I have a house from 1860 and the hardwood doors are pretty beat up! They need new handles, the paint is all caked on the hinges, and I've been told they're warped. I can't afford brand new hardwood doors, so I'm considering hollow doors instead. They look nice on the outside, but I know they aren't as durable. I'm stuck wondering whether I should go through the hassle of sanding them down and repainting the old doors or just replace them with hollow ones. What do you recommend?
4 Answers
Restoring the hardwood doors seems like the best route. They're a key part of your home’s character and can be fixed up over time. You could make the process easier by using paint strippers instead of sanding, which often damages the wood. Plus, explore local Habitat ReStores for affordable replacement options if any doors are beyond saving!
I get it, it's a lot of work to sand and paint those old doors. But hollow doors won’t give your historic home the same charm. Maybe buy one cheaper hollow door to use while you restore the old ones one by one? That way you can take your time with the restoration process and still have something functional in the meantime!
Keeping the hardwood doors is a must! They're likely more valuable and durable than hollow doors. If you're handy, you could restore them one at a time and really bring them back to life. Just make sure they're actually hardwood and not just veneer before diving into the work!
True, but if they're warped, how much restoration can really help?
I'd suggest focusing on restoring your existing doors. Hollow doors might actually cheapen the overall look of your beautiful old home. If you do decide to restore, maybe look into using a heat gun to remove paint instead of traditional sanding. It could save you time and help preserve the details of your doors!
That’s good advice! I've seen heat guns work wonders without damaging the wood.
I've had good luck at those stores! You can find solid doors for much less.