This is a do it yourself project (porch enclosure). I need to trim out the exterior of the doors (Pella Clad). The width between doors is about nine inches. My Wife would like this to be a smooth continuous white finish. I’ve considered ply and solid pine. What type of ply, what thickness? Should I just put it on in nine inch widths the entire height of the doors? Does it need more trim around the door edges? If so is it brick moulding or some other type? Will this look too busy with trim around the edges?
I’m planning on using vertical tongue and grove above the doors to match the rest of the home so I will need to butt this against the trim. Any ideas for joining the T&G and trim?
See picture for clarification.
Thanks
Replies
Paul
If you want to trim between the doors with a flat trim they make a MDF product that is water proof, just used some at work about a week ago, cant think of the name of the product. I'll check if you want.
The problem with plywood is you have the unfinished ends to contend with. If the ends are concealed between the door jambs(cant quit see if they are from the picture) then you could use MDO, its a ply that has a paper surface on it, they use it to make signs so it can take the weather. It paints up great.
Doug
Edited to add;
I went back and looked at the picture some more, I dont see any reason that you couldnt butt the t&g on top of the trim that you put around the doors. I would, along with the trim between the doors, also put a piece above the doors, running horizontally. Then put my t & g above that. You look like you have enough overhang on the house that water wont be much of a problem but I would still flash between the t&g and the door trim. Maybe you dont need to but I'm not sure on that, cant see your house from here.
Edited 5/9/2004 1:04 pm ET by Doug@es
See additional pic. Yeah. I was going to trim above the door also. The MDF sounds good, does it paint well and is it pricey? Will the MDO stand up to the weather as well os the MDF?
Thanks
Paul
As Duane said, they make highway signs out of MDO.
If you dont have to treat the edge of the ply I would use the MDO, even then glueing on some 1/8" edgebanding where ever edges are exposed will take care of all that.
Either one you chose its not overly expensive. You may have some difficulty trying to find the exterior mdf though. Its not all that common.
Doug
hey Doug, is that stuff called Medex? or am I having a senior moment?View Image
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
The pronunciation sounds right, dont know about the spelling though.
Doug
heh? I did not pronounce it?..your 'puter got text to speech? if so it is Stephen Hawkings voice, and we all know he is a geek..<G>
I might check into some of that stuff..cheaper than the plastic I bet.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Get hooked on fonics man! I just prononced it the way you spelled it.
I didnt actually go pay for the stuff but I thought my boss said that it wasnt all that expensive!
Dont realy know what that means though.
It cut kinda hard, I would guess that its harder on blades than reg MDF.
We are using it for some cabinets that are going to be out on a partialy covered patio, supposed to be ok for that, its not directly in the elements. Dont know what all it can take as far as weather goes. Ive heard that it can take most anything though.
Doug
It's Miratec, but I have no idea how to pronounce it<G> I used some to replace a fascia back in Dec. A 1x6 was $11.99.
I left some of the scrap rips in the weather, to see if I was gonna endup with a callback. No change. Hard to believe it's MDF! Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Thanks for the help in the past. I ended up using MDO which worked out great. Now to the interior!!
SWMBO likes the look in the first picture. The second shot is what I have to work with. I'm thinking of using hardwood faced plywood between the doors and putting a cove piece on the edges of the plywood. I guess I'll have to put cleats on the back of the plywood to give them a holdoff to give the look she wants.
I'm really open to suggestions.
Thanks
OOPS, can't seem to attach pictures.
Edited 2/10/2005 11:18 am ET by Paul1
if youre up for the tedious amount of work, Planing down(if you have a bansaw you can resaw them first) old framing lumber (im in the pacific NW and the old stuff is very tight grain and pretty) there are black stains where nails went through and nicks.. it looks great if you like that kind of look.______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Okay. I'm going to try and attach pictures again. Okay, the button doesn't work, what's wrong.
Do you have a popup killer running?
Ah Ha! Norton had me blocked! Thanks.
The first picture is the look she wants.
The second and third are what I have to work with. It is 8 - 10 inches between doors. It looks like I need 3/4 to 1 inch to stand proud. Please feel free to comment on methods and materials. Thanks for your help in the past.
Thanks
but us folks on dial up....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Oops. I'll do better after I learn to resize, promise.
for da dial-uppers______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Thanks for resizing.
Bump
damn Son..where ya gonna put the couch? and hang the pictures? and the gun rack?..cant nail into glass...
Seriously, Doug got ya all set..I like MDO..ALOT..great stuff there. the exterior MDF..my jury is still out..
invest in windex..the stock will soar..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Resistance is futile! I do only what SWMBO declares.
they make hi way signs from MDO...not MDF, if that helps
"I WILL OBEY>>>>I WILL OBEY"
bad case of PW there Paul...LOL
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Two more questions. First, the MDO looks kind of thin, do you think it will "look" right? Have you guys used the waterproof MDF, it seemd to come in thicker sheets.
Second, what do you think of additional trim next to the door frames?
