Replies

1. 
   digger007 | Feb 08, 2011 07:07pm | #1

   Oh by the way, looking for the best species of wood to use.  Thanks.

1. 
   noviceneil | Mar 21, 2011 05:53pm | #5

   FWIW,Norm has a New Yankee workshop episode on building an external door. I think he used Mahogany but obviouly you can change that...the video is for sale and takes you through all the steps and comes with a set of plans. Would seem to be woth it. I plan to make an external door out of cypress and have watched this video (plan to watch it again when I actually start the project)

   Neil

2. 
   Michael6255 | Feb 11, 2011 11:59am | #2

   exterior door

   About 30 years ago Fine Homebuilding,  I think had an article about building just the door that you need.  I built it per plan.  Its heavy because its made of all 3/4 stock, but you could resaw 5/4 and use a thinner skin to reduce material and weight.  Basically you get a big flat table and lay down 1X2 around the perimeter with some internal bracing. Then you fill the voids with polyisocyanurate foam....then you skin both sides with T&G or ship-lapped vertically oriented boards and paint it.  Mine hasn't racked in 30 years.  Its heavy.

   I'd research the article online.

   Mike

3. 
   acornw | Feb 11, 2011 02:27pm | #3

   Frame and Panel

   I would suggest frame and panel and a lot of experience in it to get a good final product.   Passage doors are much more difficult than any cabinet doors, and they have to work, all the time, every time.

   Rift W Oak is excellent for an exterior door. Fir if you are near a good source. Honduras Mahogany is the best, after Teak.  White Pine or Cypress are good.  Cherry, Red Oak, Ash and Elm are not very good. Poplar is the worst, unless it is olgd growth, dense ring count.

   Dave S

   http://www.acornwoodworks.com

4. 
   jeanlou | Feb 16, 2011 08:58pm | #4

   Painted exterior door

   Digger 007 I guess one of your concerns is not having to repaint the door every year or two. In the USA the trend is to use water borne finishes. Many are excellent and they are getting better, but there is a better way, if you are not against using oil based finishes. On raw wood, apply a generous coating of boiled linseed oil and wipe off the excess. Be sure to get all the edges and cavities of the door, if there are any. When the door is dry, scuff sand and do the above again. If you are very anal you can do a

   third application, however two is not bad. You then paint with an oil based paint,

   applying a thin coat on the first application. When dry scuff sand and do it again. The linseed oil bonds to the interior of the wood pores and the oil based paint bonds to the linseed oil. The result is a paint finish that lasts for years. To balance the door you should apply an equal amount of clear finish on the inside face. Enjoy your project. JL