Is it possible, on a new french door already installed, to switch the operable and fixed panels?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn how to plan, fabricate, and install a chute to conveniently send your dirty clothes from an upstairs bathroom or hallway to your laundry room below.
Featured Video
Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With ViewrailHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I'm not sure I understand what kind of set-up you've got: French doors are double doors, with both doors opening from the center of the unit. Sometimes there are sidelites or frame-and-panel units exterior to the doorway opening, on one or both sides of it, but these panels do not move and normally cannot be made to do so; they are part of the 'frame' of the door unit.
Can you describe your unit more precisely; better yet can you post a photo of it?
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
I guess I should have said "patio Door". The fixed door is definitely meant to
be permanent, but, to save the cost of a new door, I am wondering if its possible
to remove it, mortise hinges on it and make it operable & then do the opposite
to the original operable door.
Sounds like you have two door panels, one that swings and one that doesn't. Not sure what you mean by saving the cost of a new door...is it damaged? Or do you just want to make the other one swing? How is the stationary door held closed...flush bolt? Then you will need to either remove it and filkl the hole, or abandon in place. The install some type of bolt (either flush or surface mounted) on the other door. And what about the door knob holes?
Here's a thought....take both doors off, remortise the hinges so they face the other way, and rehang the doors inside out. Move the astragal to the other side. Drill a hole in the top jamb and sill for the bolts. This might not work if the doors are beveled.
And welcome to breaktime, where the advice is worth every penny you pay for it!
Do it right, or do it twice.
Edited 6/29/2003 7:48:00 PM ET by ELCID72
Still not completely clear on what you've got, but if it's a factory unit, you can be relatively certain the 'fixed' door was built identically to the operating door--it's just been mounted in the frame differently. The likelihood you can bizoune this into what you want isn't great, I don't think. But take a close physical look at the way the thing is built: you should see air nails or staples or screws or bolts or something holding that non-operating door in there--if you don't see any mechanical fasteners, look for telltale glue squeeze out. Decide if you can unfasten it without destroying the frame. Then decide if it's worth your while to build a new frame and hang the salvaged doors from scratch. For a double door set, that's most of a day's work for a pro. As one of the other guys said, it might not be worth it unless it's a custom wood door set made in a small shop.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
The easy answer is, no.
Not without some major work being done.
Even if it were done correctly, it would void the warranty.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
I think the reason you have opposite opinions so fara is that we don't know what you have.
On a factory set up such as an Andersen, Pella or Marvin, with three point locking hardware, Luka is right, it might be cheaper and easier to just totally replace the unit.
But if it is custom built and installed wood doors, it might only be a day's work.
Excellence is its own reward!
If you have a "shop made" double door, it can be done. Double means both doors are hinged, and shop made means the passive leaf, or the door that can be bolted closed, to which the other door latches, is outfitted with a screw-on astragal for the full length of its latch edge.
The astragals of these doors are outfitted with a foam rubber closure fitting at top and bottom. Check to see if that is what you have. These astragals are reversible; they can be switched end for end to screw to either door leaf and reverse "handing."
It is a ten minute job in a door shop, so I suggest you find out from your supplier, who built the unit, and where. If you can work it out with the wholesaler with the door shop (but maybe the lumberyard has a door shop), pick a nice day, dismount both door panels, truck them to the shop, and wait while they do the surgery. Then drive them home and re-install. Voila!