Good Questions: How To Replace My Junky Door?

Hello AT,

The door to my apartment is one of those junky bedroom door esque hollow core doors, and I want to change it out for something a kitten couldn’t break through. The rest of the brownstone is occupied by a single family, and the other (front) ½ of my floor is occupied by someone who comes and goes quite a bit, at all hours of the day & night. All this coming and going heighten my fear that someone could get into the building as once that happens I’m done for, whether it be just my much loved stuff taken or something far worse that I’d rather not think about in any detail…

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How do I go about finding a better door for my apartment? My landlords are nice but aren’t entirely on the ball about fixing things so I figure if I do the research, all they have to do is put up the $.

So far, every where I’ve looked offers either interior doors that may be more solid than mine, but still aren’t intended to be the point of entry for an apartment, or are exterior doors which are far fancier, elaborate, expensive and suited to dealing with the elements than my apartment door needs be. There are tons of brownstones and other row houses that have been converted into apartment buildings with suitable entry doors – anyone know where these come from?

Someone at Build It Green (which I’m a huge fan of despite not having made it there yet) said they may have what I need, but it’s not entirely convenient to get to for a maybe…

THANK YOU! Rebecca

Comments (4)

Hi Rebecca,

Simpson (www.simpsondoor.com) has a wide selection of doors and it seems like you're looking for a simple exterior door that is maybe solid wood for more security. I bought a few Simpson doors through Mensch lumber (www.menschmill.com) in Flushing and Jacob at Mensch lumber was unbelievably helpful in helping me pick out the right doors.

Hope this is helpful.

posted by houseofclara on 2006-10-04 18:02:39

That door is in Prague, isn't it? (and I think I know exactly where)

posted by Monika on 2006-10-04 19:34:37

Take current door measurements and head to local home improvement store -- for entry/solid doors and locks. It may save you some time to call them first. Does your door have to meet any codes for fire safety?

good luck!

posted by lynn on 2006-10-05 08:57:24

Also, remember that a door is only as strong as the latch and frame. Put a heavy door into a cheap frame and it can still be kicked in. Now a lot of doors are sold pre-hung which helps out with this, but remember to think of the entire entryway and not just the door in terms of safety.

posted by Max on 2006-10-05 11:36:41