One thing we want to do while building this house, is use what we have, when we can, and refurbish great finds (or great deals) as much as we can. It is about saving money, but it is also a fun challenge. Sometimes it even turns out to be better than buying something new and ready made. We found that exterior doors are expensive, and the nicer the door, the higher the price. We had already made the interior door for the container, so we decided to try an exterior door for the cabin. It turned out better than I ever imagined it would, and we are extremely proud of it.

A few pieces of wood were somehow salvaged from the fire of the original house, and we found them in stacked in the shed. They are tongue and groove oak boards and although the bottom of each board was burned, there was enough length for a door.

We are not sure how they were used in the house, because there is a deep “v” groove formed when fitted together. We are supposing that wouldn’t do for flooring, which is what we originally assumed it was. It made a beautiful door exterior, with a wonderfully aged appearance. The inside of the door is sweet gum that we cut off the property and the hinges are inexpensive gate hinges that we distressed, painted black, and attached with carriage bolts.

We are hoping to find a thumb latch to use instead of a knob, but so far we’ve only found very cost-prohibitive new ones. After staining it a chocolate brown, we declared it to be at least a $600 door because of the man hours and how nice it turned out.