Hello!

I am looking to make my home more in the 1920's era style. I'd like to replace my contemporary interior doors with 5-panel doors. I know that there are now 5-panel doors available in MDF now, but I'm not sure about the cost difference when comparing with a real wood door. If I selected an MDF door, I'd paint them white. If solid wood, then I'd want to stain them -- what kind of wood species would be authentic for interior doors?

Where is a good place to get the door knob/plates, hinges and mortise locks? I probably prefer a "burnished antique" or "oil-rubbed bronze" finish.

Can I use a mortise lock in an MDF type door? Or would I need to find a company that makes a modern lock for an antique style knob/plate?

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy these things? I know about Rejuvenation, but they are fairly expensive.

Any recommendations/comments would be great!

Thanks for your help!

Ken

Hi. 5 panel doors should be relatively easy to find on the internet, however, the shipping cost may be prohibitive. Being so close to Philadelphia, you may want to travel to some salvage yards in that area (Just be sure to bring measurements along with you).
While you are looking for the doors, you will undoubtedly run into some hardware to your liking. There is so much vintage hardware available to the general public. You can also check on a website called auctionzip. This is a website that will help you find auctions. A subscription to Antique Week may also help directing you to the right sources.
There is no doubt as to the availability of the doors you are looking for. The decision you have to ultimately make will be how you want to spend your time and money.
I hope I have helped you in some way, and I am confident others will reply with further assistance. Thanks for contributing to the forum, and good luck with your search. Tim

You might also find a local cabinet maker who would be willing to duplicate your doors. Several of my doors are copies of the originals, but you'd never know the difference. And together they weren't that expensive.

The House of Antique Hardware (that's also their URL) has a range of different types of hardware for vintage homes.

Architectural salvage is great, as Tim has mentioned, but sometimes problematic finding identical pieces.

R.

The non-profit historic preservation group I am a member of has about 35 five panel doors in jambs with plain glass transoms, complete with all hardware. Here's a picture


These are from a law school dormitory built in 1935.



We're pretty far away, (Iowa) but perhaps worth it if you're looking for multiple doors. We also have all the original casing too, as shown in the second picture. Our price for these at our salvage barn is $150.00

Here is a blog post I wrote about the salvage:
Need A Door? Or 50?

Thanks, all! I have a lot of investigating to do.

--Ken

Try:

www.historicyork.org

They arn't that far south of you to make a day trip. They have row upon row of doors. Email them, it's on their web site.

Edee

Good Morning Friends,
Welcome to all of you new members to these fine forums and you will find many good links of information but, please do watch how you phrase your collection as I would hate to have to delete any that might sound as an advertisement for said doors.

For all styles of hardware one might try http://www.vandykes.com as I deal with them on a regular basis when restoring pieces.

Respectfully,

Ralph