If i were to cut a pine internal door in half how much would the door be weakened?

Question

I want to cut an internal door in half to create 2 smaller double doors. If i hung them from the good sides would it still have sufficient strength to support itself? What are my alternatives as i already have the door and is there any way to help strengthen it such as a treatment or something?

Answer 1

it seems i need my bumps felt as i have done this with a solid pine door and it was fine

Answer 2

The practicality of cutting the existing door in half would depend on the door construction for a successful job, a flush door would require lipping on the two cut edges and these edges would have to be the meeting edges because of fixing hinges. If the door is panelled type with solid timbers then the cut down the grain could be laborious. To use two half doors like this would mean you have to open both halves to pass through! and the opening size would be reduced. The possible alternatives are 1. Remove the door and frame completely to make it "open plan", or 2. use existing door to make it slide either on the outside or inside face of the wall if you have room for the door to slide, you could then remove the existing frame to make more clear opening. 3. Use a patent folding type door ie. concertina or similar but remember that these have to stack back on one side of the opening. All of the alternatives are more draughty than a fitted door but if you have central heating it could be balanced to compensate. Good luck Brian M

Answer 3

I would think you would be alright. If it was weakened in any way, you could always add a strip of 1x to reinforce the joints. Make sure you use a table saw, or build a jig to guide your circular saw, and use a finish blade to prevent splintering. And to all of the responses asking whether it is a solid wood door, read the question again because it says it's made of pine.

Answer 4

It largely depends on the construction ofr the door as answer one says. Is it a hollow core? or solid core door?

Hollow core add appropriate thickness lumber IE: 2 x 4's where the cut has been made; and finish the door. You'll have to get two more like door hinges to support each section; and they should be installed just as the original ones are.

Double doors??? Meaning two doors approx 36 inches high? OR a double door as is such an old style, with the top half usually open, and perhaps even fitted with a shelf for a pass through structure.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

Doors are made in many ways, so we can't answer your question correctly. I'm not even able to tell you that it's solid wood. Discount stores sell doors that are veneer over particle board. If the door is older, it's probably of a better quality. Wood was less expensive, so there was no reason to cut back on the size of the rails and stiles.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

It depends on what kind of door it is, ie what the construction is. If it's a panelled door with a central rail that goes top to bottom then there should be no problem with you cutting in half. If it's a ledged and braced type door (similar to ones used on sheds, gates etc)then you will need to redo the bracing to prevent it from "dropping" over time.

Answer 8

The answer to your question is no you cant. The door was made to give its strength as a whole if you cut it in half the integrity as well as the cosmetic look of the door will be greatly reduced regardless of how it is constructed. The only exception to this is a fire door blank. As this is a solid 32mm thick sheet of plywood. If anyone tells you any different I'm sorry but they want their bumps felt.

Answer 9

if its a solid door no problem if is hollow you could end up with a hollow edge once the two solid sides are hinged, easily filled with some pine milled to fit, glued and pinned