| Author |
Message |
    
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 215
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 2:30 pm: |     |
We're looking to replace our back door with a custom-made pre-hung dutch door (that we're getting from Vintage Year's, a custom door maker in upstate NY). But every time I've mentioned this idea, I've gotten nothing but warnings from friends and neighbors.
"Are you nuts? Do you know how hard it is to put in a brand new door into your 1927 colonial?" -My Next Door Neighbor
"And you want to do this without replacing the existing frame? Good luck!" -A Contractor Friend
"I've hung two doors in my lifetime, and it's not something I'd do again readily. Make sure you hire someone who knows what they are doing!" -George Berkeley
"You need a good carpenter. Actually, you need a master carpenter." -Paul Lewis, from Two Guys from Newstead
"You're spending how much on your stupid dutch door? Why do you want to spend a fortune on a door when you have a perfectly good door now?" -My Mother
Now I can't sleep at night. The door has been ordered and paid for, and I don't have "a master carpenter" who can install the door properly and professionally.
Does anyone have a recommendation?
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Tommy Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 251
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 5:41 pm: | |
Call George the carpenter at 908-436-0315. He does a lot of work in this area.
Also, you might want to private-line sportsnut on this board. He had a door custom made for him, though not a Dutch door. I've seen it, and it's beautiful.
Tom Reingold
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scribbler
Citizen
Username: Scribbler
Post Number: 16
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 7:17 pm: | |
Sorry, Xavier, no referrals for you but I am interested in the Dutch Door supplier. I have wanted one for the interior of my 1927 colonial for quite a while. I would like to keep my very large dog out of certain areas of the house occasionally. The baby gate thing is getting very old and unsightly. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks! |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3061
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 11:11 pm: | |
Xaver, I can not add a lot to the above, but your mother may be the most correct. That said, you can find someone who can install that door. If push became shove, I think I could do it for you over some time, but I can not.
But I just wanted to be clear, and having looked at the problem, it can be done. |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 626
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 8:07 am: | |
Xavier, are you sure we don't have the same mother? |
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 216
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 10:35 am: | |
Deb: I dunno...is my mother coming over to your house and fussing too?
Scribbler: Yester Year's Vintage Doors is in Hammond, NY 315-324-5250
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deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 627
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 12:48 pm: | |
It's possible: Do these statements sound familiar?
1. You spent HOW much for a house with no bathroom on the first floor?
2. You could live in the Taj Mahal for a quarter of the price if you moved near me (in Florida) or your brother (in Ohio).
3. I can't believe the junk you feed your kids. (Similar: I can't believe how much TV you let your kids watch.)
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Musetta
Citizen
Username: Musetta
Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 7:27 am: | |
deborahg, :-)!!! Thanks - I needed that laugh this morning :-) We're moving in less than two weeks to a home that needs some major cosmetic work and I am SO sick of all the unwanted comments and "suggestions" from relatives! My mother went as far as to email my husband job listings in Atlanta!
As far as the door....I don't really get it....what's the big deal if it has to be reframed? It's not all that huge of a job. My brother-in-law/carpenter did our front door, back door and six windows when we moved to this house in a weekend. (granted, they were not Dutch doors and this home was built in the '50s...still....it really should not be a big problem! A cousin of my husband's is fixing up a house in Ireland and putting a brand new door on a home that is a few hundred years old - and it's really not a big deal...don't see why a house from 1927 would be any worse!) I'd keep calling around and find someone who dosen't make a big deal about it. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3268
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 8:02 am: | |
Most of the 75 year old plus houses here have settled to one degree or another. The door frames are usually our of square.
This makes hanging a door in the existing opening rather challenging as the new door has square 90 degree corners, while the existing opening may have corners that are not at 90 degrees.
The easier solution is to have the door prehung in a frame and then instal the whole assembly. This does, however, require that the trim be removed and their is always a chance that it will be damaged, which is a shame if it is oak or chestnut and not painted.
Have fun! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 1682
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 9:52 am: | |
A few years ago, we took the French doors off for some stupid DIY project. HUGE mistake. We waited 3 weeks for the professional carpenter to fit us in. Bobk is right; it's the settling that makes the difference between a 75 y/o house and a 50 y/o house. Definitely get a pro & be prepared to have the trim removed.
Mus, Deb & Xav: No wonder mom wasn't home when I called her last week. She was visiting you guys!  |
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 226
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 10:59 am: | |
My worst nightmare is this:
1. This ridiculously expensive dutch door is mangled during installation.
2. Come winter, the door and/or door jam shrinks and starts letting in cold Maplewood air.
3. A couple of years later, the further settling of the house requires further adjustment, pain, anxiety, money.
4. My mother reminds me that she's raised a bloody fool.
5. My wife agrees and leaves me.
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Mr. Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 336
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 12:17 pm: | |
And imagine what would happen if, instead, cold Irvington air seeped in!
Oops, sorry, this isn't the soapbox.
Tom Reingold
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xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 227
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 7:07 pm: | |
Or worse...illegal students from Irvington!
Oops, sorry, this isn't the education thread. |
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