On 9/27/2011 2:46 AM, harry wrote:
On Sep 27, 1:40 am, Higgs wrote:
Some months ago I posted this pic of my side door, the bottom of which
had been ruined by watering nearby shrubs. I tore away loose stuff,
looking for ways to repair rather than replace.

http://tinypic.com/r/j09t3l/7

Among the NG replies was one which said it would cost me more to fix
it than replace it. I always believe the last person that tells me
anythingg so I inquired about replacement. The bid I got from a
door guy was about $340?

On second thoughts, I don't see why I should spend $$$ I can ill
afford, doing away with a perfectly sound door.

I am thinking about glueing (sp?), screwing, nailing, attaching
somehow, a piece of metal (or lumber coved at the top) that would
bridge the eroded portionm and possibly filling in underneath with
Bondo, or?

Sound feasible?

TIA

HB

The reason that door has rotted is more likely to do with weather
getting in that cat flap than watering the shrubbery.
Doors are cheap, the expensive bit is having them fitted.
You would need to take the door off to make a decent repair so you may
as well get a new/another door and fit it.

In the UK we have "Architectural Salvage" places.
=we sell second hand/demolition materials/**** including old doors.
Are there no such places in the USA?

Yes, but mainly in older urban areas. Most of US does not have
population density for such companies to make a go of it. Closest thing
around here is Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where remodelers can drop
off leftovers and ripout material, and get a small tax credit. (Profits
used for HfH building projects, where they rehab/build starter homes for
poor folk.)


In OP's position, I'd buy a solid door slab, new or used, and whittle it
to fit. Any in-place repairs would end up looking like crap, and not
lasting well. The basic structure of the door slab has gotten wet under
that masonite-looking skin, and it is always going to change shape as
weather changes. I'd jump all over a $340 installed price, if I didn't
have the tools and jigs to do the hinge mortises and lockset holes, or
to cut in the window holes. I'd lose the pet door.
--
aem sends...