Paul
You can get MDO in 3/4", you can always shim behind if you need it to stand proud of the jambs.
Doug
well, 3/4'' mdo is available and ya could space it out any thickness..air behind it is a good thing..
As far as additional trim, that's what I do, so yes ADD TRIM..I tell evryone that..it really depends on your (her) preference, and what are you going to compliment, or clash with..if ya just add a small door stop type detail it mat get lost..where a fluted casing might overwhelm..
pretty open for debate as to what "Fits"...me, I add something.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Hey, I didnt know that roofers got Sunday off!!!
Whats up with that?
Doug
ah, the HO is a MOMMA..can't be putting my leg through the cieling during dinner..
almost did yesterday..peeled up a rotten hunk of sheathing, and was looking in the closet space of the eave/kneewall up stairs..bunch of junk got in his golf bag...oopps.
ya woulda thought there was some insulation, but no..1/2 ply and shingles between his closet and the rest of Kentucky.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
paul. With MDO about 60 (b/4 plywood scare)/4x8 sheet, Koma 5/4 x 10 x 18' ----80 some dollars each. And you mentioning pricey? with a 1/4 mill worth of doors and panels.............?................You be the judge. You'd get alot of the uprights out of a sheet of MDO, but you'd get the length across the head with the koma.
Are those single units fixed ?
Could you show us the view you are gonna be looking at out that glass?
Thanks.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
6 fixed, two single French and one double French. Most started out as returns to the Pella store, about half price or less. Half were the wrong color, so I painted all to match. I’m into the doors for about 4 grand total.
I couldn’t find those Koma lengths and widths at the Depot. I think they were pricier too. I haven’t priced the MDO yet. I’ll check some other stores.
The view out back is a small patio and a yard that slopes up to the neighbors back lot. The enclosure will add about 300 sq ft of much needed space so we can have an eating area off the kitchen and some room added to the family room.
All the sliders (3) door and windows will be coming out.
Edited 5/9/2004 7:20 pm ET by Paul1
Miratec may be a brand name, as is GP Primetrim and MEDEX. for all the family of water resistant MDF products. MDO is fantastic if the edges don't have to show.
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Paul-
I would doubt if HD has 18' Koma, if they carry it at all. Go find a real lumber yard and they should be able to help you. I deal with Huston Lumber here in NJ, but any yard that caters to the contractors is much more likely to stock it than any of the big boxes.
Thanks paul, I had no idea this was an added space. How's it orient to the sun?
I have special ordered both Koma and Azek pvc trim from a local lumberyard. If HD doesn't carry it, another reason to keep your locals going. We just lost a family lumber dealer with a 58 yr history. The first yard I did business with. A sad day when they close.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
A little history on the sheet products if anybody is interested.
MDO: Medium Density Overlay. The overlay being the paper face. As stated before, used for exterior sighns, using an exterior glue. Can be ordered with one or two faces (the paper). I usualy order two sides even if one side will be hidden; for moisture ballance. Also pant the edges before you install for added longevity.
HDO: High Density Overlay. Has a hardboard face for concrete form work.
MDF: Medium Density Fiberboard. This name covers a lot of version. 1.Norbond: A cheaper version of the standard, has a percentage of hardwood contant. Good for making cheap furniture like you see on the trading spaces show. 2. Panfibre: ####soft wood(spruce only) product with a very consitant core. Perfect for raised panels because it takes paint well on the edges without absorbing it like a sponge. 3. Medite: A formayldhide free product. 4. Ultralite: Only 2/3 the weight of standard mdf.
5. MDX: Medium Density Exterior aka Medex. Made for high moisture aplications like kitchens and bathrooms. NOT to be used outside. It is NOT waterproof, only water resistant. When it was first introduced it had a pink dye added to distiguish it from MDF. This dye then dissapered after a few years making it almost impossible to tell them apart (still is inmho). I asked a disstributer why this happened and he said that they couldnt keep the dye colour consistant. People associated the colour with its water repelent properties and if they saw a sheet that was not as pink as others they would reject it as not being waterproof enough! The dye had nothing to do with MDXs properties though. Incedently the MDX has no formayldhide either and is purchased more for this reasone than its water resistance.
Good for making cheap furniture like you see on the trading spaces show
I would say that your out of the loop on that one, its not just used on low-end or cheap furniture!
Doug
Stay tuned for update and interior trim question.
Have you considered PVC trim boards? My local yard carries Koma trim ( at least i think thats the name ). It comes up to 12" wide and is 18' long and requires no painting and won't rot. I just used it on a round porch and bent it to a 84" radius without much problem.
Well Paul if were my house and it isn't . i would use cypress trim and paint it .Rip down a piece of 5/4 x 10 for the 9" pieces and 1x4 for all the rest. but then agin I see a lot of heavy duty weather here hurricanes and nor'easters and always always flash unless you live in the desert.
As for mdo and mdf don't know much about them. Need to learn I suppose.And I do have a good supplier for cedar and cypress.
just another day in paradise
G.E. Ely Construction
Ocracoke,NC