Doors Doors Doors

It seems that lately everything we do is door related. Last weekend we removed the ugly aluminum storm door that was on the back door. The aluminum door is off to the scrap yard.In it's place we will install a wood storm door I purchased last year from a ReHabitiat store in Battle Creek. But first there are several things that need to happen.

First, I need to strip the white paint off the wood storm door.....oh...oh....under the white paint is red paint. Both the white paint and red are proving difficult to remove. Also it seems the other side is white paint over navy paint over red paint and it is coming off just as slowly.I also need to epoxy the hinge mortises and door handle holes because this door is hinged on the wrong side. Once the holes are filled and the paint removed, I can sand and prime the door.

Second, I need to strip the trim and door jamb. This took several hours because the wind kicked up and was blowing all the heat away from my heat gun. I've completed the paint removal and just need to fill some holes with epoxy and then sand the entire door jamb and frame.The door looks much improved without that ugly aluminum storm. This particular door is a Dutch door. You might also be able to see the outlines of the large decorative metal straps that need to go back on the door. I might put those back on just so I don't lose a screw. I can always remove them again when I stain the door.

Upon closer inspection we realized that the threshold needs to be replaced before the storm door can be installed. R will need to do this before he can rebuild the step. But first it is back to paint removal.

Scored a Wood Storm Door

I emailed a seller on Craigs List about some wood windows and after several emails I found out that they also had several older doors and some wood storm windows. I made arrangements to look at the doors and windows on Saturday.

So today I drove to Davison Michigan to look at the doors and windows. Most of the windows were casement windows that were in great shape but unfortunately I was on the look out for double hung sashes. He had several but they were not the correct size.

I asked about storm windows and he pointed to a handful. All were too narrow but one caught my eye. I whipped out my tape measure and quickly measured. Just my size!!!!

I then realized I hadn't asked about the doors yet. He showed me an exterior door that wasn't my style and 2 older pocket doors but I didn't need those either. There were several doors left and I noticed that one was a wood storm door. I needed a 32 inch wide door for my kitchen door. So I whipped out my tape measure again.

Holy cow today was my lucky day. Not only was the door 32 inches wide but it was hinged on the correct side AND still had the original door handle and lock.

Total cost for storm door and storm window 25 bucks.I was able to fully strip one side and partially strip the other side.
The glass insert will need to be stripped, disassembled, and glued back together but all the parts and glass are there.

Another Vintage Wood Storm Door

I completely forgot to mention the vintage wood storm door I purchased this summer at the Restore in Battle Creek, Michigan.

My sister and I attended a canning class in Battle Creek and passed the Restore on our way to the class. Afterward we stopped to check things out.

Sorry about the completely out of focus photo.
I couldn't believe it. They not only had 1 wood storm door but they had 5 of them. On top of that they were all 10 bucks a piece. I was shocked. I wanted them all but we were in my sister's Vibe and there just wasn't room.

Three days later my husband and I drove back to Battle Creek with a truck. As my luck would have it, there was only one left. This will fit my kitchen door but I really could use 3 more of the 32" wide size.

As my husband and I drove away with the lone door he said, "why didn't you just pay for them on Saturday and tell them to hold the doors until we could pick them up?"

Duh.....