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.

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Time: 4-5 hours

Cost: $50-100

Skill Level: Beginner to Moderate

Tools List for Updating a Flat Panel Door: [YT]

Shopping List: [YT]

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.

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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

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

[hungryarch]

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

[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!

[peterlandry]

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!

[carynsimmons]

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

[TomKaren]

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.

[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 !

[crs]

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

[jimshireman]

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.

[jacobframe]

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.

[barns]

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

[GregCameron]

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

[mouaxiong]

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

[johnroberts]

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

[tambarlas]

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

[adriananavarro]

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

[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

[jimpike]

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

[Mgunner]

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

[Nill]

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.

[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?