
Can hollow core doors be shaved off at the top?
I’ve just bought a home built in 1956, and the hollow core interior doors are swollen and cannot be closed. Can hollow core doors be shaved off at the top like solid wood doors? -Janie Hollow core doors typically have about one inch of solid wood at the top and bottom, so you should be able to trim a bit off to make them close properly.
How do you cut a Janie hollow core door?
-Janie Hollow core doors typically have about one inch of solid wood at the top and bottom, so you should be able to trim a bit off to make them close properly. Your options are to use a hand plane, power plane, or belt sander to remove a small amount of stock, and a circular or hand saw when taking off an 1/8” or more.
Can You stain a hollow core door?
Give a cheap hollow core door the look of luxury with stain. While hollow core doors are often great budget-savers when compared to solid wood panel doors, there's no reason they can't be attractive. A nice wood stain that matches the wood work and compliments the color scheme in the room can make even a $30 door look expensive.
How much can you trim a hollow core door?
How Much Can You Trim off a Hollow Core Door? Removing an inch or so from a hollow core door to allow for a thicker carpet, misread tape measure or wonky doorframe will be fine. However, cut off too much – roughly over 2 inches – and you may notice that the edge of the door is no longer solid.

How much can you sand off a hollow core door?
How Much Can You Trim off a Hollow Core Door? Removing an inch or so from a hollow core door to allow for a thicker carpet, misread tape measure or wonky doorframe will be fine. However, cut off too much – roughly over 2 inches – and you may notice that the edge of the door is no longer solid.
Can you refinish hollow core doors?
Fortunately, hollow core interior doors are easy to refinish, but the process isn't identical to refinishing solid panel doors. That thin, outer layer of wood is too delicate for the chemical strippers and finishes used on solid wood panels.
How do I remove paint from a hollow core door?
0:386:18How to Strip a Door (or any other surface) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just want to get it on pretty thick on the paint. So this door is that for about 15 minutes withMoreYou just want to get it on pretty thick on the paint. So this door is that for about 15 minutes with the paint stripper on it. And now I'm going to go ahead and take a stripper.
Can you shave hollow doors?
0:001:28The Secret to Trimming Down a Hollow-Core Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf any of your home improvement projects require you to cut an interior door you need to listen toMoreIf any of your home improvement projects require you to cut an interior door you need to listen to Joe on this one well in this case Danny we're cutting an interior closet door which is a hollow core
How can I make my hollow doors look better?
1:463:00How to Update a Flat Panel Hollow Core Door | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i put some caulk around the trim. So it's nice and tight. So we're ready to start painting. AndMoreAnd i put some caulk around the trim. So it's nice and tight. So we're ready to start painting. And what did you pick for a paint i used a i picked a satin finish. Because over the years it's going to
Can you sand an interior door?
Sand the door. Sanding your door well, before priming and painting, is the right way to do it. Sanding will create a smooth surface that will help your paint to look great. When sanding, do a first pass with 100-150 grit sandpaper then finish with a second pass of 180-220 grit sandpaper.
What's inside a hollow core door?
Hollow core doors are constructed with a thin layer of wood or fiberboard applied over a core of honeycombed cardboard or plastic. Hollow core doors are cost-saving products often used for the many interior passage doors found in a house.
What can I do with hollow core doors?
With a hollow-core door, you can create a pair of simple but effective shelves for any room in your home. Cut the door in half and remove some of the cardboard core to fit a cleat inside each end for wall mounting. Then simply attach the cleat to your wall's studs and fit the shelf over the cleat.
What is the easiest way to remove paint from a door?
You also can use a putty knife and wire brush for hard-to-reach spots. Always guide the scraper at an angle. If some chemical remains in spots, dip a steel wool pad into mineral spirits or paint thinner to scrape off the remaining stripper. Finally, wipe the surface with a soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits.
Can you stain hollow wood doors?
Use rubber or latex gloves when applying the stain to avoid staining your hands. Give a cheap hollow core door the look of luxury with stain. While hollow core doors are often great budget-savers when compared to solid wood panel doors, there's no reason they can't be attractive.
Can you sand paint off wood?
Sandpaper and power sanders provide another quick way to remove old paint from wood. It's an efficient method for flat surfaces but must be done carefully to avoid wood damage. Always sand with the grain of the wood.
How thick is wood on bottom of hollow door?
Hollow core doors typically have about one inch of solid wood at the top and bottom, so you should be able to trim a bit off to make them close properly.
