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Can these doors be saved?

10 days ago

I purchased an "80's modern" condo with these boring, unattractive flat doors. I have hesitated changing them because after living in old Victorians, these are the first doors I have ever had that shut, stay shut, don't stick and don't squeak. Friends have suggested putting up shaker molding on them (fad all over Instagram) but that would make the door thicker and then they wouldn't fit in the jamb and the the latch bolt wouldn't catch. Any suggestions before I take a loan from my 401(k) to have them replaced?


Comments (16)

  • 10 days ago

    Show us the room that holds these doors.


    Patti thanked Yvonne Martin
  • 10 days ago

    Good idea.


    2 of door next to kitchen, which is soon to be remodeled, and othe other side of that door in a den going into a bathroom. I replaced shutter doors in the closet to the left, and know I realize I have restricted myself to something that matches those 2 new doors.





  • 10 days ago
    last modified: 10 days ago

    What would you like to replace them with? I have very similar in my 60’s MCM, mine are solid core, I like the simplicity of them but my house is decorated modern. I think mine look a little better since my walls are painted in a warmer color.

    Btw, I like your art ( what little I see ).

  • 10 days ago

    Thank you. I thought I was going to make this place very modern too, but couldn't part with my stuff.

  • 10 days ago

    @Patti…… nothing wrong with that …. i grew up with MCM, dating myself, lol, just like modern. So funny, one of the Room & Board delivery guys were delivering something to my house, he said ”Wow!, this looks like a Room & Board showroom!” i’m sure he meant it as a compliment, lol! 😂

  • 10 days ago

    They will not seem so boring when you are not dusting the molding that isn't there.

    Patti thanked Rho Dodendron
  • PRO
    10 days ago

    These are some new doors from Masonite that can replace the ones you currently have.




    There are wraps that look like wood veneer that can be applied to flat doors. You'd have a wallpaper guy install them.


    You can have wallpaper applied to the doors also.


    Patti thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    The doors are perfect as they are. They basically disappear. Not everything in the room should be a the star. I'm looking at the bigger picture of all your trim work. It's all very low profile from what I can see. Don't muddle things up by trying to zhuzh a component of a bigger picture that looks like is working well already.

    If it were me, I'd upgrade the electrical outlets and switches to Lutron products when you renovate and have an electrician there. https://www.lutron.com/us/en It's surprising how that little detail upgrades a space.

  • 9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    Beverly, some of those door wraps are funny! I have north-facing windows, so I wish I had the guts to use this door wrap: Door Wrap

  • PRO
    9 days ago

    I think it depends on your stuff wether you can go modern . I like a mix of some special more traditional pieces and modern mixed. For now IMO they work and are nice a simple and for sure no wrap attached that starts peeling down the road,. I also think if the plan was modern if you do flat panel kitchen cabinets then these doors are perfect . Modern does not need to be boring or all white either So before spending money foolishly why not wait for a bit and see how your stuff works in the space . The kitchen can have flat panel doors but a knock out counter and so many way to work with simple.

  • PRO
    9 days ago

    Why don't you try painting them before replacing them. Not sure exactly which color might work well. You can try an assortment of colors that provide little or more contrast.

  • 9 days ago

    I am a big fan of keeping a list of “improvements for later“ after moving in - revisit it in a year, if the doors still bother you then consider replacing them but they may not bother you by then — personally i like how low key they are

  • 9 days ago

    Agreed to all. I could get used to them if they had better door handles, but apparently the handles cannot be changed because they have an old lock system. Maybe better paint too.

    Thanks, y'all.

  • 9 days ago

    Some, not all, door levers can be changed to different ones without affecting the mechanism. If you know the brand, there may be options to change them. Maybe you've already checked that.

  • 9 days ago

    Thanks. The ,ocks are subcontractor grade with no names. I took a photo of them in the door and took it to Rayburn Decorative Hardware and the manager said they would have to be replaced because they are off the market.