Dress up your home with an interior door remodel
W
ith minimum remodeling s a v v y a nd a mo de s t budget, it’s possible to change some items in the home to be more in tune with personal style.
Hollow core doors are t y pica lly more affordable than solid wood doors. If cost is a factor, select a m on g t he v a r iou s s t y le s i n hollow designs.
A lt hou g h m a ny home ow ner s gravitate toward new paint colors or furnishings to revamp the look of different rooms in the home, replacing tired-looking doors is another affordable option.
Sw itching out a door ca n be a challenging endeavor and is often easiest as a two-person job. Some people simply use the old door as a template for the new door. Remember, not all doors are the same size (width and height) as the existing door opening. Therefore, some cutting and fitting will be necessary.
The switching out of doors can be a high-impact project for little cost. Think about the room in the house where the door(s) add little appeal. Perhaps a bathroom door has been marred with holes from a former towel rack. A bedroom with simple, f lat doors may lack pa nache. Some doors have been warped by moisture or have been damaged. These eyesores can be replaced. A trip to the hardware or home improvement store ca n y ield a number of options in new doors.
Here are some steps to follow. 1. Measure the width and height of the old door. Many doors are a standard width of 13/8 inches, t houg h older door s may be different in width. 2. D oor s a re sold a s pre-hu ng do or s or do or bl a n k s . P r e hung ones are surrounded by a
TOP FURNITURE & APPLIANCES FLEXSTEEL GALLERY, LAZYBOY COMFORT STUDIO, ENGLAND & ASHLEY...
IT’S WORTH THE TRIP!
jamb. When using these doors, mea su re accord i ng ly t a k i ng the jamb under consideration. Blanks are simply the door with no holes for hinges or locksets already included. 3. R emove the old door by taking out the hinge pins, starting from the bottom and working up. You may need a screwdriver and a ha mmer to tap out stubborn pins. Keep the pins in a safe spot. 4. L ay t he old door on top of t he new door a nd t race t he dimensions for cutting. Be sure to line up the lockset edge so things will line up. There should be 1/8 inch clea ra nce on t he sides of the door and 5/8 inch clearance on the bottom. 5. U se a circular saw to cut the door accurately. If only a little needs to be removed from the door, consider using a ha nd pla ne instead. If you need to remove more than 1 inch, take half off the bottom and top of the door so it will be even. 6. P lace the old door back on top of the new. Mark the location of the hinge mortices (the recessed area and holes where the hinges will fit) with a utility knife and straight edge. 7. L ig ht ly ch isel out t he h i nge mortices so t hat t hey are t he r ig ht t h ick ness to house t he hinge hardware. Test the hinge in the mortice. 8. Test t he door’s f it w it h in t he opening to ensure all cuts are accurate. Pla ne a reas if t here is any thing that is off or if the door rubs.
With exciting displays, a huge selection of new fashions beautifully accessorized for your home and home decorating services, we are the destination for your home furnishing needs. We also have the newest styles in home appliances and the hottest state-of-the-art home entertainment department.
DELIVERY AVAILABLE WITHIN 100 MILE RADIUS OF OUR STORE!
Come see our showroom for the best selection of the latest styles in furniture, appliances and electronics in the North Country. OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
www.topfurniture.com
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR CURRENT SPECIALS! ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
9. Mark and drill the space for the lockset and doorknob. Test the fit.
Suapvtoe $
Hanging a new door can add significant aesthetic appeal with minimal investment. A trip to the hardware or home improvement store can yield a number of options in new doors. 10. A t t a c h t he ne w do or a nd interlace the hinges. Have a helper put in the hinge pins.
12. E njoy the new door knowing that you completed this project with minimal investment.
11. P ut in the knob and be sure the entire set up works correctly.
600
50% OFF
Select Flo
on any American made stove, insert or fireplace.
or M
Hurry in a odels nd SAVE!
Save American Jobs Save American Manufacturing
Since 1950
1-800-287-5212 www.topfurniture.com Route 16, between Berlin and Gorham, NH STORE HOURS: Open Daily 9am-6pm • Saturday 9am-5pm • Sunday 11am-4pm
16 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT
207-539-9930 712 Main St. (Rt. 26), Oxford Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Sunday, September 11, 2011