Brownstone entry doors - restore or replace?

7 months ago

I'm at the tale end of renovating my NYC brownstone and the entry doors need help. They are not plumb so cold air seeps in and they seem to be too large for regular weatherstripping. Any suggestions or contacts for tradespeople who could restore them, make them plumb and provide hardware?

Featured Answer

palimpsest

7 months ago

In general, a wood door or sash from the 19th c. is going to last a lot longer than a modern door--it already has, I know--. But I lived in two buildings built in the 1830s that had the original exterior and vestibule doors, and beat up as they were around all the edges, there was no rot.

Same with my window sashes, they were original to the house (numbered and dated on the edge in the jamb, and when they did a window project in our building, I elected to take out and repaint my sashes. They are still going strong. One of my neighbors who replaced hers, they are rotting already after 20 years.

I also think it would be Much more expensive to get a custom door appropriate to a brownstone than it would be to fix up the existing door.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 months ago
We need pics posted here in a comment to even begin to help. Usually the best answer is contact a door company and at least find out what door could be used . Usually if the door is not plumb that can be repaired but I need to see how bad it is .
Lyn Nielson
7 months ago
agree with needing photos and a bit more info. Sometimes it's better to replace than spend time and $ repairing something that has out lived its usefullness. If weatherstripping won't fix it, it may require a new jamb /frame as well as a new door.
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amystoller
7 months ago
You're probably already aware that there are a number of brownstone restoration specialists in NYC, and consulting them seems like a good place to start. You might also ask your neighbors if they have any recommendations. Some of them may already have gone through a similar process.

If you are not in a historic district and your house is not landmarked (this seems likely, since you haven't mentioned either), you can replace the doors if you want to; still, if you think your door is original to your house, restoration rather than replacement seems optimal to me. Mind you, I tend to be preservationist on principle, so consider the source!

For anyone reading this who doesn't know what I'm talking about: If you own a landmarked property or a property in a historic district in NYC, you need advance permission from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to make any changes to the exterior of your property, especially the part visible from the street. You have to be prepared to submit paperwork, and that includes pictures. Landmarked properties may also have restrictions on interior changes—it depends on what portion of the property is registered as a landmark.
amystoller
7 months ago
Those are great points, palimpsest! The expense of replacing a non-"standard" size door or window is considerable, and you're unlikely to end up with anything as suitable as the original.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 months ago
Still need the pics please if you still need help
amystoller
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
A web search for "brownstone door repair nyc" brings up many possibilities. I still think asking your neighbors for recommendations is a good idea. If there is a historic district organization anywhere near your neighborhood, a member of the organization may also be able to help, though it's possible they'll be restricted from making endorsements. It can't hurt to ask!