Replies

1. 
   JPGrout | Aug 22, 2002 04:18am | #1

   Well Mark I think it would be fine for the exterior door as long as it is well protected from the elements either by finish or by protecting with overhangs or location. North and east exposures seem to hold up the best. I did a hickory unit about 3 years ago and it is holding up fine although it will need a new finish soon because of the exposure to the west.

   Gosh we have been building knotty alder doors here for about 4 years now and they are holding up just fine. I suppose that where you live in this fine country would make a lot of difference. Here on the west side of the rockies we get ####lot of snow fall (usually) and wet springs but the rest of the year is relatively dry. I guess that is why we get away with what we do. Joe

1. 
   woodshaver | Aug 22, 2002 06:32am | #2

   Thanks,Joe.  I feel better knowing you had good results, with you r hickory door.

   thanks much   mark .

1. 
   StanleyNiemiec | Aug 22, 2002 08:22am | #3

   I would be somewhat reluctant to make an exterior door from hickory largely because it has high radial and tangential shrinkage.  A lot of the hickory I see has a tendency to wind/twist.  It would help to know what part of the country you're in because then I could give you a estimate of what the seasonal equilibrium MC would be.  You will probably need to equilbrate the wood to those conditions before you built it.

   Style is also a big consideration; you might be ok with a six panel door but anything of just planks will probably be a nightmare.

   If the door is exposed to direct sunlight a clear coating will probably fail after several years unless UV inhibitors are within the formulation.