1950 Doors

Question

I hate these doors. I'm not a carpenter. Was wondering if these would look better painted? What can I do with these door knobs? The plating or whatever is coming off. I bought new knobs.  The holes in the door don't line up. If I hired a carpender, could he drill new holes or would this not work?

Liliana Wells · Answer

We had the same doors in aprevious house. They made the hallway dark, so we took them off thehinges, cleaned them, sanded them lightly and painted them white. We usedthe same hardware after cleaning all the knobs. We thought, buying newhardware would be too complicated as you find out. You can also adddesigns/stencils to the door or add trim to it. See also http://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/doors/door-facelift-4063911 some inspiration. Good luck.

The Chirping Frog · Answer

You could add some trimwork to jazz them up......

Carole · Answer

If the new knobs don't fit the holes, I would return them to where you bought them. Remove one of the existing knobs and take it with you to size up for buying new. Once the doors are painted it won't matter if the knobs are the same type as you already have as they will look better as they are new and won't be all tarnished. I would paint white and try to go with a silver colour door knob rather than that gold/brassy colour. If you are adding trim to your doors, be careful if the doors are very lightweight and hollow. You don't want to wreck the doors bashing nails in. A strong glue might be better to hold on any wooden battens or trim that you might want to add to give the door some character. Ask in your hardware store as I don't know what brands they sell where you are.

Cathy Kurpil · Answer

spray paint the old hardware, return the new. Remove doors clean and paint white.

Z · Answer

@rose, do you just hate that they are flat or are you not liking the wood itself? 
As for the hardware, I'm with @Cathy, and would remove them to spray paint them. To protect them I'd advise using a few coats of spray on polyurethane too.

The Chirping Frog · Answer

This was a recent post here on hometalk..... You could get a similar effect with wallpaper....? http://www.hometalk.com/diy/home-tours/idea-to-use-new-panel-stencil-5861102

AvonelleRed · Answer

I would do something like this: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/windows/adding-trim-to-doors-3062128

Heather · Answer

I have the same doors and I thought about taking them off and retrofitting antique doors...not sure if I could find a match with the sizes though. Just a thought...

Dusty · Answer

That was our solution. Doors were found curbside or at our town landfill (they put aside useful things). We collected and installed them over a period of a couple of years and returned our 1920's era interior to a more authentic look. It's a shame to waste those old doors - they're so well crafted.

Dianne Methner · Answer

Sand varnish off, purchase small trim molding, measure and cut each corner at a 45 degree cut. Nail onto doors in the shape of small rectangles going in from the sides about 4'. Make three or four of your rectangle boxes then prime door and paint. This would look nice stained. This gives your doors the illusion of having more depth. Hope this helps and good luck. P.S. if you bring all your measurements to your local big box store, they will cut it for you. You will only need two measurements for this project. :)

Trudy Bledsoe · Answer

My son just bought a house built in 1951. He replaced all the doorknobs & hinges. The doors had little holes for the doorknobs. So he ordered from Lowes a guide you clip on the door and drill out the bigger hole. Worked like a charm. I'm sorry I don't know exactly what it is called, but I'm sure a hardware store would know.  He had brass type hardware & replaced it with brushed nickel.

JBug · Answer

Wow...this hits home. Our whole house has these types of doors/finish. I'm going to paint my bathroom in the next month and I have decided to, at least paint the one side, of the door that goes out into the hallway and paint the 'closet door' that is inside the bathroom. on both sides. If that looks good then look out.......I hate painting but something has to be done to improve the look.

Sofia Saraiva · Answer

Here's an example

Djr778659 · Answer

I've painted and decorated these doors.  They do need more paint to cover that ugly wood though!!  The trim really dressed them up.  We've moved in the meantime and I haven't talked hubby into doing the same thing here, though I did paint closet doors and one bedroom door.

The Chirping Frog · Answer

Whatever you decide post after pictures.... Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Lucille T · Answer

All my doors in my condo are like this. I painted all of them. Used Kilnz as a base because it covers so good. 
Then used paint made to paint cupboards. Not at home now so I don't have access to the name or brand. I got it at Home Depot or Lowes in the home remodeling section where you buy cupboards The Door knob problem I don't not know. Not quite sure what your problem is there. Didn't understand the post.

