How Much Can You Typically Take Off The Bottom Of A Hollow Core Door?

Dustball

I'm going to need to take off approx 3" off the bottom of four hollow core doors due to a low ceiling height. How much solid material is typically in the bottom of HC doors?

Thanks,
Dustin

dougchips

About 1.25". You can cut them down and glue in a slug. If you are bored you can clean off the cut out section and glue it in. You will void your warranty either way. I have done this for over 10 years without any issues.

John S

I would say you can only take about one inch off, anything more and you definatlly have to replace the "inereds". I have just finished hanging 6 6-panel hollow cores, and each doorway a different height. Measured them one day, and came back to do the project 5 days later after I had cut all the doors at the shop, painted etc. And I didn't look good enough on the estimate, but the HO floors were far from level, (4 inchs out on some coming up from the doorways) So I had to re-cut, and re-hang them. (Only opened until they hit the un-even floor)


That was fun!
(Always learning)

Don't bother cleaning up the old core, just rip a new piece of wood to size. Little bit of glue 30 mins to set and done.

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John
www.ready4rent.ca

Murphy

Take off what ever you need just brace the bottom of the door the way it was before and you will be fine.

reveivl

My experience is the same as all the above, the only thing I'll add is that you might haveto dig out some weird cardboard/plastic baffles that are in there to get the new base in.

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From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

Chris G

Ditto all of the above. I will add that cutting the sides is a whole different ball game, and a losing one at that.

dougchips

Side note, you can special order them almost any width and height for around $66.00.

Dustball

Thanks for the info. I've cut HC doors before but it was 1/2-3/4" at the most, haven't done 3" before.