Front door replacement?
We're in the thick of remodeling after moving in about 7 weeks ago. We have an atrium model Eichler with a front door that is chipping and looking worn. In addition, it has one of those swivel peepholes that my wife hates. We got a quote for a plain fiberglass replacement door, but it was unbelievably expensive, because the size is not standard (according to the door vendor). I think the problem is that they simply cant't deal with the fact that we don't want a pre-hung door with jamb.
Has anybody successfully replaced their atrium door? Are we better off just plugging the eyehole, sanding and filling?
Thanks-
You should be able to find a door pro from this site, or in you yellow pages. you'll want to get a solid core birch slab door from a door/window specialty place (not Home Depot or any other Home disImprovement place). A new door, sized for your jam, should only cost you $100. Hire a pro to dap it and hang it, that will maybe cost you another $150. Paint and hardware, another $35. If you have an original escutcheon plate backing your exterior knob, be sure who ever drills the door knows that so you can continue using this extremely rare Eichler detail. Pretty easy thing to do without messing up the original character of your home.
The swivel peephole that your wife hates is also a very rare Eichler original that was designed to match the round escutcheon plate on your exterior door knob.
If you decide to remove it you may want to give it away on the Eichler network so someone else may be able to reinstall it into their front door.
I'm curious about the peephole--never knew there was such a thing installed in an original Eichler but part of the fun is discovering things you never knew. Any chance you could post a pic?
BTW, on the line of things I never knew, saw what was apparently an original "Dishmaster" in Sally's 1962 Palo Alto Eichler this weekend. It's integrated into the kitchen sink faucet. It's kind of a mechanical dishbrush with a dishsoap reservoir and, I think, I button for spray. OK, bad description. What does anyone know about when, where, and how common these were?
Jake
I just replaced my atrium door. I can understand the problems you are experiencing. Most companies will only install a pre-hung door that will not work with our non-standard door size, 83 inch. It took me a while but I finally found a place in Martinez called Moore's A-1 doors 925-372-8884. They are familiar with Eichlers which is a plus. They sent a door guy by the name of Bob out to the house, he looked it over and said no problem. He measured the existing frame and ordered the door directly from Moore's. It is a solid cored Birch door, it cost around $360 dollars, this might be higher than yours because I had cut dutch. Then Bob came back with the door and installed it. Works perfectly.
Renman's handyman (renmanman?) John replaced our atrium door this last spring. total cost installed was $455 which involved (snipped from the quote): "Remove entry door and hardware, plane and bevel strike side of door, plane hinge side of door, re-mortise hinges, install new primed hardboard door". The door was primed on all sides including top and bottom. John put in extra effort to get the door to seat just right, which the older door was not.
After he was done we had to get the paint touched up around the doorframe because it had to be planed down in one spot. Not that its John's fault, but just something to keep in mind that if you plan on getting a new door there may be some follow-up work as well.
btsoap:
Where are you located? If in the South Bay, I know of an excellent door company in San Jose. The owners are familiar w Eichlers and built us some custom closet doors that are fabulous. We also got quotes from them for replacing our front door and interior doors, but that was several years ago and I cannot remember what the cost was.
If interested, send me an email at cathyelynn AT earthlink DOT NET.
Cathye
Cathye,
i'll be interested in that contact.
thanks,
David
btsoap:
Where are you located? If in the South Bay, I know of an excellent door company in San Jose. The owners are familiar w Eichlers and built us some custom closet doors that are fabulous. We also got quotes from them for replacing our front door and interior doors, but that was several years ago and I cannot remember what the cost was.
If interested, send me an email at cathyelynn AT earthlink DOT NET.
Cathye
BTW, what were the original front door colors? Were they simply stained, or painted to match/contrast with the rest of the house?
