FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Building Redwood Doors-

Hiker | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 12, 2006 03:50am

My client has asked if we could build his interior and exterior doors out of redwood.  I have built several screen doors out of redwood but not full interior or exterior. 

I am really not worried about the interior doors but I am concerned about the durability for an exterior door.  The supply of redwood I have available (CVG) is somewhat brittle and I am concerned about cracking at the hinge connections and at the door knob.

The doors will be 3 panel shaker style rails and styles.  I have thought about veneering with redwood over laminated pine or poplar rails and stiles.   My concern there is that after you cut the mortises, your back down to redwood.

Has anybody had experience with redwood as a door material?  Would love your feedback,

thanks

Bruce

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Dudley | Jun 12, 2006 04:21pm | #1

    I'll bump it - use to make doors in Austria - but not out of redwood

    I would think that a a seven quarter exterior door would not crack at the hinge/lock stress points.  Pre-drilling screw holes is a must and you may want to use use screw sleeves that are more forgiving.  There are some custom hinge makers that can set you up with a very strong hinge and a set of screws that will set well in red wood.

  2. andy_engel | Jun 12, 2006 05:44pm | #2

    Dudley's point about thicker material is a good one. I made my front door from that holy of holies, quarter-sawn white oak. It's laminated from three layers of 4/4 material, with the center layer alternately recessed to form dados for the panels, and projecting to form full depth tenons.

    I'd be a little worried about the full depth tenons in flat sawn material because of wood movement, but cvg redwood isn't going to move much, just like qswo. The door is thick - 2 1/4 in. - but that works well in an Arts and Crafts house. I glued it up with Weldwood Plastic Resin glue, which has a good open time, doesn't creep when dry, and is waterproof.

    I finished the panels before glue up for durability and ease. To prevent them being accidentally glued in place, I wrapped them in Saran Wrap, which I razored off after the glue set.

    Andy

    "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

    "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

    1. Hiker | Jun 12, 2006 11:47pm | #7

      Andy,

      It sounds like you set up the laminations so that you did not have to do any mortising, rather you just fit the tenons in the "gap" and continued laminating. Is that the case?

      Bruce

      1. andy_engel | Jun 13, 2006 04:56am | #8

        Exactly so. It was easy - mortises cut with a chopsaw, in effect. So far, the door's been there for about 7 years with no problems. Well, some water spots where my idiot offspring sprayed it down with a SuperSoaker, but nothing structural <G>Andy

        "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

        "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

  3. sungod | Jun 12, 2006 06:15pm | #3

    Have your client show you a good example of one. You may find more examples made from exotic hardwood that are "red" in color.
    Redwood is lightweight and the wood is very soft. The color of exterior redwood always turns a dirty gray. A lot of the commonly available Redwood is not all heartwood, the non red part is usually eaten by termites.
    I was in Northern Calif. where redwood country is, I was looking at their stacks, they were all premium. Apparently, they sort out all the stuff with white wood in it and ship out to all of us.
    I think it was in FHB where the one page ad shows a large redwood deck. The lumber yards I know do not have that much premium redwood and its certainly not as beautiful now as when the picture was taken.
    I am no expert on redwood doors, but I always recommend against using redwood for decking.
    Since you have experience in building redwood screen doors, take a look at your old jobs. Your old screen doors will tell you more than I can.

  4. jrnbj | Jun 12, 2006 06:50pm | #4

    I'll chime in too....bad choice for doors....if it's durability your clients want, Mahogany is the way to go (or perhaps Teak)....

    1. jesse | Jun 12, 2006 09:17pm | #5

      Go for it. It works. It's soft and will definitely wear, but if that is OK, go for it.

  5. Hiker | Jun 12, 2006 11:45pm | #6

    Thanks for the opinions and insights

    Bruce

  6. kiwibuilder | Jun 13, 2006 05:34am | #9

    When I finished trade school I worked for a short time for a company that built colonial wooden joinery in NZ.  Our premium line of exterior doors and windows were redwood. Nice and stable in a humid enviroment.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans

Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
  • FHB Summit 2025 — Design, Build, Business
  • A Summer Retreat Preserved in the Catskill Mountains
  • Fine Homebuilding Issue #332 Online Highlights

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data