How thick is the frame on a hollow core door?
1 3/8"1A. * Stile and rail frame dimensions may vary due to specifications. Maximum Size: 4' 0" X 8' 0" Thickness: 1 3/8" or 1 3/4" Stiles and Rails*: 1 1/8" minimum; Fingerjoint; Fiber. (Fiber not avail on 1-3/4" doors.)
How much can you shave off a door?
Most internal doors manufacturers advise different trimming tolerances so as a standard and to be on the safe side we advise that you don't trim more than 5mm per side. This is with the exception of LPD, which only allow 3mm on each side.
Can you sand and stain hollow core doors?
I like to sand down the door with a medium sandpaper to rough up the surface. Don't skimp on the sanding—the paint won't stick to the door as well if you don't really rough up the glossy surface enough. Then, do a coat or two of a stain-blocking primer to keep the wood stains from bleeding through.
Can you make a hollow door solid?
This option is not frequently discussed, but you can turn a hollow core door into solid by filling it with insulation foam. Make small holes on the edges of the door. Start from a low point on the door and let the foam expand and solidify. Keep progressing to the top of the door, spraying foam every 12 inches.
Can you paint interior doors without sanding?
Even if your door is not too dirty, give it a cleaning with soap and water, and then rinse with clean water to remove any soap residue. If you are going to be painting over an oil-based paint with latex, you must first sand* it lightly and prime it with a good gripping primer.
How do you sand an old interior door?
Sand with non-clogging 180- or 220-grit sandpaper or sanding sponges (look for 'non-clogging' or 'stearated' on the label). Sand just enough to make the surface feel smooth. After sanding, vacuum and wipe down the door with a damp cloth to remove all the dust.
Can you sand door with orbital sander?
Your best bet is probably an orbital sander. You could hand sand your cabinet, but it will take a lot of elbow grease. You may even want to use both. An orbital sander can make quick work of the bulk of the cabinet door, but a sanding block or sanding sponge can help you cover any grooves or tight spots by hand.
How do you sand a door without taking it off?
If you need to plane the bottom of a door because it scrapes the threshold or the floor, you can do so without removing the door. Place sandpaper on the threshold or floor, then move the door back and forth over this abrasive surface.
How do you refinish an interior wood door?
0:222:39How to Refinish a Door Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI took a foam sanding block and sandpaper. And did all of the internal edges around the raisedMoreI took a foam sanding block and sandpaper. And did all of the internal edges around the raised panels to again remove all of the stain. And polyurethane that was originally on the door. Once.
Can you stain a composite interior door?
If you want to stain a composite door you need to ensure that is has a woodgrain finish to help hold the stain in place. First, begin by using a hand broom to remove any dirt from your door unit. Then thoroughly wash all surfaces with liquid sugar soap. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.
Can you stain a door without taking it down?
Yes, you can stain a door while it's hanging. But you have to be sure to use the right products. You also have to keep checking for drips that can happen when you use thick finishes on a door that is still hanging.
How do you refinish a Luan door?
Paint the door with a light coat of primer with a paintbrush. Follow the direction of the wood grain, and use smooth, straight strokes. Cover all areas that require painting. Allow the primer to dry and apply a second coat.
What is a Hollow Core Door?
Wooden doors come in three types: solid wood, solid core and hollow core. As you would expect, solid wood doors are made from thick slabs of wood....
Why Might You Need to Trim Your Hollow Core Door?
There are a number of reasons you might want to trim a door. You might have an awkward door frame in a non-standard size that makes purchasing a ne...
Can Hollow Core Doors Be Trimmed?
The short answer is yes, hollow core doors can be trimmed. Hollow core doors have a strong block outer frame, which leaves a couple of inches of so...
How Much Can You Trim off a Hollow Core Door?
Removing an inch or so from a hollow core door to allow for a thicker carpet, misread tape measure or wonky doorframe will be fine. However, cut of...
How to remove a stain from a veneer door?
In those cases, hand sanding or extremely careful orbital pad sanding can remove the surface stain and gloss coat, then it can be restained and clear-coated from there - assuming you want pretty much the same or darker color stain. For a lighter finish, I don't bother to try doing a refinish job - just belt sand the surface layer to mostly exposed wood, then contact cement a wood (or laminate if desired) veneer layer over the surface and finish that as desired. Depending on door mounting and veneer thickness, you may or may not need to adjust the hinge or stop strip setting to accomodate for the added veneer thickness.
