New Door - Old Hole

[Andrew Bodenham]

So, the reckoning is that if you take the required 3" or so off the bottom of the door it will leave the bottom rail looking a bit weedy. One way round this would be to build up the top edge of the bottom rail to compensate. Bit tricky to tell from the pic, but the panels look flat. You should be able to prise out the bottom and side beadings, then add a couple of blocks to build up the depth of the bottom rail, then re-cut and re-fit the beadings in the new smaller panels. After a blast with plane / sander and 3 coats of paint you'll have a better proportioned door which will stand all but the closest inspection.

 

[worms]

I had also wondered about building up the appearance of the bottom rail, and was afraid the purists would decry this! In view of the fact that you have an original version next door, can you sneak over and do the measurements there to see why theirs fits? Since anyone passing will have the two side-by-side to compare, I think it would be good to have the bottom rail looking correct.

 

[thiambal]

Interesting thought. The lower pannel are flush with the rails and with a 1/2" bead around. Alas, even if it were possible to alter the exterior - and I am not sure exactly if the construction would allow the removal of the bead - the interior side of the panel recess has a moudling similar to that on the inside of a sash window and and alteration would screw that up.