How To Make A REAL Door From Plywood

Project build article:

Watch how I install this door:

I have seven of these to make for the main floor of my house. While money can be saved by making these yourself, there is a lot of work involved, so you should consider that before taking it on. My reasons for doing this are mainly because I'll end up with doors that are much better quality than the typical hollow core doors you get from the retailers. Also, I have the freedom to make them exactly how I want, as plain or as fancy as needed to match the decor.

The older door installation video:

Here are some ways that you can help support the work I do in making these videos:

Plans for sale:

[khavafis]

As videos go this on sits at the top: no BS, no fluff, no waste of time with stupid sxxt intros, it's right down to the matter, which is what viewers spending lots of time in youtube looking for info on fixing their cars or making a door... are looking for. It's not rocket science but it is not a common practice either. Secondly, this straightforward tutorial gave me an idea I didn't have to skip the pricey manufactured MDF interior doors in the style that I love, Shaker. Thank you!

[edwardchandler]

Hey John thanks so much for this video! I just completed mine and it turned out just as you built it. The only thing I did differently was to use Birch plywood to the customer's request. It was so easy to construct just as you showed in your video

[IBuildItHome]

Older build article:

I have seven of these to make for the main floor of my house. While money can be saved by making these yourself, there is a lot of work involved, so you should consider that before taking it on. My reasons for doing this are mainly because I'll end up with doors that are much better quality than the typical hollow core doors you get from the retailers. Also, I have the freedom to make them exactly how I want, as plain or as fancy as needed to match the decor.

The older door installation video:


Here are some ways that you can help support the work I do in making these videos:

[spark-taco]

I remembered this vid from a year ago or so and came back to it. This will stay relevant for indefinetly particularly as the prices of door keeps going up to the moon and yet one can make it easily with ply thanks to this excellent video. Thanks a lot!

[perverseacumen]

I love this.. I bought an old home (built in the 1930s) that has seen some renovations that left me with a bunch of awful cardboard torsion box style interior doors, until I saw this I had resigned myself to either paying out the nose for solid wood doors new, or to spending every free moment out trying to source appropriately sized antique doors... After watching this two weeks back I am already three of five doors in, and my technique has improved with each one. Thanks!

[FireEaterJahfre]

I've been looking forward to making one of these for years. I'm finally able to start. I have an inconvenient door between the living room and a seasonal room/sun room. The original door is a freakish cut-down of what used to be a mobile home main entrance door...and it is 40 years old. Ugly, not fully functional...but still useful for temperature control and privacy.

I have a complicated idea that this video has helped solidify. Maybe a ridiculous idea...but...I have time. LOL.

Desired Features:
1. Easily removable. Sometimes we don't want the door at all for a while.
2. Split: Top and bottom can open separately or be 4. removed separately.
3. Insulated: When it is closed it is because it is very cold or very hot in the seasonal room.
4. Window in Top half.
5. Removable insulating panel for top half, Stored in/on bottom half.
6. It doesn't really need to have a knob/lock...just some kind of pressure fit closure would work...like it has now.

Wish me luck. Haha.

[flatlandriver]

This is the best door making video on Youtube imo. Thank You. From here I went and looked up your website because it looks like you got fed up with utube. Cheers🇨🇦

[_Carmelito]

I really liked how you did the edges of the door. Some people just leave that out or just don't finish it. Great work!

[kelvartis]

There was a lot of great information to soak up but as a carpenter I'm left with a feeling I have a lot more to learn in this corner of wood working.

[russellbantin]

Made it last year and it still looks and works great. Thanks for the video

[michaelwyles]

I read that you made all the door's for your home and it took some time and energy but their not crappy door's. Their Beautiful door's you should be proud to say, I made these door's. I wish I had half the talent that you have in wood working. I have a little bit and can do some of what you are doing but not all, so my hats off to you good Sir. Thank you for sharing your Knowledge with us.

[jono]

Awesome video - great to see someone from the GWN still using freedom units (imperial)!!!

[erit]

SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS VIDEO!!!! thank you for sharing a bare bones, but easy to follow video!

[crowznest]

That's an interesting approach using a material that hadn't even crossed my mind.

[AlexanderDyer]

I really like the lumber inserts to finish the edges of the door. I am going to try this soon, Thanks!

[patrickkellar]

Really wish I'd seen this design before I made a set of doors for my workshop. The edge banding/finishing was a nice touch. Thanks for sharing.

[lizzapaolia]

What a fantastic method, a very strong dooras well. Thanks for sharing your talent. Looks fantastic 😃🙏❄️

[paullangford]

My Dad was a builder, and made doors, especially one for a school tuck shop. But he didn't just use wood or plywood; he put in a steel panel. Made them much more robust. Even resists a fencepost used as a battering ram.

[wordsofhis]

Love it! Why didn't I think of building a door that way? Built quite a few. People don't realize just how labor intensive a simple door is. Near genius!

[jeffforbes]

Pretty nice John...looks like an easy, low cost way to get good quality and customize to your needs. Thanks for sharing.