I have an old 1940 cape code style house.
My front door needs to be replaced but, from what I see, it looks like I cannot remove the whole frame since the bottom is cement.
what do you do in this case? Just change the door and maintain the current frame? Or make a mess and reframe the whole thing?
Many thanks
Replies
Nine times outta ten, if the door is done, so is the frame.
And if the bottom is cement, I'm thinking its been gone for a while.
Make a mess. Tear it out....ensure the framing is solid and square.
Ten years from now, you'll be happy you did.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Too many possibilities. If you could post a photo of the door way it might help in understanding the threshold issue.
It doesn't seem likely the door frame would be built into concrete such that you couldn't remove it but I've seen stranger.
I tell my clients when faced with redoing a major element such as the front door, minor repairs to get by will nickle and dime you to death over time. It is best to bite the bullet and completely rebuild the doorway.It will end all the issues and bring the doors weatherstripping and security issues into the 21st century.
I will post a pic.....
Replacing the whole frame is ging to be a pain the a...
I am trying hard not to....but I might not have any choice
If you can be convinced that the frame is in good condition--no rot, termites, bees nests, woodpecker holes, etc. then why replace it. You can hang a new door in the old frame and expect it to have a long life.
Weatherstripping and protection, however, is another issue. You may want to replace the whole unit to bring it up to date with today's superior methods. As I think about it further, that concrete threshold may be an attempt to fix a problem of years ago. Not being from the northeast, I'm just not sure why there would be a concrete threshold in the first place.
"Roger Staubach for President"
Edited 5/8/2007 11:14 am by doorboy
It's pretty typical in the Northeast in older houses to see the exterior sills poured around the jamb legs...and pretty typical to find rot there. Mind you the jambs were much better lumber than todays, and if in a sunny, well drained location, are worth saving.