Replies

1. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 15, 2007 06:59am | #1

   2.5 "

   Jeff

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 15, 2007 08:52am | #2

    Hi John .

               The proper proportions for the stile and rails may or may not  be the average 2 1/2" that  Jeff stated , although that is close to industry standard for custom work . Is there any existing frame and panel woodwork in the house ? or was the house built in a particular style ?

          Try to find some detail or dimensions that are present to help tie in the new work you do to match the existing as well as possible.

                good  luck          dusty

           

3. 
   dull tool | Jan 15, 2007 06:24pm | #3

   2 1/2 stiles and rails flush mounted inside a 1 3/4 inch frame appears to be too bold. I suggest you build a prototype raised panel door using 1 3/4 inch stiles and rails especially since some of your doors will only be 12 1/2 inches wide.

4. 
   lokiloki1 | Jan 16, 2007 01:01am | #4

   I find that 2" to the edge detail seems to work nicely.

5. 
   Dave45 | Jan 16, 2007 02:51am | #5

   If you're planning to use european "cup" hinges, do some mockup stiles drilled for the hinge cups and with whatever edge profile you're planning to use.  It's real easy to make them too narrow and have the cup show up where you don't want it.

   No, you may NOT ask how I happen to know that!! - lol

6. 
   loucarabasi | Jan 16, 2007 04:17am | #6

   JCKMD,  Draw it to scale first then tweek it a little until you find what looks good to you. The advice you were given can be a start.

   -LMC

7. 
   Quickstep | Jan 16, 2007 05:51am | #7

   Attached is a picture of a built in I recently made. The doors are similar in size to yours. I made the frame 1-3/4" and the stiles and rails of the doors are also 1-3/4. I think it looks OK, but stiles and rails that narrow made for sort of a flimsy door. The doors also didn't stay as flat as I would have liked.  If I had it to do again, I'd make the stiles and rails of the doors 2-1/8". Since the routed part of the door is 3/8", that would still leave a visual reveal of the door frame at 1-3/4" and make a more rigid door.

    

   
1. 
   jckmd | Jan 17, 2007 02:21pm | #8

   Thanks to everyone for their input.  Jeff, I thought I remembered reading somewhere that 2.5 was fairly standard.  Oldusty, thanks for reminding me of the obvious...  I forgot that there are some painted built-ins in our dining room as well.  They are 2" on the flat portion of the rails/stiles, and 2.25" counting the inner molding.  The overall proportions of the doors are fairly different, though, so I do like the idea of building some mockups, to see what will look best.  I don't plan to use cup hinges, so that won't be a concern.  Quickstep, I like the overall look and proportions of your doors, and thanks for your critique of what you would do differently. 

   On another site, someone suggested using wider rails than stiles.  I'll try it with a mock-up, but does anyone have any advice/experience with that?

   Thanks again to everyone.

1. 
   terrylee86 | Jan 17, 2007 03:08pm | #9

   Raised panel doors are governed by personal preference when making them yourself. There are some proportion guidelines , but generally you can build what you think looks good in your home.  Most cabinet doors have both stiles and rails of the same dimension, but that has a lot to do with production uniformity. 2 1/4" is a good beginning point.  I've built cabinet doors where the bottom rail is wider than the stiles and top rail.  You will see that in antiques many times.  You don't want to make the bottom rail too much wider( typically 1/2 -3/4) than the other three frame parts.  Make a pine mock-up and your wife can tell you what she likes ( why should you be any different than the rest of us)

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 17, 2007 06:53pm | #10

   JCKMD,

                The more glue surface the stronger the joint , larger rails create more glue surface and on very tall doors the larger rails will make for a stronger frame . Many cabinet doors are made with say 3 1/2" rails top and bottom and 2 1/2" stiles for strength and for a particular look as well . It won't hurt to make the rails larger , usually it is more of an aesthetic thing .

          A 2 1/2" rail with a average slot of 1/2" really has a tongue length of 2" , a rail that is say 3" will have a tongue of 2 1/2" about 25% more glue joint and so on .

                         good   luck          dusty