How Solid Is an External Door

[joeberg]

I've been looking for a front door for a client. They want a solid hardwood colonial style door for me to paint. It seems that "Solid" doesn't actually mean one type of wood and in fact most seem to be veneered. As the door will have to be trimmed by half an inch I am worried that there wont be enough veneer to stand that much trimming. And why do the door merchants advertise Dowelling "for extra strength to avoid twisting and warping" when I always assumed Mortice and tennon was preferable ?

Cheers Joe

 

[Alarm]

For max strength, a solid core door with beading on it. Or even a steel sheet and beading cut to what ever designs you want.

 

[joe-90]

Tell them to source it - they've probably got something in mind.

 

[^woody^]

It seems that "Solid" doesn't actually mean one type of wood and in fact most seem to be veneered.

You must be looking at the cheap doors then.

There are lots of solid wood doors available

Again, dowelled joints are common on the cheaper doors, but in practice, it makes little difference

 

[joeberg]

I didn't put any price limit on it just the style which appears to be known as colonial. Interesting that dowelled joints make little difference. Thanks