Where to find a front door like this?
by
Dana T
+8
I am looking to replace the original front door in our 1949(ish) cape cod located in central Illinois. I would love to be able to find something new and efficient with this same glass pattern. We've looked at our local Menards and Lowe's, but no luck so far. Any ideas?
10 answers
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A custom door shop can make you one. Most production run doors now are MDF and veneer overlay and do not handle use as exterior doors nowdays unless they are well protected from sun, rain and wind with overhang roof and storm door
Nichter's Home Services Corp
on Mar 10, 2012
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We have a brand new storm door installed already. I am open to a manufactured door if I can find one with the same panels and shape to the glass.
Dana T
on Mar 11, 2012
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If you already have a "storm" door...why do you want to replace it? is it damaged?. The "thermal" performance of a soild wood door like this with a good sealed storm door installed would not be much of an improvement. In this case the "upgrade" would not be worth the loss of the original charm. If you have minor "sealing" issues some new and improved weather stripping may be enough.
KMS Woodworks
on Mar 11, 2012
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There are gaps around the door. You can easily see daylight around most of it and even through the door itself. We could feel drafts around it before we replaced the storm door. The bottom of the door has water damage and has leaked enough to affect the hardwood floors right by the door. The previous owner also nailed it shut in multiple places. I agree that replacing the door will loose some of the charm. But after refinishing the hardwood floors and the closet doors right next to it, it is far from charming right now. Given the nail holes, cracks, and water damage - is it worth trying to refinish rather than completely replace?
Dana T
on Mar 11, 2012
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Ok...it was hard to tell from the basic pic. You could have a custom unit made. http://www.etodoors.com/custom-doors or go with one of their "stock" doors. Getting a "prehung" would provide the better "sealing" weather wise.
KMS Woodworks
on Mar 11, 2012
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I misunderstood some of this... You might be able to use one of these and have an applique added over the glass to grant you the same appearance http://www.thermatru.com/products/entry/fiberglass-entry-doors/cca/index.aspx
Nichter's Home Services Corp
on Mar 12, 2012
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I stumbled upon this door: http://www.doors4home.com/p-162-ac-704-gc.aspx what do you think?
Adam B
on Apr 27, 2012
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You would be surprised what wood putty and clamps can do to an old door. It can also fill the nail holes and any cracks. After a good sanding, paint this door. There are rubbber strips that can be attached to the bottom of doors to keep out everything. Even a spacer can be glued and with a little wood putty, can be made to appear seamless. A painted door is beautiful and can add a lot of personality to your home. Do not be too quick to discard this door because sometimes getting a new door properly installed can be more trouble than you can imagine. If you do decide to replace it, make sure you get a reputable person to do it and make sure you get a guarantee on his work. Not just every handyman can hang a door in an existing opening. We replaced our wooden front door with a metal one which had decorative beveled glass in half of it. I LOVE IT! LOVE the light coming in.
Jeanette S
on May 20, 2012
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Maybe take it to a professional refinisher? It might be expensive, but so is a new door, and you would still have the original door. Or what about a salvage yard, like black dog salvage?
Susannekbullis
on Sep 18, 2015
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What a beautiful door. Have you tried your local Salvage Company? they usually have everything or at least know where to find what you're looking for. Best of luck.
Diana Deiley
on Mar 26, 2016
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