The oak will need urethane reapplied every 3 -5 years. I have solid oak south facing with a 8 ft porch but the bottom half of door gets cooked fades. I live in hot humid climate so I also deal with door swelling shrinking Its 20 years old and I’ve stripped and redone the door many times. JFYI. I have chose not to replace cause I like look of real wood I think the doors look nice and much better than what u currently have. Just wanted u to know real wood will need up keep.

Rehabit,

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I really appreciate it. I do understand that wood doors must be maintained but I didn't know what kind of product should be used. Do you use oil or water base urethane? Do you apply it with a sprayer, brush or rag? I would be happy if it didn't need to be done more than every 3-5 years. I would like to add some kind of shade trellis to the front of the house but it seems a bit tricky to come up with a design that will work.

I agree. Almost any doors would be better than what we currently have. I absolutely hate those half circle windows. If we get the oak doors, We will remove the screen doors at least for the cooler months when they aren't needed.

Why make the doors look odd by adding an inch to the bottom? Add an inch to the top of the jamb and use the doors as is. It will look much better.

Those oak doors are beautiful!

To prepare to stain the doors a darker color, what type of stripper should I use? Any suggestions for a stain color? I don't want red or orange tones.

Thank you, Kudzu9, for your suggestion. I was worried that the doors would look too short if we left it as is. However, I think your idea to add an inch to the jamb probably would be the best thing to do. We will have to make changes to the door jamb anyway because the hinge placement is different on the new doors.

Thank you Kathyg_in_mi,

I really like them too!

They're really nice doors and the inch difference in height is not going to be a big deal. I'm glad the idea works for you.

Actually it looks like you are going from a steel double door so you may want to look at changing the door frame as well. The steel doors are probably actually only 79" and the frame would more than likely be set up with magnetic weatherstrip and a threshold designed for a steel door door bottom sweep. This way you can use an interlocking saddle and a quality Q-lon compression weatherstripping.

Since you’re keeping the screen doors, I’d paint the door—I wouldn’t stain it. Then I’d paint the screen door the same color as the door. If you stain the door but leave the screen door white, imagine how the two will look together. I’m thinking it won’t look so good. 😉

If you’re open to that idea, we can talk color. But here’s what I’m thinking:

Thank you Kate, Millworkman and Sammy. We got the doors. I am so excited! It will be great to finally replace the old ones that are such an eyesore.

The new doors are definitely solid oak. The wood is in good shape but the exterior side shows some neglect. The finish is also more orange than it looked in the photos.I will probably post a question on the paint forum about how to strip and refinish them. I don't want to mess them up.

Millworkman, you are correct that the steel doors are 79". It didn't have much weatherstripping. The wind was able to blow right through a large gap at the bottom and between the doors. I was completely unaware that there is a difference between thresholds for steel vs wood doors. Thank you so much for letting me know. We will definitely change out the frame and add the Q-lon compression seal that you suggested. I found this one on the Home Depot website.

Is this the best type or should I look elsewhere? They also have it in brown. Should the color of the seal match the door or the door frame?

I looked up interlocking saddles. There seem to be many different types. We get lots of wind so I'm willing to spend money on quality parts to keep the cold drafts out. Would you be able to suggest the best type of threshold to get and where to buy it?

As you can see in the photo, there is a seal attached to the bottom of the door. Should we replace it? We will swap out the gold metal strip with satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. Would it be a good idea to use a taller metal strip to better protect the door after it is refinished? Our door hardware throughout the house is satin nickel but if the door is stained dark brown, should the kick plate and threshold have a dark finish as well?

Sorry for the multiple questions. I know absolutely nothing about door hardware and accessories.

Sammy,

Thank you so much for your suggestions and photos. I agree with you 100% that the white screen doors look terrible and would look even worse over stained doors. We have been discussing that as well. The only reason we have put up with them this long is that the doors behind them were just as ugly. As I mentioned, we will remove the screen doors for the winter. My hope is that they'll never be reinstalled. (I will make every effort to find more attractive screen doors or security doors before next summer.)

Painting the doors and screen doors to match would have been a great plan if keeping them together. However, I think I would like to try a dark stain on the doors. If it doesn't turn out well, I can always paint them later.. If we have to put up the same screen doors, I'll paint them dark brown to better match the doors.

Now I just need to figure out what procedure and products to use to strip and refinish. I will post photos when it's done. Thanks again and have a blessed day.

Go to a real lumberyard and have them order you a new wood door frame. Stay out of the box stores. The new frame will come with weatherstripping. Make sure you tell them you want an interlocking saddle as it even appears you have the door interlock already on this pair of doors.

I agree, the big box stores are bad news.

Window Genius- That’s a rather all-encompassing statement. I get certain speciality items elsewhere, but I have no problem with getting many of my supplies at big box stores, especially when my local small business has more limited options.