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I wasn’t sure who to ask this question, so I posted it here and in “Knots” both.
I have an 115 year old home that we are trying to keep as original as possible, but we have added a small addition. In the addition I am making all of the interior trim to match the original. The problem I have is the doors. The original trim and doors are all fir. I have found only one millwork company that makes 4 panel fir doors, but they want almost $600 each for the doors. Short of making them myself (That idea crossed my mind, briefly), is there another species of wood that comes close in graining and appearance, that I might try looking into. The doors will have a clear finish, NOT painted, hence the problem. I am not cheap, but $2,500 for four doors seems a bit excessive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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No sweat finding fir doors here in Western Washington. In fact, "West Coast Doors", in Tacoma, WA, has an outlet where they sell "B-grade" and factory seconds at real reasonable prices. Maybe I'm just lucky to work in this area, but my guess is that you could find a similar manufacturer in most medium or larger cities.
*Steven- Simpson Door Company has some excellent quality fir doors....pricing depends on where you purchase them and if they happen to inventory any which is unlikely. Sizes range from 1/0-3/6 X 6/8 and I believe are sold 'door only'(no jambs or back bore). The last fir 4-panels I bought were all 3/0's and ran just over $200 ea.(door only) with a price break for ordering 5 or more per size otherwise add about $70-$80 per door. My salesman says he sells a bunch of Simpson doors and hasn't had any problems - they've been good to me. http://www.simpsondoors.com authorized dealers 1-800-952-4057 Hope this helps... ....any other questions feel free to e-mail me. WOOD TICK
*Had a similar problem myself. I live in a 200 year old farm house with 4 flat panel pine doors with simple chamfers on the stiles and rails. 6 or 7 hundred bucks per door and 4 month lead time to special order them.So, I'm making them myself. It's not that bad. I root thou the 1x whatever #2 pine stock at the local lumber yard for pieces with a fair amount of clear stock and laminate 2 together, and plane down to 1 3/8 thickness.So far, it's about $90 or $100 per door and exactly what I want.Jim
*I have to agree with the previous posters. I have found 4 panel fir interior door slabs to be readily available in standard sizes (even 2-0's). $600 is just totally absurd. You could have them shipped from anywhere in the country and still be way ahead. Sounds like the leads are already rolling in. Bet your glad you posted.I've seen solid oak 8's for less than that.Good Building,Jim Malone
*Steven,Well you got to this website no problem. I'd imagine that there are retailers all over the country that sell the doors your looking for. Track down an outlet over the web and have them shipped. You should still beat the heck out of $600 a door.
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I wasn't sure who to ask this question, so I posted it here and in "Knots" both.
I have an 115 year old home that we are trying to keep as original as possible, but we have added a small addition. In the addition I am making all of the interior trim to match the original. The problem I have is the doors. The original trim and doors are all fir. I have found only one millwork company that makes 4 panel fir doors, but they want almost $600 each for the doors. Short of making them myself (That idea crossed my mind, briefly), is there another species of wood that comes close in graining and appearance, that I might try looking into. The doors will have a clear finish, NOT painted, hence the problem. I am not cheap, but $2,500 for four doors seems a bit excessive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.