How to Update a Flat Panel Hollow Core Door | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert upgrades a standard, flat panel hollow core door to look more modern.
#ThisOldHouse #AskTOH
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Time: 4-5 hours
Cost: $50-100
Skill Level: Beginner to Moderate
Tools List for Updating a Flat Panel Door: [YT]
Screwdriver [amzn.to/2FjzH2Y] or drill [amzn.to/39xAWcR]
Tape measure [amzn.to/2Fj7E3y]
Miter saw [amzn.to/2tviFfn]
Brad nailer [amzn.to/39xFLmt]
Caulking gun [amzn.to/2QHfHwy]
Paint brush [amzn.to/2MTZSkT]
Paint bucket [amzn.to/39EgTJs]
Shopping List: [YT]
Decorative trim [amzn.to/39EQqLV]
New door hardware [amzn.to/2SWgY5H]
Wood glue [amzn.to/39AZYaW]
Brad nails [amzn.to/37EisFP]
Wood putty [amzn.to/2QkVz45]
Caulk [amzn.to/37BRgHM]
Paint [amzn.to/2MRusf6]
Steps:
1. Start by taking the door off of the hinges.
2. Remove all the hardware from the door using a screwdriver or a drill.
3. Mark the layout for the door. In general, Nathan likes to start with a 4” rail on the top, center the middle rail around the doorknob, and leave any excess on the bottom.
4. Cut all the trim to size and miter the edges.
5. Apply wood glue to the cut the trim and also along the edges of the layout on the door. Glue the trim to the door and secure it in place with the brad nails.
6. Fill in all the nail holes with wood putty and caulk around the edges of the trim.
7. Paint the door to the desired sheen and color.
8. Install the new hardware to the door and hang it back up.
Resources:
Updating a hollow core door can save some time trying to hang a completely new door and can save some money compared to buying a new door as well.
To add the fake panels, Nathan used some molding, which can be found at any home center. He secured those to the door using Gorilla wood glue [amzn.to/2tpz4SI] and a 20V Max Cordless Bradnailer, which is manufactured by Dewalt [amzn.to/2rWNcmc]. Nathan then painted the door using Behr Marquee in Ultra Pure White [amzn.to/39BPIz0]. He also replaced the old brass hardware with a bedroom/bathroom door knob, which is manufactured by Kwikset [amzn.to/2QG6Zys].
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Twitter: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
bit.ly/AskTOHTw...
Pinterest: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Instagram: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Tumblr: bit.ly/ThisOldH...
Keywords:
This Old House, Ask This Old House, DIY, Home Improvement, DIY Ideas, Renovation, Renovation Ideas, How To Fix, How To Install, How To Build, Nathan Gilbert, Kevin O'Connor, woodworking, interior door, upgrade, flat panel hollow core door
Watch the full episode:
www.thisoldhou...
How to Update a Flat Panel Hollow Core Door | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@hungryarch7319]

I moved into a house built in 1956...had these doors all over....did something similar and it made a HUGE difference

[@amdistant5547]

About to do something similar, beats buying a new door at Home Depot for ridiculous amounts of money.

[@carynsimmons922]

I wish you would tell us what kind of trim to get. I have had a hard time finding the right molding.

[@MononokeLynn]

The home I live in was built in 1950 by a professor at the local university. A lot of things would have to be customized, so the husband and I are DIYing where we can. We recently replaced our hallowcore front and back doors and it made a world of difference this winter, but now our interior flat doors are boring. We’re going to make a similar design to the front door, following this tutorial!

[@cvzxxzcv]

If you have a mid century house, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR FLUSH DOORS! Someone replaced all my flush doors with 6 panels in a mid century house! Currently in the process of replacing! If you have a mid mod house, you’ll ruin the homes aesthetic using these panel doors!

[@TomKaren94]

I had three unfinished flush hollow core doors left over from jobs and renos. One became my light-duty and painting workbench top. One became my wife's potting shed countertop and one I built a rail on and briwaxed the heck out of it until it transitioned into a homemade version of an air hockey table.

[@peterlandry1101]

This past spring we wanted to replace all of our doors professionally. For 20 doors, it would have cost over $12000.00. I used this method to update the existing doors and only spent just over $1200.00. (That's right, 1/10th of the replacement cost!) We did install new doorknobs, but were able to reuse the hinges, which I painted. We love how our "new" doors look!

[@morrisjvan]

Back in the 60's it was common to 'modernise' your old paneled doors by fitting a flat sheet of thin plywood over them to give them that flush panel look !

