Hi, my 1923 house has a 31" X 6' door that accesses the stairway to the
basement. It has a large window and is only 1 3/8" thick. Anyone have any
ideas about a good solid replacement that would help with heat loss as well?
Thanks,
Chas

Chas12 wrote:
Hi, my 1923 house has a 31" X 6' door that accesses the stairway to the
basement. It has a large window and is only 1 3/8" thick. Anyone have any
ideas about a good solid replacement that would help with heat loss as well?
Thanks,
Chas

Just cut a regular door down.
cut the hinge side of a regular 32" wide door, this would look normal.
(even with glass in it)

just plan the bottom cut when you are shopping, see how it can be done.

chickenwing wrote:
Chas12 wrote:
Hi, my 1923 house has a 31" X 6' door that accesses the stairway to the
basement. It has a large window and is only 1 3/8" thick. Anyone have any
ideas about a good solid replacement that would help with heat loss as well?
Thanks,
Chas

Just cut a regular door down.
cut the hinge side of a regular 32" wide door, this would look normal.
(even with glass in it)

just plan the bottom cut when you are shopping, see how it can be done.

If your concerned about the depth!

see what you can add or remove from the jamb to make it work, just line
it up.
I think you're gonna pay less this route,
oppossed to a custom made door.

I agree that changing the door jamb to make it wider should be the
first choice. Hopefully there is enough space there to make a 32" wide
door usable (even if you have to sahve it some. 1" off the sides is a
lot.

wrote:
I agree that changing the door jamb to make it wider should be the
first choice. Hopefully there is enough space there to make a 32" wide
door usable (even if you have to sahve it some. 1" off the sides is a
lot.

I think you've got that backwards. I believe buffalowings was advising
to add wood to the jamb(s) to make the opening narrower so a 30" door
would fit.

R

chickenwing wrote:
chickenwing wrote:
Chas12 wrote:
Hi, my 1923 house has a 31" X 6' door that accesses the stairway to the
basement. It has a large window and is only 1 3/8" thick. Anyone have any
ideas about a good solid replacement that would help with heat loss as well?
Thanks,
Chas

Just cut a regular door down.
cut the hinge side of a regular 32" wide door, this would look normal.
(even with glass in it)

just plan the bottom cut when you are shopping, see how it can be done.

If your concerned about the depth!

see what you can add or remove from the jamb to make it work, just line it up.
I think you're gonna pay less this route, oppossed to a custom made door.

I just reread your post after "clarifying" it for someone else. Oops.
You do have subtract (remove) from the jambs. Not sure how you could
remove an inch of wood from any normal jamb without removing one entire
side.

Adding to the jamb would also allow you to increase the depth of the
jamb since you'd probably want the security and longevity of an
exterior door (1 3/4") instead of an interior door (1 3/8").

R

RicodJour wrote:

R

I think he should get a 32" door and cut 1" off the hinge side.
one lousy inch...big deal.
even with glass in the door, who's gonna see a 1" off center glass
Im just thinking it will be cheaper.

you think maybe add to the jamb and use smaller door?
hmmm, maybe better as far as appearances...id have to see the jamb.

Thanks Guys, the jamb is not in the greatest shape, but that is the best
access to the basement for large objects. If I get a door with a window, I
will just rip 1/2' of each side, but I think I will be going full solid
door. HOWEVER, the idea of adding to the jamb still is a thought, because
there would be fresh wood to mount to.
Chas

you think maybe add to the jamb and use smaller door?
hmmm, maybe better as far as appearances...id have to see the jamb.