Doors in Agua Fria
Hanging a new door in an old Agua Fria wall
Doorways in long-standing adobe homes are rarely square, rarely level and often set into walls more than a foot thick. A new door can absolutely go in, but it has to be built and fitted for the opening that's really there, not the one on a drawing.
What makes adobe doorways different
Out of square
We measure all four corners and both diagonals, then decide whether to shim, scribe or size the frame to suit.
Deep walls
Jamb extensions fill the extra wall depth inside so the door looks built in, not set into a hole.
Floors that slope
Older floors often settle unevenly. The threshold is set to seal at the low point without the door dragging at the high one.
Doors we fit here
- Solid wood or wood-look fiberglass front doors
- Doors with a small lite or speakeasy, in keeping with older homes
- French doors from a kitchen or sala out to the yard
- Patio sliders for newer rooms and additions
- Back and side doors with secure, modern locks
Keeping water out at the bottom
Older thresholds were often set straight onto the floor with little protection underneath. On low ground near the river, that can mean moisture at the base of the opening. Every door we install sits on a sloped, sealed sill pan, and the outside grade is checked so water runs away from the door.
Agua Fria door questions
Can you keep our old carved door and just fix the frame?
Often, yes. If the door itself is sound, we can rebuild or replace the frame, rehang the door and add weatherstripping. We'll tell you honestly if the door is too far gone.
Will a standard-size door fit our adobe doorway?
Sometimes, with careful shimming and trim. If the opening is unusually sized or badly out of square, a custom door and frame gives a much better result.
Do you finish the plaster around a new door?
Yes. We patch and finish the plaster returns around the new frame so the opening looks complete, inside and out.
More services in Agua Fria
Entry, Patio & French Doors nearby
A door that closes square, on a wall that isn't.
We'll measure your Agua Fria doorway properly and quote a door built to fit it.