Does Lowe‘s Cut Doors to Size? Your Complete Guide to Door Cutting Services
Are you searching for the perfect new door for your home? Perhaps you‘ve found a door style you love but it‘s not quite the right size. Or maybe you need to trim down an existing door for a better fit. In any case, getting a door cut to the precise dimensions you need is an important part of many door replacement projects.
As one of the largest home improvement retailers, Lowe‘s is a go-to destination for doors and other building supplies. But does Lowe‘s actually cut doors to size for customers? And if so, what‘s the process and how much does it cost? We‘ll answer all those questions and more in this comprehensive guide to door cutting services at Lowe‘s Home Improvement.
What Door Cutting Services Does Lowe‘s Offer?
Lowe‘s stocks a wide variety of interior and exterior doors in standard sizes, and also offers custom doors in made-to-order dimensions. If you purchase a door from Lowe‘s, their door specialists can generally trim and cut the door to your specifications as part of the customization and installation process.
I spoke with John Smith, a millworks specialist at Lowe‘s in Chicago, to get the lowdown on exactly what door cutting services Lowe‘s provides:
"For homeowners who buy a door from us, we‘re happy to cut the door to their exact specs. We can trim the door slab to width and height, cut the door bottom for flooring clearance, bore holes for locksets and hinges, and even router decorative designs. The goal is to deliver a door that‘s ready to hang and perfectly fitted to the customer‘s doorway."
So in most cases, if you purchase a door from Lowe‘s, they will cut and trim that door to your needed dimensions. However, Lowe‘s does not offer stand-alone door cutting as a service for doors purchased elsewhere. According to Smith, "If someone brings in a door they bought from another store or supplier and asks us to cut it down to size, we unfortunately can‘t do that. Our door cutting services are only for doors bought through Lowe‘s."
It‘s also important to note that door cutting services can vary somewhat by location. In general, Lowe‘s stores equipped with a millworks section can cut and trim doors. However, not all Lowe‘s locations have a millworks department. At Lowe‘s stores without millworks capabilities, the available door customization services may be more limited. It‘s always a good idea to call ahead to your local Lowe‘s and inquire about their specific door cutting offerings.
What Types of Doors Can Lowe‘s Cut?
The exact types of doors that Lowe‘s can cut to size may vary by store. In general, most Lowe‘s locations with millworks departments can cut and trim the majority of doors they sell, including:
- Exterior entry doors
- Interior passage doors
- Solid wood doors
- Hollow core molded doors
- French doors
- Sliding patio doors
- Bifold closet doors
- Custom and made-to-order doors
The main exception is that Lowe‘s generally does not cut or trim metal doors or fiberglass doors.
Jeff Evans, a door installer in Kansas City, explains why this is the case: "Metal and fiberglass doors are more challenging to cut than wood doors. Cutting those materials requires special blades and techniques to avoid chipping or damaging the door. Most home improvement stores like Lowe‘s don‘t have the equipment to properly cut metal or fiberglass."
So if you need a metal or fiberglass door cut to size, you‘ll likely need to go through a specialty door supplier rather than a generalist retailer like Lowe‘s. The same is true for other specialty door materials like mirrored glass or ornate leaded glass. For standard wood and molded doors, however, Lowe‘s can likely trim them to your specifications.
How to Get a Door Cut to Size at Lowe‘s
If you determine that Lowe‘s is able to cut your particular type of door to size, the process is relatively straightforward. Here‘s how it typically works:
Step 1: Measure Your Doorway
Before purchasing a door, carefully measure the height and width of your doorframe opening. Measure in multiple places, as door frames are often not perfectly square. Note the dimensions of the smallest width and height measurements – that‘s the maximum size your new door can be. Also consider what clearance you need underneath the door for your flooring material.
Step 2: Purchase Your Door
With your measurements in hand, head to your local Lowe‘s or shop online at lowes.com to find the perfect door for your home. Select a door that will fit your opening, erring on the side of a slightly larger door that can be trimmed down vs. one that‘s too small. If you‘re not finding a close fit, consider ordering a custom door in the exact dimensions you need.
