I just moved into a new house that has an existing detached garage. I had not noticed the condition of this door before, but now I realize it needs to be repaired or replaced. FYI, the garage was an as is part of the deal. If anyone in the Apex area does this kind of work and would like to give me a quote, please contact me.
Can this door be saved? Looking for help in Apex
- Thread starter wghatcher
- Start date
Yes, I can straighten it. What are you looking to spend?
Pretty sure it is the door.
Andrew, I guess I am trying to determine what it would cost. If we are close to the cost of a new door, I would probably go that route.
I guess it would depend on whether or not you'd need it refinished. The method I would use would be to inject glue ito the cracks, lay it out on a jig, and clamp it square and then reinforce any weak spots with dowels, screws, bolts, or whatever. If you have a table big enough to fit it, and some sort of syringe and some titebond 3, you could prob do all that. I work out of a shop in Snow Hill. I'd need to coordinate with my boss on price and it'd be easiest if you were able to drop it off.
A new door for that opening will have to be trimmed fit to the opening. Four mortises will have to be made for the hinges plus a deadbolt and a lockset hole will have to be properly drilled. I've done a few entry doors and have found it to be a major pain but that's because I'm no real carpenter.
Maybe consider borrowing a few good long clamps and try to fix the existing door yourself. Either way, it is going to be a labor intensive job.
Maybe consider borrowing a few good long clamps and try to fix the existing door yourself. Either way, it is going to be a labor intensive job.
another advantage of a new door is better insulated, sealed windows… will save more money (energy costs) long term than the cost of replacement.
Maybe it’s the angle, but that door looks like it’s short from cutting the bottom rail.
Measure it and price out a new steel door like Casey recommended—a half lite 3/0 door with jamb is less than $400 out the door from Lowe’s:
36-in x 80-in Steel Half Lite Left-Hand Inswing Ready To Paint Single Front Door with Brickmould Insulating Core https://www.lowes.com/pd/ReliaBilt-...th-Brickmould-4-9-16-In-Jamb-Depth/5013497449
I’m guessing just a half lite slab would be around $200, but I usually check marketplace and Craigslist for slabs. The last one I bought was a 2 panel 3/0 door for $25 with hinges. Homeowner didn’t like it, so the builder replaced it with another.
Is this door in a wood frame building with a wood floor system, or a concrete slab? I would suspect foundation settlement as a possible cause before I went to replace the door. Look closely at the casing on the left side and see that the upper edge of the miter joint at the top is open. If it's a wood frame floor, a few shims and a jack will fix it.
It's the door. Look at the opening joints. Better to replace it with steel or fiber clad. I would replace the whole unit, frame, door and trim. If the door is this bad the frame ain't far from falling apart as well. Replacing the whole unit is the easiest, fastest and likely cheapest solution.
