Plain Solid Core Door to Fabulous Door Makeover

In this instructable I will make a cheap/plain solid core door into a nice few hundred-dollar door. Check out my videos and youtube channel for more details on this instructable.

• Solid Core Door
• 1/8” Plywood
• 3/4” Plywood
• Small stock for the Trim
• Glass 15 ½” x 25 ½”
• 1 1/4" Screws
• Paint
• Paint Brush/Roller
• Router
• Jig Saw
• Shop Vac
• Drill
• 9/16 Spade bit
• Clamps
• Pocket Hole Jig
• Screws
• Glue
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Box Cutter
• Table Saw
• Brad Nailer
• Tape Measure
• Wood Putty
• 180 grit sand paper
• Silicone
• Caulking Gun

First cut the widths of the template with a table saw then use a chop saw to gut the lengths. Cut two 4 7/8” by 76” long pieces. Cut three 4 7/8” wide by 26” long pieces. Then cut two 2 3/4” wide by 42 1/2” long pieces.

Using a pocket hole jig, drill two holes in the end of all of the plywood “EXCEPT” the two longest lengths that will be used for the length of the door.

First layout the template. Make sure they are where you want them. After it is where you want them then screw them together using 1 1/4" screws

Place template onto door and clamp down on the door. Make sure clamps will not interfere with the router when you router out the door.

Using the 9/16” spade bit you will need to drill out a hole in the window on the opposite corners. Then using the jig saw rough-cut out the window approximately 1/4” to 3/8” away from the edge of your guide. Once you cut the window out use the router to clean up the edging by running the router along the edge of the template.

Cut a small 3/4" thick by 3” wide by 42” long piece of scrap wood to help support the router for when routering out the rectangles. Once the first side is done then flip the door and router out the second side including finishing the window.

The router rounds the corners so you will need to draw out the corners for a guide. Using a box cutter score the lines of the corner to allow for no chipping the thin top layer of the facing of the door. Next chisel out the corners. Now using a jig saw cut the corners of the window out with it.

Cut out 1/8” thick plywood to fit into the rectangles of the door. Next glue and clamp them down until the glue cures. If you don’t want to do this just skip to the next step.

Next you will need to cut out a trim that will be attached to the inner part of the rectangles. Using 3/4" thick wood cut out 3/8” strips of wood on the table saw. Next cut strips at a 45 degree angle.

Here you will cut trim to length and attach with wood glue and some brad nails.

Wood putty all brad nails then sand smooth.

The window trim will be thicker than the first trim to help hold the window in place. Cut window trim 3/4" by 3/4" thick. Then cut a 45 degree angle. Next glue and nail the trim onto one side of the window. Wood putty the nail holes, once the wood putty is dried then sand down the putty.

Paint the door the color of your dreams.

Cut out two window dividers that measure 3/4" thick by 1 1/2” wide. Next on both sides cut of a 45 degree angle like the other window trims. Once they are cut out then nail them on and leave an evenly spaced area. Next wood putty and sand the nail holes.

First you will need to attach one side of the window trim with brad nails to allow for the glass to rest on allowing for the second side to be attached. After attaching first side add a small bead of silicone around the inner edge of the trim that the glass will rest on to allow for a weatherproof seal. Next place the glass in with a small bead of silicone on the edge of the window to seal the other side. Lastly, attach the other side of the trim just like in Step 13. Then touch up the putty holes with paint.

Install old or new hardware including doorknob, weather stripping, and hinges.

Lastly, Re-Install the newly remodeled door and now you are done.