Sealing the cabin doors

[greekspeedoman]

I'm re-framing my doors right now (waiting for glue to dry). I cannot decide how to trim them out (aluminum) to seal them when they are closed. I know I want to put angle aluminum & a seal on the inside but what about the outside?

I know I've seen a thread about this but I cannot find it. I should have saved it.

What are some aluminum trims & methods that people have tried?

What is recommended?

I appreciate your advice & comments.

[madjack]

Mark, most folks probably do something like what is shown in the Generic BenRoy plans, which uses "T" molding applied around the door...the weatherstrip is placed on this and it seals against the wall(outside sealing)

We do it differently, we take two pieces of 1x1/16th Al angle, rip one leg(on both pieces) down to 1/4" and put the two long sides against each other to form a "Z"...the outer piece wraps around the door opening with the 1/4" lip capturing the side...the inner piece has the lip to the inside and the seal goes on this...we use TrimSeal for this seal and it provides a seal on the inside...we place the inner piece of 1x1/4" on first and the outer piece goes on over this...the door itself is either totally epoxied or a piece of 3/4" Al channel is wrapped around the door...once again, the legs(both of them) are ripped down to 1/4"...of course we build with 3/4" ply walls/doors, which allows us to do it thisaway..it is a good bit more work to doit this way but we like the nice clean finish you end up with...I believe Doug Hodder and Steve Frederick do something similar but use wood for the inner sealing flange...there should be a few pics in my personal album and there are more under my WWW button....
madjack

[jplock]

I used a simple black weather strip as shown in the picture the TD is 3 years old and not been any problems except for one minor fluke after a rain a little water sets on top of the top edge of the door upon openning it a little water will splash in. That is where a ronded top the water will run off. If I had it to do over I would have made a rounded top door instead of a square door.

[greekspeedoman]

Thanks Madjack,

That was exactly what I needed. Your description was perfect & your pictures exactly what I had in mind but couldn't picture there. Thanks! I think I'll do a variation of your design (my doors are insulated because it is the NW and not the south). Thank-you so much.

jplock, Thanks for the advice on the doors. My doors are square also (and now I wish they weren't). Do you think a piece of flat aluminum on the top to seal that would help the standing water issue you got?

[madjack]

Mark, JP...you can get a "rain diverter" to put above the door which will eliminate the water getting on top of the door...these are available from Grant at Lil Bear or most RV/mobile home supply places...you can see one above my window in the pic but they make them big enough to go across the top of the door...Grant also sells a "J" molding for the same useage
madjack

[greekspeedoman]

Thanks. I'll check out Grant's inventory.

I really like your door shape & outside light.

[madjack]

Mark, the door shape is matched to the roof profile and the lights are oil lamps which slip into the bracket, which is mounted with a single screw(keyhole slot) and velcro which makes them removable for travelling...we really like 'em...thanks for the kind words..........
madjack

[Dewi]

Personally I like the refreshments on the tongue box Very nice TD that MadJack!

Cheers, Dewi

[madjack]

...thanks Dewi...by the way...Beck's has Bite .......................................