Replies

1. 
   ring | Jul 21, 2007 07:29am | #1

   You could make the full width panel, but I'd be inclined to split that 27" into 2 parts.  Typical stiles would then give you panels of about 10" width.  I'd say the overriding concern should be esthetics.  If you can pleasingly divide the panel then do it.

    

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jul 21, 2007 11:06am | #2

   You say you're concerned about 'racking' -- I'll assume that you mean warping and twisting.

   These things happen to a door when they happen to any of the pieces from which the door was made. In a slab door made only from a sheet of ply, the door will twist if the plywood twists -- which it can.

   In a frame and panel door, the door will twist if any of the frame pieces twist, or if the panel twists.

   Pieces of wood will warp, twist, and cup if you're not careful about the selection of wood; and if you're not careful about proper layering of veneers and/or finishes.

   Use straight-grained pieces, quartersawn if you can get them. And finish them on all sides/edges equally. That is your best insurance.

    

    

    

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

3. 
   DanMiles | Jul 21, 2007 05:20pm | #3

   I've made some raised panel doors that were pretty big and had only a single panel in their construction.  Usually, their is no problem, as long as you use a good hard wood such as oak or maple and a good wood glue.

   However, if you're concerned that the doors could possibly rack out of alignment, using larger rails and stiles or dividing the door into mutiple panels will subtantially increase door strength.  As far as how many panels or what size frame, that is entirely preferential.  I would suggest drawing out the doors to scale on paper first to try different configurations and see which one appeals to you the most.

   Also, you might keep in mind your hinges.  I have had problems before when replacing lighter made doors with better made, heavier ones.  In some cases, it is wise to install an extra hinge or two or upgrade to heavier hinges to handle the extra weight.

   --Dan

4. 
   colebearanimals | Jul 21, 2007 08:41pm | #4

   Hi mouse,

          David is on the right track. Break the panel up into sections. Probably two vertical ones. But, depending on what the surrounding cabinetry is doing you could also divide it once horizontally.

                                                       Paul