Doors: DIY or Buy? If the latter, where?

[memsiej]

As I plan my first ever build, I'm looking for advice on doors. I am willing to drop the money on prefabbed doors if they're well made and water tight, but am also prepared to build if that's easier and just as reliable.

What have people done for doors? Links to products or tips on building appreciated. Thanks!

[saywhatthat]

we make are own doors with wiley windows used on boats cost about $50 US . Buy using liquid wood / steel easy to shape. glass foam

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[tony.latham]

...but am also prepared to build if that's easier and just as reliable.

Well-built DIY doors are as reliable but they involve a lot more work and require craftsmanship that's (obviously) above cutting a hole and installing factory doors.









Tony

[Sparksalot]

As Tony mentioned, diy is more work. If you go that route, be sure you fully fit the doors and seals BEFORE you apply CPES, The Mix or your sealer of choice. After sealing, the wood is rock hard and much more difficult to trim and adjust.

[Capebuild]

I had built my own doors. I had CAD files and had the 3 sheets that made up the doors CNC'd, although the sections could also be cut out using power tools (jig saw, band saw, etc.). I can suggest establishing the door opening in your cabin body first and then figuring out what kind of moldings would be used on both the cabin opening and the door opening, figuring what weather stripping gaskets you'll be using, how much clearance you'll need..... and kind of working your way back to the actual door dimensions. Also keep in mind the wood may move a little (swell or contract with the seasons) when figuring your clearance. If I had to do it again, I'd again make my own doors, especially if they are a certain (special) shape and not a standard shape.
John

[mountainminded]

There is a considerable amount of engineering that goes into the building of a trailer door that remains flat, seals tight and swings well in all seasons. The advantage of a manufactured door is that you can bypass all that and it will (mostly) work right out of the box. However, if the aesthetic of a modern RV door is not what you want then building your own is really your only option. And by building it yourself you can have the view framed exactly how you want it!

[JasenC]

What Mountain said.

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