Roger Haar wrote:
Hi,

I have just build an exterior gate ( or door)
with six panels and fanned slats at the top. It
is redwood and all very pretty with a mexican
flair.

Here is my question/problem:

Panels in a door need to float so as to respond
to changes in humidity. Here in Arizona it change
from very hot and very dry to hot and damp
quickly.

But it would be nice to seal the seam at the
bottom of each panel to keep the rain out of the
dado that receives the bottom of the panel.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Roger Haar

forget trying to keep the water out. configure the door so that water
that gets in can flow through and finish all trapped surfaces before
assembly. consider holding the panel in with removeable stops rather
than fixing it in a groove.