with 90 degree plates then install weather shipping inside stop to door thickness + .Lag bolt door frame into existing building .

 

[Melancholia]

Hey there! Finding a new entry door for your shop sounds like a good plan, especially considering the issues you've been facing with the current one. Dealing with rot and moisture can be quite frustrating. It's great that you're looking for something secure and sturdy this time around.

While it's true that many big box store doors can sometimes disappoint in terms of quality, there are still some options worth exploring. You might want to consider looking beyond those offerings and exploring different types of French Doors. They can provide both aesthetic appeal and functionality, and there are options available that prioritize security without compromising on style.