[@degenwow]

xD

[@jimshireman2683]

This is exactly what I am looking to do. My home is approximately 120 years old.. Many years ago someone made off with the original front door and a prior owner installed a front exterior hollow core door. .. Front door alone is 88 X 33 3/4 ... would cost me $2 - $3K to have a custom door made to replace it. I can spend less than $150 to do this. Makes more financial sense to me since we do not plan to keep this home forever.

[@crs1012]

I recently priced this out. It actually costs more to trim out a door like this, than to buy a brand new, bored door.

[@shadowblack1987]

Wut?... $10 of trim vs $150-$250 door...

[@crs1012]

When I priced this out, it was about 34 linear feet of trim per door(front and back), and that’s using the existing, 50 yr old hollow core door. The trim was $1.5 per LF, that comes out to roughly $50 per door. I could buy one, brand new 6 panel door, pre bored, for about $40. Made more sense to get brand new doors in this situation. I could have looked for cheaper trim, but that’s not the look they were going for.

[@crs1012]

Ronan B ahh, I see by you saying $150-$250 per door, you were thinking I was going with solid wood doors. Not sure about your neck of the woods, but no one around here has solid wood interior doors.

[@bssn9469]

Sorry, not correct.

[@jacobframe8769]

Seems like a lot of work. It can make it look a little bit better (if done well like these guys show) but it is still going to feel like a cheap hollow door.

[@degenwow]

this is no work, you just put moulding on door

[@maddawgzzzz]

work? Your glueing molding on a door and calling it a day lmao.

[@jacobframe8769]

Call a contractor and ask them to do it for free, you know, because it's just putting molding on a door. It's no work at all.

[@EagleArrow]

I have the typical hollow 6 panel doors, but would like to update them to be more solid wood. You think I could put wood veneers on each side or just buy new solid wood doors?

[@GregCameron2008]

I had this same idea a few months ago. Didn’t try it then because of feedback I got from others. But now I’m gonna try it

[@mouaxiong8618]

Btw, our house is held together with glue and some really small staples.

[@briancnc]

I've done this back in the day with renovations but not worth it. A six panel slab these days is around $38, probably just as much or more as 30-40 lineal feet of panel molding + all the time, and the finished result looking cheap and nothing like even the faux six panel hollow doors.

[@Nill757]

BrianCNC Good point. TOH needs to highlight the thinking about when, and when not to try and replicate what the factory can do more cheaply and better. Labor and skill should focus the on what the factory does not build in qty 100,000.

[@tambarlas5248]

"Little did viewer know the TOH started cloning Tommy years ago..."

[@trisnuradi3070]

Thanks for sharing!!! ❤

[@90barns]

I've always said that any job is easy when you have the right tools to do it.

[@Mgunner7623]

I built one of these over 4 days and then realized a 6 panel door can be purchased for about $50 at home depot.

[@thatstrami]

Thank you for this video super great idea looks awesome. Going to be doing the same thing with a plain front door that was installed already Drew out the template on the door going to be cutting the molding tomorrow. Thanks a lot super excited

[@johnroberts9560]

Hi TOH , thanks for showing us how to turn a flat door into a panel door with trim , nice job guys !!! 👍😊🔨🔩🔧

[@paulasoppitt5207]

What paint is that. How will it stick to the shiny surface?

[@jimpike830]

What size trim and what size of brad nails did you use?

[@adriananavarro2308]

The door Looks so Great!!! Thank you for the video The change was Huge

[@Nill757]

Note by contrast the projects Tommy builds the barn. They are unique, not to found hanging in the big box store for $40 like a six panel door.

[@theoisme]

What about panel to flat? Best approach?

[@Kaodusanya]

lol use a plane

[@jewermank8536]

So just one side? I think I would pre build those boxes and lay them out with a laser, I have 8 doors, will take alot of time otherwise

[@gemini022]

This is the one

[@deszelldaniels9522]

I am doing this

[@DanBurgaud]

I still prefer a real SOLID door over of a hollow one. Nonetheless, this project is a good upgrade

[@kubtastic]

For a more modern look, edit-undo everything because it started modern

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😂 traditional is the new modern....again....

[@eduardoquintanav]

What kind of paint he use for this door?

[@busog97641]

I am not sure if you actually care now after weeks later. I am only now getting to watch this episode, but the paint has a satin finish 01:54. I think that they did not mention the brand name because of their advertising guidelines, but one could just use any brand. I hope this helps. 🙂

[@teaglet]

I have at least 10 hollow core doors to repressed with 4 or 6 panel doors. Gzzz

[@lolitabonita08]

idea grate but what about measurements???? or we just have to guess? the doors look amazing...thank you for the idea

[@jamesvelvet3612]

This looks good in a picture (or video) because there is no depth. As a consequence it looks really good. In real life (3 dimensions) I'm afraid the tacked on molding would look well, too tacky. A real six panel hollow door is what? $90 and they come primed. A no brainer.

