Hi All,

I'm needing to install new doors on my workshop (door opening 2m high
x 2.5m wide total). I am replacing the all wood construction with a
box section door frame and the doors themselves will be wood in an
angle frame. I need a bit of advice on the type of wood to use. I
have to keep the cost reasonable and while I would love Oak etc. the
price just rules it out. Speaking to a few sawmills and Jewsons, they
seem to be recommending dressed redwood pine. Is this a good choice
for a set of external doors? Idealy I don't want to paint the wood but
rather use a clear varnish of some type, should I coat it with
something like Johnsons Waterproofing first?

Any advice gratefully accepted.

I'm guessing with an angle iron frame that the fit will not be
particularly close (i.e. you're not worried about draughts), and that
they would be able to take a considerable weight?

What sort of woodworking facilities do you have - or does it have to
be pretty much finished timber apart from sawing to length?

It would be terrifically heavy, require quite a lot of heavy work, and
wouldn't offer a close fit - but thick, heavy, green oak boards aren't
very expensive, and will look wonderful as they age.

Another option is reclaimed timber, particularly floorboards.

The cheap and easy option is new pine floorboards.

Well drained oak doesn't require protection (it'll show splits as it
dries, and turn silver grey), but otherwise look at Sikkens wood
stains.

BTW - why go for the angle iron door frame - is it simply that you
metal better than wood?

On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:15:29 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:


I'm guessing with an angle iron frame that the fit will not be
particularly close (i.e. you're not worried about draughts), and that
they would be able to take a considerable weight?

The doors will be mounted on a heavy box section frame.
Draughtproofing will be important but I have close fits on the angle
frames and the doorframe and I'm sure I can find some sort of draught
strip I can use between the frames.


What sort of woodworking facilities do you have - or does it have to
be pretty much finished timber apart from sawing to length?

Pretty good facilities I suppose, Bandsaw, Routers/ router table,
planer thicknesser etc. Pretty much a full woodworking setup (my
future hobby :-) I can T&G the boards and plane them up no problem.


It would be terrifically heavy, require quite a lot of heavy work, and
wouldn't offer a close fit - but thick, heavy, green oak boards aren't
very expensive, and will look wonderful as they age.

Not thought of green oak, my machinery can handle it no problem and
there is a sawmill at Fairlie I could ask.....


Another option is reclaimed timber, particularly floorboards.

I'll look into that, thanks.


The cheap and easy option is new pine floorboards.

I've got this idea somehow that pine will disintegrate, at least the
stuff our local DIY are trying to push on me :-)


Well drained oak doesn't require protection (it'll show splits as it
dries, and turn silver grey), but otherwise look at Sikkens wood
stains.

BTW - why go for the angle iron door frame - is it simply that you
metal better than wood?

A couple of reasons, first, I work in the local forge and
welding/fabrication is my trade. Second, security, living in a very
rural location on a farm, I need to protect this investment from light
fingers. Also I thought it might look nice to have the frame in black
and the wood a natural finish which would hopefully show it off a
little.

Many thanks for the help, gave me a bit to think about