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Add trim to make flat (flush? slab?) interior doors interesting?

15 years ago

We currently have interior doors that are flat--no panels whatsoever. DH hates them, I don't give them any thought. He wants to replace them (they're hollow doors, he wants wood), but he thinks doors are like $50 (ha ha ha). We're about to have all the doors/moulding/windows painted, and a friend suggested adding some skinny wood trim to "make" some panels on them (before they are painted so that it will all look more cohesive after they are painted). The contractor doing work on our bathrooms/closets said that would look tacky and to just leave the doors flat. Any thoughts? Anyone BTDT?

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bella_on

15 years ago

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Comments (14)

eandhl
15 years ago
My bet, by the time you bought the trim, had a carpenter cut, miter and install it all you might do just as well to buy new solid wood doors.
avajen
15 years ago
DH just did this on our home before we sold. We had the flat brown (old) wood doors. He made a 2 panel door out of shoe molding. After it was painted white it looked awesome, like a new door. Each door cost $20.00, but he did the work himself. HTH
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Suzyq53 - that is TALL! They look great from the pictures. Another cabinet maker I know suggested I should shorten mine to 42" because of the strain on the hardware and how much more effort it takes to open them - something about the bigger doors causing a "suction" and a resistance to open. I wonder if you experience that? Also curious about your hardware. I'm not seeing handles on yours - I was wondering if they were the kind you push and they snap open? thanks again for all of this - it's so helpful to know what is possible, and also by the photos to see what things look like.
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Mark Bischak, Architect "Everything depends on the details." - RES A fact worth repeating. My version: "Everything depends on the details, including the budget" JRG Its about money. Style and architecture adjusts to budgets. If you'll let them, some tract builders paint a false trim on their stucco. Head into a high end custom neighborhood. Windows are substantial, often recessed, with some heft to the trim. I'm thinking about a previous project in a Truckee gated community. The siding was board on board cedar, totaling 3" thickness (mimicked on lesser priced homes with 5/8" T111 plywood) with the window trims using a minimum of 2" thick rough sawn, 3" thick sills and thicker when needed. Real stone, 4-6" thick vs synthetic.
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embees
15 years ago
The trim level of the door is a personal preference, but I will add some weight to DH's preference... Solid wood doors make a big difference in the sound transmissions in your house. And they just plan feel good to operate :)

If your doors are standard height, around here you can get a six panel pre-framed door for $50ish (depending on width) in pine, oak approximately $20 more. If you plan to paint them, you can go down to paint grade, which will make them cheaper. So he's not too far off on price, assuming you just want something real basic.
User
15 years ago
I would not bother trying to dress up a hollow-core door. They are often made of inferior wood that takes many coats of paint to look smooth and nice. If you plan to live in the house I would definitely get nicer, more soundproof, doors.
bella_on
15 years ago
DH applied mouldings to all our ugly brown hollow doors, painted them B.M. Cloud White...and they look beautiful. If I can figure out how to post a pic, will do. My pics are in Picture Project and have no idea how to get them over here.
bella_on
15 years ago
pics of our doors....I hope it works, need help with photobucket
bella_on
15 years ago
ok...think I have finally figured this out, has only taken me an hour.
fishfacenj
Original Author
15 years ago
bella, those are beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to post the photo (I'm sorry it took so long!!) You'll have to give me pointers--we're in the midst of two bathroom gut renovations and a kitchen face-lift and painting. Hopefully the results will be such that I'll want to post them :)
bella_on
15 years ago
bella_on
15 years ago
I just asked DH how much it cost for each door, and he can't remember, since he did it over a year ago. We bought the trim pieces at a Lumber Centre. All I know it is quite abit cheaper than buying new doors. We did 5 in all, both sides...very pleased with the results. DH is very handy, built my kitchen for me from scratch....good excuse for all new tools. We tried out different configurations of panels on paper first, working around where the handles were...I liked this one the best.
Lyban zone 4
15 years ago
Your husband did a great job. The doors turned out beautifully.
acountryfarm
15 years ago
I love that you did this. They look beautiful.
I am really happy to see when people DIY these home projects.
Good Job !!!
brutuses
15 years ago
bela, beautiful doors. Good point mentioning where you bought the materials. Most people think that HD and Lowe's are the lowest on price for trims, when in fact, they are way too high, especially if you need a few 8' lengths of anything. We purchased 99% of our trim from a local lumbar yard and the other 1% from a trim and molding from a wholesale warehouse. Check your local Craigs list under "supplies" and see if there are any wholesale suppliers in your area. You'll possibly save some money.

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