[@realworldcarpentryremodeli5868]

Probably should’ve painted door and moldings before applying moldings. Just saying

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Actually, I prefer the flat look. Why would I want more dust catching ridges?

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Too-old Forthischet who are you talking to? Secondly, are you that lazy to dust? Haha

[@2-old-Forthischet]

@@johnlebzelter4208 yup, dusting is at the bottom of the priority list.

[@koppie644]

I think that the paint is playing a much bigger role. Simply paint the slab door and it’s going to be as good looking, maybe a little too modern if everything else has an outdated look

[@BPratto]

Six panel doors are booring, what house doing a fake makeover doesn't have them. Wish you could have done something to compete with the line, 50 and 60's home have them.

[@jenp8186]

I personally love six panel doors. The top and middle panel together looks like a cross. But I have 3 panel doors .🚪

[@degenwow]

I don't know why, but it looks really bad. it looks like someone put moulding on door with no recess.

[@rorybellamy2533]

Spray paint this door for the like furniture finish

[@maddawgzzzz]

sand the door, then paint it...

[@graphguy]

I hate the junk contractors put in houses. They throw in a $60 door and charge you $500. Robbery.

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

Shoemaker carpenters do this, true craftsman never do.

[@briankuhn1731]

You got to factor in time to take out the old door and put in a new one. Also the trim around the door

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

@@briankuhn1731 well you have to actually remove that birch hollow core and work on a bench. It would be a pita while hung.

[@Janaesolts42]

I have those doors but want different they are dated to me

[@kevinklepp9526]

A totally different door looks a whole lot better as for it to fit into a room

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

The tasks are really running on employ. As others have mentioned, buy a panel.

[@refink33]

but what about the whole "Hollow" Core Door problem. Isn't there anything you can fill the door with that help minimize noise?

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

It's called buying a solid core door panel.

[@MojoPup]

Sure... Get a lot of wood putty, thin it out with mineral spirits and pump it into the hollow parts of the door....😄

[@jeffkelderman227]

7

[@koppie644]

When soundproofing is not a serious issue, this is a good way to save trees

[@degenwow]

open up the hollow core door and add wood

[@hasbeendrummer]

Paul Sr. disapproves.

[@steve_main]

That looks horrible and looks like it would take 3 hours.. spend the $50 and just get a new door, it will be already primed.

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Steve Main you look horrible 🤣

[@steve_main]

@@johnlebzelter4208 Hey now! :)

[@maxchartier]

just buy a new door

[@ariescustom]

And that's why the world is covered in landfills full of waste.

[@Michael-jm5ix]

Hinges may not align correctly with a new slate door, requires quite a bit of precise measurements and an entire door with frame is way more work to install. This is very cheap to replicate and takes less time. A new door may require painting regardless, so the time you're really putting is in cutting the trim and nailing it on.

[@patzeuner3362]

If they are using an older door prior to the 70's the material is heavier. The doors you buy now are thin and the raised paneled doors are made of a composite material, basically cardboard.

[@txshah78]

Why not drill small hole and fill it with sand to make it heavier. No need to throw it away. Fixed

[@johnny6071]

@@patzeuner3362 Did ya miss the segment? These doors are 1950-70 and are the shittiest interior door to have ever been made. Its 1/8 panelling with cardboard in between, a pine spine for the hinges. If you want that quality heavy wood door you are talking about you're looking before world war 2, more likely late 19th century early 20th.

[@Paullyell]

I like just about everything they show on here but this just looks like crap i would not do this plus its hollow what are they nailing it to. I do not like this one it looks terrible as well just buy a door.

[@Mustardcrust4u]

Didn’t like how he set the knob on the finished door. Scratch or drop while putting it down.... just not careful. IMO

[@fmaz1952]

I watched that segment 3 times and I'm not sure what the problem is. You don't like that he sets the knob on the door? Can you explain more what you saw wrong?

[@benritchsmith]

Still a hollow core door. But hey, form of over function. Right? Not the old This Old House....

[@TheCodEliteKiller]

Is this safe for a front door? Yea sure if you wanna get robbed

[@TheSingingCelebrant]

Should have quit when you were ahead - you made a terrible looking door worse

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

😂 good grief, i keep thinking nathan is tommy's son. i wonder if that's the reason they brought him in....

[@degenwow]

Kevin is Tomm's son.