Say Goodbye To That Builder-Grade Door Look With A Stunning DIY Project

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Have you just moved into a new home and you fiercely dislike the interior doors? Builder-grade doors are common in mass-produced new build homes, which means you get the cheapest and lowest quality building products. You may love the thought of replacing them with better quality, more aesthetically pleasing doors; however, buying and installing them can be extremely expensive. But, did you know that there is a way to upgrade your regular builder-grade door to a custom-made one?

It may take some time and patience, but you can DIY your own wood door with glass panels. Here is what you're going to need: a jigsaw, fine timber, a sander, wood beading, brad nails, a hammer, toughened glass that has been professionally cut to size, clear silicone, double-sided tape, and paint of your choice. In terms of sourcing your toughened glass, you can purchase glass panels from a local home improvement store or order custom-sized internal-grade glass from a glazing manufacturer. The timber and beading will also need to be cut to fit the inner frame of your door. 

Begin by cutting out the center panel of your door with a jigsaw, leaving about a 4 to 5-inch border that will frame the glass. Reinforce each inner side of the door with fine timber, and lightly sand for a smooth finish. Next, nail the beading on top of the timber, and it's time to paint your door. If you want to achieve an industrial look, black is the way to go. However, if you feel like black is too contrasting, paint your door white or beige for a lighter and brighter feel. 

Once the paint is fully dry, install the glass. Place the panel so it sits on top of the beading, apply clear silicone around the edges to keep it in place, and then attach secondary beading around the edge to secure it. To customize the look of the glass, add more beading or trim in whatever design you choose, from horizontal glazing bars to a grid pattern that mimics a French door. Use the double-sided tape to stick it in place, and be sure to replicate the beading on both sides of the glass. As a finishing touch, swap out the basic handle for a more stylish one or spray paint the original handle a different color.

If your interior door leads to a room that you don't want full view of, like a bedroom or a home office, add privacy with a window film. There are countless options, from a subtle Dwersty frosted glass film to a colorful Rabbitgoo stained glass window film. For a modern look, a reeded window film applied to your new glass panel will avoid you having to invest in actual reeded glass, which can be far more costly.