By Angela Glancy
Six-panel doors are more expensive than plain doors, but they add a great deal of elegance to a home. Both exterior and interior doors are made in six-panel styles. You can mimic the elegance and beauty of a six-panel door to a flat faced door with molding and paint for just a fraction of the price of a new six-panel door.
Plan your Design
Look at a six-panel door to get an idea of how the panels are set up: A typical configuration is two vertical columns of panels, with a smaller square at the top of each column followed by two vertically rectangular panels arranged below it, one on top of the other. While you certainly can configure panels any way that wish, to recreate the look of a traditional six-panel door, you will achieve a more realistic facsimile following the traditional panel arrangement. Draw your design on the door and measure the length of the outline of each panel; this will help you determine how much molding you will need. Consider the size of your panels and choose a molding with a width to complement that scale.
Cut & Paint Wood Molding
Purchase the amount of needed molding from a hardware or home improvement store and then cut the strips to the needed sizes to create the pattern you’ve designed; for example, you will need 24 strips of molding for six panels, at 4 strips per panel. You will need a hand saw and miter box to create 45 degree angles for each ‘panel’. Take careful measurements and make precise cuts so that the angles fit tight and snug. If you are matching the molding to existing paint or stain, paint it before attaching the molding to the door, then touch up nail holes. If you are giving the door a fresh coat of paint in a new color, you can paint the molding after it is attached along with the remainder of the door.
How to Attach the Molding
Once the molding is cut to size and painted or stained as needed, lay the molding strips on the door in place and make sure they fit correctly. Use wood glue to attach the strips to the door, using a level to keep the strips straight and even. Follow up by securing the molding with a nail gun and small finish nails. A touch-up stick or wood putty can be used to fill the small nail holes; let the putty dry, sand lightly and then touch up with paint or stain.
Other Creative Ideas with Paint
You can give your door more depth and interest by using two colors of paint: Use one color for the molding and the area inside the square and another color for the remainder of the door. Two colors that are similar in tone will create a subtle look, while more contrast can add drama and personality. You’ll find it easier to paint the area inside the molding before attaching the molding to the door: Just tape the area off with blue painter’s tape and paint inside the lines. Let dry, remove the tape and add the painted molding.
Another option is to completely skip the molding and create a six-paneled door with paint alone. Select your colors and use blue painter’s tape to create and paint your design.
About the Author: Angela Glancy, is a freelance artist and consultant with AmericanArtisanArt.com. She enjoys sharing her creative approach to
abstract wall hangings
and
flower artwork decorations
.
Source:
isnare.com
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