What’s the best wood for making external doors?

Rickers · Post by **Rickers** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:17 pm

I need to make some new doors for my wife’s glass studio, the previous owner of our house was a builder and I think he built the doors from scratch, because I have not been able to find anything similar. I am going to have a go at building some new doors. I reckon I can copy what’s there but am struggling to know what is the best wood to use and how I should treat it so that that they don’t warp in the winter. Also what size is best to use, the doors that are there currently are made from 80cm x 30cm and I can’t find anything similar. Can anyone help me?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:27 pm

do you have a picture off the doors as we dont know the type or construction method :dunno:

Rickers · Post by **Rickers** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:00 am

I have uploaded all the photos that I have, it looks a fairly rudimentary build, but you may be able to tell me otherwise?

Thanks
Rickers

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dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:12 am

Much will depend on what tools you have available to you. These are fairly simple doors to make as they are not much more than a framed ledged and braced garden gate. Have a look at this video of a guy knocking up a gate to give you an idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yGA2ofCFKk

DWD

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:51 am

Rickers wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:00 am it looks a fairly rudimentary build, but you may be able to tell me otherwise?

I think that's a very charitable description.

Rickers · Post by **Rickers** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:05 am

Thanks for the info, I’ll let you know how I get on.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:19 am

On that video, the guy makes it more complicated than it needs to be in your situiation. You can make the frame using 50 X 50 screwing through the sides into the cross rails. I would use tongue and groove boards over the frame to face it which are better than feather edge boards for both finish and rigidity.

DWD

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:11 pm

general comments
for exterior txg cladding using softwood flooring or t&g cladding the top [end grain ]must be protected
the cladding should fully cover the horizontal timber behind and be the lowest point on the face[top to bottom ]

stevei · Post by **stevei** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:15 pm

It looks like you will need a new frame too. That's the bit you hang the doors on. If you don't need any glass/perspex in the doors, an easier build would be 18mm ply with a basic wood frame on the inside screwed to the ply. You could get the materials cut to size so you would only have to assemble the bits.

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Mon Sep 14, 2020 1:53 pm

Regardless of the doors, if that is mains wiring (looks like it) then it needs some urgent attention. No way would that comply with any electrical regulation since forever.

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:10 am

I've just recently made some gates which are basically the same sort of thing. Timber wise i used off the shelf treated 4x2, 6x2 and matchboard. If you can i'd say use mortice and tenon joints for a stronger construction.