We don’t usually think of doors as part of the operating equipment in th home, but they really are. If they don’t work well they are a constant irritant.
Exterior doors are 1 ¾ “ thick. Interior doors are 1 3/8” thick. Because they are heavier, exterior doors should be hung with three hinges rather than two.
Interior doors are usually made of wood. Exterior doors are, too. But many exterior doors are also made of tempered glass or factory-finished steel. You can also find them made of urethane.
Flush doors have a smooth slab surface. Recessed-panel doors have flat recessed panels. Raised-panel doors have recessed panels with slightly raised centers. Louvered doors are made with overlapping horizontal slats.
These differences affect the way you take care of doors. The most important difference in the way doors are installed and operate. The most familiar kind of door is a hinged door because it is the most generally useful. In the house it is almost always hung with butt hinges.
However, other types of doors may fill your needs. When choosing a door, make sure to take into account how often it will be opened, what is in front of and behind the door, and the amount of space allowed for opening. Small spaces may do better with pocket doors or sliding doors. When shutting out drafts to the outdoors, a secure hinge door is almost always best.
If you door is not working well, check first to see if the hinge is securely tightened to the wall. A simple drill or screwdriver may fix the problem. Next, try changing the knob, a fairly simple operation that can be performed with a prefab kit from your local hardware store.
Be careful when considering a cut away, or actually sanding down your door. Many interior doors are hollow. Also, a crooked door can be a tell-tale sign for other problems, like a shifting foundation or crooked wall.
