Today's project is to change the front door around…as you stand inside, reversing it from a right-side opener to one where the handle, latch, and security lock are on the left. This means turning the door around—possible because the outside and inside are identical—and switching the outside hardware to the inside and vice versa; the hinges on the door only need to be moved from old inside to new inside, which is the same edge—though the flap of the hinges which fasten to the jamb must be relocated to the opposite side of the frame, and new holes cut on the opposite jamb for the latch, deadbolt lock, and their strike plates. So holes must be filled in the former and cut out in the latter.
You're doubtless confused. I understand. I'm almost confused doing the writing, and I know precisely what I'm describing. It one of those things that's easier to show than tell.
Why would smart people elect to subject themselves to such a mess? Well, our main entryway door—what we call the "front" door, though it's really located on the side corner, near the river end of the cottage—was hung wrong when we bought the place. The door opens into the great room. There's about a 4x6 ft. sunken entry, a 6 in. down-step from the main floor level.
As you face the door, the end wall of the cottage is at your right shoulder. Logically, and logistically from a good design standpoint, this door ought to swing open against the end wall. Instead, it swings to your left, smack in the way, so you have to back up to give the door room to swing…at which point you bump your heels on the step-up to the main floor. So you have to unlatch the door, and swing it open while stepping back and up at the same time.
Some folks can operate a screwdriver…they just don't have the I.Q. of a screwdriver.
As a carpenter's son, I find the door clumsy, dangerous, and gratingly inelegant. Hence today's long-needed project. I'll post a pic whenever I get the thing done—reversed, new hardware installed, painted on the outside and stained and varnished inside.
14 comments:
This all sounds completely beyond my comprehension and certainly beyond my capabilities to attempt Grizz - but I have every faith that you will complete it in good time.
Who would have thought there could be so much pain in a door. Seriously. It does sound like it needed to be done though. Good luck.
Nothing like things not being the way they should be to make one really crazy, so I understand the need to "fix" your door...lol! Hope all goes well and that you are pleased with the end result.
Weaver…
I agree—it does sound both terribly confusing and like an awful lot of work. Most of that is because it's one of those things easier shown than written—like how to tie a shoelace. It is some work, but not as much as it appears, or I wouldn't be counting on muddling my way through. At least I hope that's the case…
Rubye Jack…
It surely does need doing because it an inconvenient mess trying to come and go through that door sometimes—especially carrying stuff. But I gotta tell you, it never ceases to amaze me why some folks don't do a job right to begin with.
Jayne…
Well, I'll be pleased if I can rehang the reversed door plumb and square, if I can install the new hardware without a hitch, if I get the new latch and lock holes located correctly and cut right…and if I don't cut, mash, puncture, abrade or in some other manner cause my delicate old carcass pain or injury during the process. It would also be a plus if the door worked afterwards.
Ah--the crux of the issue: you are a carpenter's son. Many of us might have an intuitive sense that something is NOT quite right, but not be able to describe it.
As the daughter of a carpenter-I wouldn't have survived all these years with a door I would cuss at everyday due to illogical bad design.It might be just simpler to hang upside down on the otherside and quess who is at the door by looking at their shoes:)
KGMom…
My father worked in wood all his life—though he graduated college and began a career for many years as a school teacher. But later on, after WWII, he became a carpenter…not just any sort of carpenter, mind you—but a "finish carpenter." He worked in the fine materials of oak and maple, cherry, walnut and similar hardwoods, putting the finishing touches on custom homes. He also built acoustic guitars, furniture, and turned wooden bowls. Dad was a patient perfectionist, as much artist as craftsman. He knew wood, had an affinity for its grain and texture. In his hands, wood could be shaped into anything. Wood seemed to respond to his touch.
Doors were a big deal with my father. He wouldn't use pre-hung doors. "Amateur stuff, Sonny," he'd say. "For those who don't know how to hang a door."
Dad built his own jambs, stops, header, and threshold. He selected his doors with an keen eye to the way a particular door bowed and cupped…and he used this natural tendency to take advantage, to make them a better-fitting door. He knew, too, that it was important to allow a door time to acclimate to a new environment before putting it up. And when he was done, they were hung perfectly square and straight and plumb, they swung and latched right…and everything was so closely fitted and aligned you couldn't slide a dollar bill through if they were shut.
So naturally, a lot of that rubbed off—though compared to my father, I'm somewhere between a wood butcher and borderline incompetent. But I'm aware of doors and their shortcomings, know a well-hung and designed door when I see one. And with that knowledge banging around in my head, I can eventually be aggravated to the point of repairing a bad door myself to the best of my mediocre abilities.
Which I've been doing all day and will be doing, off and on, for the next couple of days, or a month it it takes it—which very well may prove to be the case given how today went.
AfromTO said...
Trust me, there has been many a time when—amid falling over the dog or guests or myself—I wanted to take an axe to the thing…and afterwards, just put up a sheet of plywood which you scooted in and out of the opening. But it's actually a pretty nice door, and suits the character of the place. Plus it wasn't the door's fault it got hung wrong.
Grizz, sounds like a fun task! Want some help? I'll be back in the area around Christmas time and would be willing to spend an hour or two or three or four to help.
Unknown…
I heard a rumor you might return then—and I figure you'd always work for good eats and stimulating conversation. Right? Unfortunately, long before Christmas I'll (we'll) have either gotten it done or called in someone who can. FYI, at the moment it is simply propped in the opening, with towels stuffed across to top to keep it from falling, the holes from the hardware I removed duct taped. We ran out of daylight yesterday, I had to work today plus it rained, and is supposed to rain tomorrow. But with good weather and luck, we'll get it finished on Wednesday…at least all but the painting and varnishing.
Maybe.
I hope.
Y'know, you'd keep those Christmas days open—just in case.
What Weaver said.
Robin…
Well, tomorrow we'll put the day at it—and other than finishes, should be done. I hope.
Post a Comment