Michael Panis
04-25-2017, 8:41 PM
Hi Folks,
This is not a question about leaving a gap for panels on a frame and panel door.
I'm building pocket doors that will (hopefully) match the historic doors in my house. Rather than raised panels, the panels are flat and framed with molding. Pictures are below.
My question is whether I should be leaving a gap between the molding and the rails and stiles to allow for wood expansion. My plan has been to nail the moldings to the door frame (not the panels) and my inclination is NOT to leave any gap. My reasoning is that the tight structure of the door will not allow much expansion inward. I would expect the rails and stiles to expand out. The two lock rails and mullions might expand, but here I would expect them to push the middle of the molding, not the corners.
I would look at my existing historic door for guidance, but over the years previous owners have put enough finish on them that the moldings have become attached to the panels. As the panels moved with the seasons, so did the moldings.
Any thoughts?
---Mike
This is not a question about leaving a gap for panels on a frame and panel door.
I'm building pocket doors that will (hopefully) match the historic doors in my house. Rather than raised panels, the panels are flat and framed with molding. Pictures are below.
My question is whether I should be leaving a gap between the molding and the rails and stiles to allow for wood expansion. My plan has been to nail the moldings to the door frame (not the panels) and my inclination is NOT to leave any gap. My reasoning is that the tight structure of the door will not allow much expansion inward. I would expect the rails and stiles to expand out. The two lock rails and mullions might expand, but here I would expect them to push the middle of the molding, not the corners.
I would look at my existing historic door for guidance, but over the years previous owners have put enough finish on them that the moldings have become attached to the panels. As the panels moved with the seasons, so did the moldings.
Any thoughts?
---Mike