Swapping doors

[BetterDays]

Now, I will make this disclaimer up front.. It would only be a temporary solution.

The door on my garage is 32" wide and one of the doors on the house is 31" wide. Since the house would need to be replaced first, I would like to modify the frame on the garage to fit the 31" door. This would be temporary (probably next year), but would be a much better alternative to the door that is already on the garage (very poor shape, at best).

Is this feasible? This is for the garage (sacrilege on this site, I know) and would be temporary. Doing this would save me a few $$$ for this year as I plan to finally build benches/storage/etc. in the garage.

What concerns would you see, if any?
The only concern I have is the glass for the door in the house. My garage has glass in it, but not nearly as much as the one on the house. Window tint, chicken wire and a little support should hold back possible thieves. Besides, if they wanted in that bad, they would find a way to get in.

Kevin

 

[camarojim]

Now, I will make this disclaimer up front.. It would only be a temporary solution.

The door on my garage is 32" wide and one of the doors on the house is 31" wide. Since the house would need to be replaced first, I would like to modify the frame on the garage to fit the 31" door. This would be temporary (probably next year), but would be a much better alternative to the door that is already on the garage (very poor shape, at best).

Is this feasible? This is for the garage (sacrilege on this site, I know) and would be temporary. Doing this would save me a few $$$ for this year as I plan to finally build benches/storage/etc. in the garage.

What concerns would you see, if any?
The only concern I have is the glass for the door in the house. My garage has glass in it, but not nearly as much as the one on the house. Window tint, chicken wire and a little support should hold back possible thieves. Besides, if they wanted in that bad, they would find a way to get in.



Kevin

Kevin

It should be as easy as taking both doors out of the rough opening frame and adding some material to the garage opening to make the door fit..give yourself 1/2 '' of clearance for the new rough opening, get some new wedge shims and nails and go to it..a sawzall to cut the nails on the old door will make your removal painless ( or less painfull)

since you've got an overhead door, no need for a big walkin door...put some strap grill over the window for security and you'll be good for all but the most determined thief. Oh, and bolt the grill ''thru'' the door- so they can't just yank it off...

motion detect lights if you are worried about bad elements taking your stuff will help some..

Jim

 

[SteveL]

If I read your question correctly, it may actually be easier to add material to the 31" door to make it fit the 32" frame. If you have access to a table saw or at least a hand held circular saw, you could rip the pieces from plain old 2" x 4"s and glue and nail or screw them to the side where the knob goes. You may even get away without having to change the hinges. If the height is close, within 1/8" to 1/4", to the 32" door, you can add some whether stripping to the top or bottom to make up the difference, or if it's too tall, use the circular saw to trim it.

Sand, prime, paint, install the door knob and dedad bolt and you're done. Changing the 32" frame sounds like a lot more work to me.

 

[BetterDays]

I use the man door on a daily basis, so I still need it accessible.

I was trying to figure out if it would be easier to add on to the door or the frame. I never even thought of the door height, but I am pretty sure the garage door is shorter.

What is the best sealer to put on the door (on top of the paint) to help protect it against the elements?

 

[...dave]

If I read your question correctly, it may actually be easier to add material to the 31" door to make it fit the 32" frame. If you have access to a table saw or at least a hand held circular saw, you could rip the pieces from plain old 2" x 4"s and glue and nail or screw them to the side where the knob goes.

If you add an inch of material to the side of the door where the knob is, how will the catch on the knob work? You'd have to move the whole lock-set over by an inch, which would mean relocating it to a different part of the door (vertically) so that you don't have a huge oblong hole... PITA. i'd just add material to the frame on the knob side, then you just have to chisel out new receiver holes for the knob latch (and/or deadbolt), and you're done. i'd probably try to scrounge up an oak 1x2 or something instead of ripping pine lumber, though... If you're doing it to increase security, there's no point in using soft stuff.

...dave

 

[BetterDays]

Security is not really an issue, but I would prefer to be safe than sorry.

I figured adding to the frame would not be bad, as I can mask the side and use several screws through the wood into the frame to make it stronger.

 

[SteveL]

Doh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your idea is much better. Not sure what the hell I was thinking!

 

[Pharmteck]

IMO !

I would not be worth it to try to save the old door... all the ones I have pulled out go to $hit

I have found that if you go to LOWES and look in the back there is a few doors that have been open box, returned, ext. at 1/2 the price. and alot of the time the store manager will mark it down if you ask. last time I got a $265 door for $65

Just an idea