New internal doors

milliebear00001

Hi there

I want to replace my downstairs internal doors. It's a Victorian house and the door sizes are roughly the 1980mm x 760mm size (give or take a bit on each one.

I need to buy a door that can be shaved or cut down to the correct sizes, but am unsure how to buy these? I assume if I buy a veneered door, that the joiner won't be able to shave or cut them? Am I better going for a clear pine? I assume these are all solid, rather than veneered, but don't really know?

Any suggestions for where to go for best prices for the doors and good quality door furniture would be much appreciated as well!

Thanks.

planemad

All doors normally come with an instructions on how much can be cut from each end of the door with affecting its integrity.

I have had veneer door shaved down before so cannot see a problem but best take a look at the instructions on the door as this will guide you.

don't forget to take equal amount off - if you want 20mm off in total take 10mm from the top and 10mm from the bottom.

Best also go for 3 hinges to stop central warping. normal spacing of hinges is 6" down from top 8" up from bottom and other hinge central.

phill99

planemad wrote: »

Best also go for 3 hinges to stop central warping.

Rubbish.

I've hung hundeds of doors in my time and not one has warped. The reason you put a third hinge centrally is because of the weight. Soild timber doors and fire doors always have three hinges because of the weight. Hollow doors can be hung with 2 hinges.

If you go for a veneered door, there is a thick (10 - 15mm) veneer lipping on the sides so that you can plane small amounts off without affecting the aesthetics of the door. The top and vottom rails will normally be softwood as you don't see these when they are trimmed.
You need to ask for 30" x 78" doors when you buy them They are a standard size and the choice is huge.

leveller2911

phill99 wrote: »

planemad wrote: »

Best also go for 3 hinges to stop central warping.

Rubbish.

I've hung hundeds of doors in my time and not one has warped. The reason you put a third hinge centrally is because of the weight. Soild timber doors and fire doors always have three hinges because of the weight. Hollow doors can be hung with 2 hinges.


Considering adding an extra hinge costs next to nothing and 3 always looks better that two why would you not put 3 hinges on?.I too have hung hundreds and hundreds of doors over the years and

TBH Ive always fitted 3 hinges ,even on hollow core doors.Would just add that IMO fitting the third hinge can indeed keep a bent door staright on the hinge side, any door can be bowed even hollow doors can be bowed....


Its interesting to see what Planemad says about spacing of hinges as a general rule we were taught on our apprenticeship was 6" down ,9" up then 3rd hinge central of the two... Many tradesmen will also fit them 5" down and 8" up......

flashg67

phill99 wrote: »

planemad wrote: »

Best also go for 3 hinges to stop central warping.

Rubbish.

I've hung hundeds of doors in my time and not one has warped..

You seem experienced so are probably correct but.....
not the politest of responses.... Also, how do you know - perhaps there are 'hundreds' of people out there cursing you and their two-hinged warped doors

leveller2911

flashg67 wrote: »

phill99 wrote: »

planemad wrote: »

Best also go for 3 hinges to stop central warping.

You seem experienced so are probably correct but.....
not the politest of responses.... Also, how do you know - perhaps there are 'hundreds' of people out there cursing you and their two-hinged warped doors

Well you made me chuckle........:D

Also when you buy door sets (handles,latch and hinges, not a fan as theyre cheap and nasty) they normally always have 3 hinges...

planemad

I have always found that the cheaper pine doors warp the most, but this is just my observation.

I have found that with really heavy fire door that the chippy puts the 3rd hinge about 12" below the top hinge and not central like most.

leveller2911

planemad wrote: »

I have always found that the cheaper pine doors warp the most, but this is just my observation.

I have found that with really heavy fire door that the chippy puts the 3rd hinge about 12" below the top hinge and not central like most.

The 3rd hinge placed below the top hinge on firecheck doors is to help take the weight of the door.If it placed centally its wouldn't as efficient in taking the weight of the door...

milliebear00001

Thanks for all the advice! I will check with the supplier re. how much 'planing is available on their veneered doors as these seem the cheapest option other than pine. Will definitely go for three hinges as mine with be part glazed. I have crappy pine doors now and these have two hinges - most of them are tilting as the hinges can't take the weight!

dickibobboy

I have just come into this problem with one of the doors in my house yet all the rest are normal!

As I needed to match the rest of the doors in the house I found b&q do the door (order only) which needs trimming to the width and is only a few cm too short. I plan to hang the door and fill the frame with some wood and painted to blend into the frame.