The Partridge That Came to Stay

I love my home’s back door. It is close to 200 years old, 2 inches thick, and made to last for centuries.  In the 1800s, it was my front door, but like many old homes, the property changed around it, and the back of the house became the front of the house.  While my existing front door is quite old, it is thinner, tends to leak air in winter, and needs new locks and jambs.  I decided to visit one of our favorite woodworkers, Rodger Manley, and talk to him about a new door.  Rodger has made many doors and windows for our clients, and it seems nothing too complicated for him to build from scratch.  He could create a new front door in his sleep.  By the way, the first thing I noticed when I entered his barn/workshop was the partridge walking around on the floor.  As I walked around looking at equipment and projects in progress, the bird started to follow me.  Rodger has a soft spot for animals, and when his sister told him she had a bird hanging around her home, we brought it home, and now it is the mascot of the woodshop.

Rodger’s Woodworking Shop

Rodger Manley

Rodger showed me how he builds the stiles of the door up with many layers of wood glued together and then applies a thick layer of wood over the built-up core.  This process ensures that the door will not twist or split during seasons when the temperature and humidity levels change drastically.

Stave Core Rail

Rodger will be building the door the old-fashioned way with mortise and tenon joints.

Tenon Knife

Door Being Built

Door Being Built

Rodger agreed to let me follow the progress of the door being built, so I will give updates as it progresses.

Photos by Jimmy Crisp              Curated Brochure by Crisp Architects: Portfolio

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