Sheri Nolen · Answer

Yes, painting is a great idea. You could give it a distressed look and you could either add a hook for different wreaths or add some words or be really artistic and draw and paint something.

Rosie Walsh · Answer

I did all the doors and woodwork in my former house. It was amazing how great and light filled the areas were after. Would recommend doing one at a time, one side at a time. Clean really well as a first step. Put the door on saw horses. Tape around the hinges and knobs. Buy the very best primer you can find. Don't settle for a lesser one to save a few dollars. And ask the pros at the paint store which brush they recommend. A really good brush is worth its weight in gold. Also ask about sanding, which grit they recommend, and learn how to thoroughly remove all the sanding dust. Sounds like a lot of work, but I think you'll be rewarded!!!

Susan george · Answer

I have these awful doors also, and until I can afford new ones I painted mine... I took one off at a time and spray painted with white semi-gloss first before painting with a paint pad for the second coat with a good white paint.........saves a lot of work to spray the first coat!
I also sprayed the hinges and knob with hammered sp.paint by rustoleum.......much better for now........good luck

Recreate · Answer

Paint can change alot and it would change these doors for sure, you will not be disappointed. Even if you just paint for now and maybe some time down the road ask someone you know to put trim on for you , but paint will help and brighten the area too. For the cost of paint to the price of new doors does not compare. GO FOR IT!1

Kim Dagenais · Answer

Hi Rose Just the other day I saw something online somewhere about making plain doors look great with some added simple trims. I don't know exactly the site and didn't save it because none of the doors in my home are completely flat, so I couldn't use the idea. Anyway I did a search online and came up with this site. This girl completely changed the look of one of her plain doors by adding trim work. Here is the link: http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.ca/2014/06/foyer-update-diy-salvaged-door.html. I guess just copy and paste the link to see her door transformation step by step. I am going to save this idea now that I found it since it is a great door transformation.

Jan · Answer

@sofia saraiva great job with the door. Loved how you added bead board to the front and changed the door knob.

Mansetomboy · Answer

Very nicely done! The whole entrance is looking fresh, functional and balanced. The 'new old' door connects with the accessories on the opposite wall and all of it goes very well with the white walls and the wood floor. The light fixture is the cherry on the cake. Congrats, hard-working gal!

Bra373318 · Answer

Have two coats professionally sprayed with good quality oil paint. Nothing you can do at home will look as good.

N. Susan Hart · Answer

We have these doors from the 60's. We just had a large renovation done in the house that included painting the doors and woodwork the same color. We also changed out all the hardware. The result is amazing. You would love it with yours I think.

Z · Answer

Rose, since you're not happy with them at all, then I'd paint them. If you like the paneled idea, you can even get that look, with just paint too. Check out the video below for the easiest way to do that.

Grace Gleason · Answer

@rose Which holes in the door don't line up? Do you have the wrong backset? Latch sets come with different backsets. Some sets are adjustable. Read this: http://www.lowes.com/projects/build-and-remodel/determine-the-backset-of-your-door/project

Jan · Answer

sofia,
there was a picture of 2 doors, one old and one painted white. Like the video above instead of paint they used 1/4 inch molding stripes, glued those one, then painted the door and changed the hardwood. It was really nice.. Not sure where the picture went.

Teri Mauerman Shehorn · Answer

Add some inexpensive trim molding sold at any home improvement store. some are not solid wood, more like compressed styrofoam. Decide on your design, measure and add a few feet for drops (the short pieces at the end of trim pieces that are unuseable), sand the door first, using a good quality glue you can glue the pieces on, caulk and paint. Here is one example. http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/b-n-n-s.html

Vicki O · Answer

I saw the doors, they used simple trim and trimmed them out and then painted. They looked modern and beautiful.

1950 Doors

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1950 Doors

Door Facelift

A New Decorating Surface is Born. Don't Ignore Your Doors.

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Suggested Project Book