I have a nice 4 panel painted panel front door. I’d like to let some more light into the front of my house and get a view of the front glassed entrance enclosure.
I’m thinking of possibly removing the door’s two top panels and the top 5/8 of the vertical stile and replacing it w/ some beveled glass.
Any ideas on if this will work or if I’ll need to reinforced the door in some way ?
Seems like a simple enough. And I plan to pay to have the door pro stripped. Then stain it to make it look more of a restoration.
Thanks
Replies
To let more light in the room and to allow view into the good looking mud room, I cut the two lower panels (upper's were already glass) out (which were splitting-idea was to replace with plywood panels) and set two panes of tempered or safety glass (important). This was in a wood door. Used stops that were beaded qtrround which matched the upper stops. Can't understand the part of cutting into the vert. stile?
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Cheaper to buy a new door.
That probably depends on the size and the installation hassle. Old doors often are not "standard" sizes. My front door is 40" wide, and I just replaced three of the rear doors. One was a standard 36" but that was an addition. The other two were non-standard heights. Had to special order.
The door is a 36"
By vertical stile I meant the middle/cental style. I want to remove it from between the middle and top rail and allow for one piece of beveled tempered glass.
I will look into cost on a new door vs doing the glass and stripping. Didn't think it would be close.
Edited 6/6/2006 2:34 pm ET by greenmacheen
there is a guy locally who does this I see his ads in the shopper so it can be done . ad shows a plain panel door and him standing next to it with a glass nsert then next picture it shows the glass in the door .
IVE never actully seen one hes done heres a link to his site
http://www.devinsdecorativeglass.com/aboutus.html
Edited 6/6/2006 3:08 pm ET by skip555
I don't agree that a new door will be less expensive, but I would like to be absolutely certain that the old door is in good shape first.
When cutting out the panels and "central stile"--correct term "mullion"--I use a plunge router and straight edge.
1. Cut out the sticking around the two panels, leaving the mullion in
place.
2. Saw out the midsection of the mullion leaving a couple of inches
on each end.
3. Gently wiggle the rest of the mullion out from the top rail and
the midrail. Be careful here! There could be dowell pins hold-
ing it in place. Try not to damage the rails.
4. Fill in the dowell holes-if needed.
5. Caulk, install glass, and cut new glass bead to fit, be careful with
your nailing, and get out the Windex.
Terry
"Go Mavs!"
Mullion got it.I'll try to get some before and after pics for this. I think it is going to be a huge visual improvement.