How can I home make a basement door, odd size cinder block basement.?

not an egress door, just a plain open and close one, cold air comes in

  4 answers
  • Ken Ken on Oct 12, 2017

    I've built doors out of construction grade 2 x lumber edge glued. Not sure about making it weather tight though. Is there a door jamb that you are trying to fill or do you need to make that too? Knowing the opening size and whether it is square might help.

    • Helen Price Myers Helen Price Myers on Oct 12, 2017

      There is an opening with a place to put the door. It doesn't match ordinary door measurements. The pre. owners built a door and it doesn't fill the bill.

  • Eil22229440 Eil22229440 on Oct 12, 2017

    Get a sliding door and needed parts for attaching it to wall/ceiling. Takes so little space!!!!

  • Ken Ken on Oct 12, 2017

    My MG (car) users group calls those folks DPOs, Dumb Previous Owners. If the jamb is in good shape, solid and square you can use it. It is possible that we could find a door on-line that could be cut down to fit. I've done this a few times and it makes for a nicer looking finished product unless you are desiring "rustic". What are the dimensions for the door you need, and do you have the equipment to do this kind of work? I'm thinking pipe clamps (to make a door), squares, chisels to set the hinges, hole saws to install the lockset, and a circular saw to cut the door to size.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Oct 12, 2017

      Have you checked Habitat for Humanity Restore? mine has about 100 doors right now, and you do find older, narrower doors too. You could cut down any that are too talk easily. I got a nice solid mahogany new door for $99. and they have lots of exterior doors starting at $20.

  • Ken Ken on Oct 12, 2017

    A solid wood panel door 30 x 80 could be cut down pretty easily to fit that size. Unfortunately the doors I have found that are exterior are larger than 30", at least at The Depot and Lowe's. Interior doors are just not sturdy or weather resistant enough. There is always the possibility of finding a used door that could be trimmed down but that's a long shot I think.


    We're back to gluing 2 x 6s or 2 x 4s side by side. You could easily work out what boards will work together to get your 29". Titebond wood glue is sturdy enough but if you put 3 half-inch wooden dowel pins between each it would give some added security. A 1 x 2 across the top and bottom would protect the end grain of the wood.


    This is what I would do to make the least cost sturdiest door. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Glad you're doing it while you still have some time before it's an emergency.