Door Lust
Today I drove to Wichita and, of course, stopped by Old Town Architectural Salvage. My goal was to find a beveled glass exterior door for the Carriage House.
My heart stopped when I came across this knock-out. Oh, my lust was great. It seemed perfect for the 1894 structure. The architect, Charles Squires, adored ovals. However…the structure was wholly rebuilt circa-1921 with a Mission-style interior. Would the door REALLY work?
You can understand my lust. And the glass is beveled.
A second point of pause was the severe damage to the lower part of the door. Water had caused it to expand and pull apart although I could not find any rot. I sent images to Dr. Doug. Could he take the door apart and fix it?
A third point of concern was the price. $625. Waaaaay too much, considering the condition.
It turns out though that Doug may have a door in storage, matching the current door, but with beveled glass (the current door has Plexiglass).
So…will my lust be satisfied? Or thwarted?
Stay tuned…
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Why not have a bevelled glass pane made for the current door? You could have ot done in laminated for safety too. Indistinguishable from antique bevelled, and would save the tike and cost of a door install
A new 24×60 beveled glass panel will likely cost more money than buying an old door with a beveled glass panel.
It would certainly be cheaper than that salvage door. Input two 36×10 bevelled laminated panels in mt front door and it wasn”t too bad from memory. Maybe worth a call to the glass place to find out at least?
Mike, I followed your advice and got a quote: $263.21! I was assuming all this time more like $1,000! Thank you!
As they say here in the northeast “awesome sauce!”
That is a perfectly lovely door and I am sure could be restored.
But.
Even if it is period it isn’t the correct style. You need Mission and that door looks more Art Nouveau or even Art Deco. I know the beveled glass is tempting but it just isn’t the correct door.
I think you should be lusting after Dr. Doug’s door, sight unseen. I’ll be the price is much more attractive.
Have you priced just putting beveled replacement glass in the current door? It is possible to have glass cut and beveled for a fraction of what a door would cost. You can even specify the thickness of the glass and the width of the bevel. Then you can compare the cost with what Dr Doug’s door will cost, plus having to swap them out, etc.
Mary, the exterior of the Carriage House is a mix of Queen Anne and Mission. But, once the new porch is in place, and two the dormers removed, it will read much more of the former. I’m confident the door would look fabulous.
I know you are lusting for that door. I’d hate you to buy it, install it and then find it just didn’t work.
Replacement glass less than half of that door.
Why don’t you have a look at Dr Doug’s door? It might be even less than replacing the glass in the current door.
Doug has to first find his door, then measure it, let me know what side the doorknob is on, and that it does have a beveled glass panel.
You know, if you’d tell me you’re coming to town, I’d take you to lunch.
Why didn’t you tell me, David!