Making a screen door: 3/4″ BCX or Advantech?
I can give the full story if necessary; but the point is that I’m wanting to build my own screen door for the screened-in deck I’ve been building onto the back of my house. The doors I’ve seen all have fair to poor reviews for sagging over time, regardless of wood or vinyl. Seems like a big contributor of this is that they are all essentially “picture framed” with screen in the middle: with varying levels of extra bracing/etc. Lots of individual pieces of wood with joints secured with dowels, glue, screws, nails, etc. So here’s my thought:
Get two 4×8′ pieces of 3/4″ sheet material and cut the door shape out of those with a 3″ or so wide “frame” and maybe one 3″ horizontal piece in the middle. For the openings, cut the perimeter 3/4″ larger in one piece. Glue and screw the two door halves together. Staple the screen to the smaller opening, then cover edge with 3/4″ quarter round or cove to hide the staples and make the openings the same size.
Possibly undersize the door by 1.5″ and then glue and nail/screw 1×2 hardwood around the perimeter for more rigidity / twist resistance?
Seems like this would eliminate all of the joints; and thereby make the door less likely to sag over time. Everything would be finished with high quality exterior primer and paint. At 1.5″ thick, might need heavier “real door” hinges over the little ones typically used on screen doors. Though it will still be mostly screen.
Does what I’m thinking makes sense at all? The door will be protected above by a 29″ roof overhang. Thinking of using either 3/4″ BCX or Advantech sheeting since either one is more moisture resistant than other sheet goods. The Advantech is pricier; but possibly more stable and won’t delaminate? I appreciate your thoughts!
Replies
Joints are not a problem if you glue them effectively.
Duly noted; but if you were to entertain the above scenario, would you think 3/4" BCX or Advantech as the better choice in this application?
I make outdoor gate using 3/4" PT ply for the center core since they never sag. However, I don't think either of your choices will work as they will tend to twist over time. I'd think a 15 ply Baltic Birch plywood would work better but I still wouldn't be surprised if it twisted.