How to Build an Entry Door
An entry door is a house’s first thing you see when you go in. When you need to replace yours due to weather or damage you should think about it long and hard. Doing this yourself will be difficult but can save you a lot of money over purchasing one at your local home supply or home accessory store.
Items you will need:
- Circular saw
- Staple gun and ¾ inch staples
- Clamps
- Rotary tool
- Measuring tape
- Urethane wood glue
- Door hardware
- 2x8” lumber 80” long – 2 pieces
- 2x6” lumber 23” long – 2 pieces
- 2x8” lumber 23” long – 1 piece
- ½” wood paneling 21x30” – 2 pieces
- 3/8x3/8” wood strips
- Use the rotary tool to carve out three channels in the 80-inch 2x8’s on one side of the 2” side of each board. Keep them centered. You are making tongue and groove connections. Carve the first channel one inch from the end of the 2x8 making it ¾” wide by 6 inches long and 1 ¼” deep. Second channel will also be one inch from the other end with the same dimensions but it will be 4 1/2 “ in depth. Put the third channel in the center of those two with the same measurements as the second channel.
- Take the rotary tool again and shape the 23” boards ends so they can fit very snug into the channels you just made. Your one 2x8” will be placed into the 6 inch long channel and the two 2x6” boards will go into the other two channels. The single 2x8” will be the doors bottom.
- Connect the pieces together and be certain it all fits properly. Make adjustments as needed. You will end up with your rectangular door with two small rectangles in the middle of the door.
- Place glue in the channels and glue the ends of the boards as well. Place the frame in the clamps and let dry for at least 4 to 6 hours.
- Remove the clamps and measure the two smaller rectangles for placement of the wood paneling.
- Place the paneling in the center of the frame and using a pencil draw a line completely around the paneling. Cut your 3/8x3/8” strips to fit around that line. Glue each one and place them in the rectangle. Staple them down.
- Put glue around the inside of the strips and push the paneling against the strips. Place another set of strips against the paneling from the other side, glue and staple them now. Do this process for both rectangles of paneling.
- Drill out holes required to install the hardware according to the installation information that comes with the hardware.
- If you are going to paint or stain the door, you may want to do that prior to installing the hardware.