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Make It Easy:  Making a dutch door  |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 08:57:25 AM
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I have a door between my kitchen and basement stairway that I'd like to turn into a dutch door. (It's hollow core.) I'm thinking I could just cut it into two parts, add hinge. It sounds deceptively easy, but my dad and dh seem skeptical. What do you all think? I think I'm going to just go ahead and do it this spring while I'm on break. Is it very difficult to put hinges on? Seems like that will be the trickiest part...any suggestions?
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 09:16:11 AM
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I have a door off my kitchen that leads to the basement and an outside door. I keep it closed at all times as the basement is not heated----very cold in the wintertime. Hollow core? If you cut it in half that core is going to be exposed..is there a way you could "cap" it with some trim? I always wanted a dutch door! 
"The best mirror is an old friend."
- George Herbert
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
www.longtallsallys.etsy.com |
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Shery Jespersen
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
Shery
Upton
Wyoming
USA
115 Posts |
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craftystranger
True Blue Farmgirl
525 Posts
Barbara
Franklin
NC
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 5:11:13 PM
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My grandmother had a dutch door going from her kitchen to outside. I remember it was the neatest thing. She would open the top half to let the summer breeze come in. During the cooler months we (the children) would enter the kitchen thru the bottom. I do remember that the door had a shelf like thing on top of the bottom part. Have you googled it? I'm sure the answer is on the web. Good luck,Barbara
Don't forget to laugh! |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 10:58:57 PM
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I've always wanted one of those too. I even have two perfect places for dutch doors. Wait 'til I tell Tim this one. He just loves my 'ideas.' Waaahaaaa..............
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2010 : 11:28:20 PM
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YES they are beautiful lol. Being Dutch, need I say more hehe.
Doing this with a hollow door is "easy". You can buy things here to fill up the top and bottom of a hollow door, many people make the Dutch doors from a hollow door here, so that is why those fill things are being sold. BUT if you are handy, just cut a piece of wood in the correct size, hammer it in the open parts of the door, paint and you are ready too.
Please post a pic when you are ready, would love to see it :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 05:28:02 AM
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We made our basement door a dutch door because it was the only way we could get heat from the woodstove up the stairs. Ours was also hollow. (My father and husband also said it could not be done! Hee hee...) We cut it in half and fit another piece of wood in the bottom part of the hollow door. As also have a latch on the top part of the door so we can latch it to the bottom part of the door to close as a regular one piece door if need be. It works great for us. Go for it, gal!!
Of course, ours isn't artsy or painted nice. But now that you gave me the idea.... ;)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 06:36:17 AM
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Okay, I'm going to do it! Myself. Don't tell DH or my dad (Good Lord, I'm 38 and still hiding my "projects" from dad until they are complete! Won't be until Wed or Thurs. Gotta have dh out of the house, my youngest ds at therapy and a new blade for the saw! I will definitely post pictures for ya'll. I'm so glad I found you!!
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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craftystranger
True Blue Farmgirl
525 Posts
Barbara
Franklin
NC
USA
525 Posts |
Posted - Mar 06 2010 : 08:48:06 AM
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mrsamy, keep us posted on project "hush". Would love to know how you do it. I'm older than you are and still "hide" some projects from dad and DH. I love when he has to go out of town. Then I can paint and do other projects. DH likes the end project but this sometimes just keeps the peace. We are cheering for you, Barbara
Don't forget to laugh! |
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vintagediva1
True Blue Farmgirl
1251 Posts
Michele
Brighton
Michigan
USA
1251 Posts |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 1:39:13 PM
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Okay, this is the week I work on that door. Gotta get DH out of the house and that's that. I bought new hinges and a latch (thanks for the hint, Dutchy)! Setting up the sawhorses downstairs tonight so when the cat's away the mouse can play. I have some 1x2's and shims ready to fill the in the core. I'm kinda nervous, but I'm gonna jumr right in.
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2010 : 3:33:13 PM
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LOL - I love this place! Amy, I just emailed you from another thread about lavender and stopped here to check this one. Lo and behold, you're getting ready to tackle a project I've dreamed of doing for over a year. My son has the only room in the house with carpet and doesn't want his sister's dog to come in. Because we heat with wood, he can't just keep the door closed so, we've been stepping over an old chalkboard for almost a year and a half now. I'm anxious to see how you make out. Wishing you much success!
Blessings, staci
:o )
FG#973
Never regret growing older - many people never get the privilege. - Irish proverb. |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 9:19:06 PM
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Boo. Worked on the door today. Not much success. DH is NOT happy. Thought I had it licked, but I need to tweak the hinges a bit, since they are just a bit off...
I am actually so disappointed I could cry. I REALLLLLLY wanted this to work and not be one of my "crazy ideas". If wishes were changes...
I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow when I can work on it some more.
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2010 : 05:16:54 AM
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Praying for your success today. Don't be discouraged!!
You need to try to know what is possible and what you are capable of.
You'll do it! We have faith in you...
blessings - staci FG#973
1 John 3:16 |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2010 : 07:40:58 AM
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Staci-happy tears for such prayers. One of my best friends came over with her son for a playdate yesterday. Unseasonably warm and sunny weather here. Her husband helped me out and the door is done!! Complete with a latch Dutchy! It's not pretty yet, but it is functional and I am just pleased as punch. Turns out my problem was the length of screws in the original hinges, of all things! Doing the happy project complete dance. I'll post pics later. I'm going out to play! I live MJF and these boards. Thanks for the dose of courage all!
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2010 : 11:57:05 AM
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Woo-hoo!
So happy for you. Knowing that others succeed, even when discouraged, gives me the courage to try!
Blessings, staci FG# 973
1 John 3:16
Happiness is a full clothesline... |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2010 : 12:22:31 PM
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I have a Dutch door on my milk shed. It is nice to have the breeze in the summer. Ours was a solid wood door though.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. |
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theoanne
True Blue Farmgirl
282 Posts
teddie
CARROLLTON
GA
282 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2010 : 2:44:47 PM
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Congrats on your project completion. can't wait to see pics!
TEDDIE
Sewing Forever, Housework Whenever
I have SABLE ( Stash Accumulating Beyond Life Expectancy) |
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Make It Easy: Making a dutch door |
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Making a dutch door