Can hollow core doors be used as shelving?
BTW - if you do go with new doors, old hollow core doors make terrific garage or dry shed shelving - built 2x4 outer framing including 2x4 on edge cross-pieces at each end and at middle of door, a 2x2 along each edge screwed or dadoed (my preference) in to the end and middle supports to reduce sag, and lay the doors on those frames. Goes together very fast, very cheap with just a few 2x4's and 2x2's and some grabbers. Panel doors work too, but not as smooth for sliding stuff on and off.
Is it cheaper to replace a hollow core door?
Of course, this relates to DIY work - generally, if paying to have it done, unless a straight gel stain or paint overcoat will do it for you, it is generally cheaper to have a hollow-core door replaced with a new one finished as you want than to refinish an existing one.
How to stain a door with gel stain?
Use a stain brush for liquid stain and a soft cotton cloth for gel stain. Avoid overlapping vertical strokes--try to blend any "starting" and "stopping" points if you have to use two "passes" to stain the entire length of the door. Wipe away excess stain with a clean cloth.
How to make a door with a saw horse?
Step 1. Set up two sturdy sawhorses in a well-ventilated area and lay the door across them. If you're working indoors, lay plastic tarps under your work area to catch stain splatters and spills. Plan to have this project set up for at least two to four days.
How to make a cheap door look more expensive?
Make a cheap door look more expensive by upgrading the doorknob hardware. Or, make an inexpensive, plain door look like a costly panel door by adding faux panels made from molding trim. Use rubber or latex gloves when applying the stain to avoid staining your hands. Give a cheap hollow core door the look of luxury with stain.
What kind of wood is used for budget doors?
The type of wood most often found in budget doors is a fine- or "seedy"-grained wood that has a slight red tint. This wood won't accept a light stain color like "oak" or "light maple" very well. The moment you apply the stain, the red tint of the wood will appear.
Is a hollow core door good?
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images. While hollow core doors are often great budget-savers when compared to solid wood panel doors, there's no reason they can't be attractive. A nice wood stain that matches the wood work and compliments the color scheme in the room can make even a $30 door look expensive.
Why Might You Need to Trim Your Hollow Core Door?
You might have an awkward door frame in a non-standard size that makes purchasing a new door incredibly difficult. You could estima te the size or even misread your tape measure. Mistakes do happen, and can mean that when your new door turns up it’s an inch too tall for its frame.
How to smooth out rough edges on a door?
Use a fine grit paper to smooth off any rough patches on the cut edge. A hand sander will obviously make this job quicker and easier, but try to be gentle and restrained, or you may wind up losing more height on the door.
How to stop a door from splintering?
Start by drawing a pencil line to show where you’re cutting, then grab a knife and a guide and score the surface of the door. This helps stop the door splintering when you start sawing it.
What are the different types of wood doors?
Wooden doors come in three types: solid wood, solid core and hollow core. As you would expect, solid wood doors are made from thick slabs of wood. They are strong, secure and are good insulators. They are also rather costly which makes them a natural choice for external doors. Solid core doors have a thin veneer of high-quality natural wood fixed ...
How to protect a door from damage?
Another tip is to wrap the foot of a circular saw with tape, as this can protect the surface of the door from damage as well. Cut the door. The big moment. Use a guide and keep the saw steady to ensure a clean straight edge and minimise the risk to the door. Sand the door.
What is solid core door?
Solid core doors have a thin veneer of high-quality natural wood fixed over a core of engineered wood, such as HDF.
What happens if you cut off the top of a door?
This answer does come with a ‘but’ though. If you cut off too much of the door’s top, bottom or sides you could damage it’s structural integrity.
How long to sand a door to slim it down?
And it worked like a charm. It seriously took him less than sixty seconds of running a hand sander across the top of the door to ever-so-slightly slim it down so it no longer got caught by the door frame as snugly on those hot and humid days. And even if we didn’t have a hand sander, we’re sure about five minutes with a sanding block or even a piece of sandpaper and some elbow grease would have also done the trick. Oh and painting the top edge after you sand it (priming first = extra credit) will further keep it from expanding again, so your door will be shaved into submission for the long haul.
Do you paint a sanded side of a bambino door?
That used to happen to us too! Make sure to paint the sanded side (even just with primer if you don’t have much time b/c of the bambino!) because as soon as it gets humid again the door will swell up again, sanding or no sanding.
