how much can I trim off a door (top and bottom)

Eric and Megan Swope

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Apr 18, 2005, 8:36:59 PM4/18/05

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Hi. If I need to saw off some of my door so it fits in the opening, how
much margin of error is there to cut off? Is it 3 inches top and 3 inches
bottom, total of 6 inches? How about the sides, any extra there? Thanks
for any help.

I R Baboon

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Apr 18, 2005, 8:40:14 PM4/18/05

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depends on the door. is it solid? hollow? if its solid-cut away. if its
hollow you can cut away but will need plugs for bottom and top
"Eric and Megan Swope" <swop...@verizon.net> wrote in message
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Eric and Megan Swope

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Apr 18, 2005, 9:08:46 PM4/18/05

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It is a hollow door. I remember, I think someone telling me that there is a
solid piece 2" thick in the bottom and the top of the door, then the rest is
hollow, but I could be wrong. Thanks for the info.

"I R Baboon" <bab...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
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tb...@bellsouth.net

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Apr 19, 2005, 7:05:40 AM4/19/05

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I had a hollow core wood door cut down by local lumber yard / millwork
shop.
They cut off considerably more than the two inch solid frame.
They salvaged the frame and glued it back to complete the smaller door.
TB

Colbyt

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Apr 19, 2005, 8:13:43 AM4/19/05

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"Eric and Megan Swope" <swop...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:LoY8e.33312$hB6.18454@trnddc06...

I saw your follow-up post so I know you are dealing with a hollow core door.

Assuming it is a flat slab you can cut as much as you need to off. I find
it easier to just trim one end at the bottom. Then you have to replace the
solid strip of wood that is inside the door. You can make a new piece or
reuse the old one by removing the veneer from the block of wood, add glue
and insert it back into the door and clamp it till it dries.

I have a well painted interior hollow core door that I did this to 16 years
ago for an exterior installation in a walk in crawl space opening.

I have never trimmed more than 1/2" off the sides of a hollow core door. I
think that would be about the maximum.

Colbyt

scott...@my-deja.com

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Apr 19, 2005, 9:45:57 AM4/19/05

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Just special order a solid core door the right size.

Philip Lewis

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Apr 19, 2005, 2:37:19 PM4/19/05

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"Colbyt" <col...@stopspam.lexkyweb.com> writes:
>I find it easier to just trim one end at the bottom.

unless of course, you already have a doorknob hole cut into it. ;)

Cutting the top will leave the doorknob at a "standard" height.

--
be safe.
flip
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RicodJour

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Apr 19, 2005, 3:00:32 PM4/19/05

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Philip Lewis wrote:
> "Colbyt" <col...@stopspam.lexkyweb.com> writes:
> >I find it easier to just trim one end at the bottom.
> unless of course, you already have a doorknob hole cut into it. ;)
>
> Cutting the top will leave the doorknob at a "standard" height.

Which isn't a major problem if you have hole saws of the right size and
you epoxy a plug in place. Drill the new hole, hit the patch with a
sander and it's done...assuming you're painting it of course!

R

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JD

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Apr 20, 2005, 6:18:37 AM4/20/05

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oh, about 2 feet from the top and 3 feet from the bottom.

borgunit

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Apr 20, 2005, 9:20:38 AM4/20/05

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Drill a hole into either end and then you can either see or feel (with
a wire maybe) how far to go until it is hollow.