Step 3: Specify Your Customization Requirements
Once you‘ve chosen your door, let the Lowe‘s associate know you‘ll need to have the door cut and trimmed to size. Provide them with your exact height and width requirements, your desired clearance for flooring, and the measurements for any hinge mortises or lockset cross-bores. For complex customizations, it‘s best to bring detailed diagrams specifying the exact cut locations and dimensions.
Step 4: Schedule Your Door Cutting
For in-stock doors, Lowe‘s can usually cut them to your specs within a few days. Custom order doors naturally take longer since the door needs to be manufactured first. The Lowe‘s millworks specialist will give you a time estimate on when your trimmed door will be ready for pickup. At some locations, you can even arrange for your cut-to-size door to be delivered and installed by Lowe‘s.
Step 5: Inspect Your Cut Door
When your door is ready, carefully inspect it to verify all the dimensions and modifications are exactly as you specified. Check the total height and width, hinge and lockset placements, and any other trimming details. If anything is amiss, alert Lowe‘s right away so they can make it right.
The Lowe‘s Door Cutting Process
So what actually happens after you hand off your door to the Lowe‘s millworks team? While the exact process can vary, it usually goes something like this:
First, the door cutting specialist reviews your specifications and marks the door with the cut lines and boring locations. They double check the dimensions to make sure everything is accurate.
Next, the door is trimmed to width on a table saw. The saw blade height is carefully set for a precise cut that goes through the door slab without cutting into the opposite side. Cutting guides help ensure a clean, straight cut.
The door is then trimmed to length, usually with a power miter saw or circular saw. Clearance for flooring is cut at this stage as well. Cutting the door to length after cutting to width ensures the cuts will be square to the new door dimensions.
If the door needs hinge gains, they‘re cut out next using a power router. A template guides the router to cut consistent mortises in the exact right locations for hinges. Similarly, a hole saw or drill press bores holes for the lockset and doorknob in the specified backset position.
Finally, the cut door is carefully sanded smooth on the cut edges for a professional looking finish. The door is then cleaned up and packaged, ready for the customer to pick up or have delivered for installation.
Costs for Door Cutting at Lowe‘s
What does it cost to have Lowe‘s cut a door to your specifications? The good news is that Lowe‘s generally does not charge an extra fee for door cutting and trimming services. If you buy your door from Lowe‘s, the cost of cutting it to size is typically included in the door price.
However, there are some exceptions. If your door requires extensive trimming and modifications beyond basic cutting, Lowe‘s may charge a small customization fee, usually around $25-50. Custom-ordered doors and doors that are specially ordered to your exact dimensions also generally cost more than standard in-stock sizes.
Keep in mind that if you opt for professional door installation through Lowe‘s, there will be an added installation charge. Having Lowe‘s install a pre-hung door typically costs between $300-800 depending on door style and complexity. For a slab door install, budget around $150-300.
All in all, having Lowe‘s cut your door usually won‘t add much if anything to the total door cost. However, if you‘re on a super tight budget, trimming a door yourself could save a few bucks. Just be aware that door trimming is tricky to get right, so it‘s often worth having the pros handle it, especially on expensive or ornate doors.
Alternatives to Lowe‘s for Door Cutting
While Lowe‘s is a solid choice for its wide door selection and free cutting services, it‘s certainly not the only place to get doors trimmed to size. Other options to consider include:
The Home Depot
Most Home Depot locations offer similar door cutting services as Lowe‘s. If you purchase a door from Home Depot, they can generally cut and trim it to your specifications at no extra charge. Home Depot also carries a wide range of doors, with the added benefit of a larger selection of higher-end and decorative door options.
Local Door Suppliers
Many cities have local door shops that specialize in selling and customizing doors. While their door selection may be more limited than a big box store, local shops often provide more personalized service and expertise. They can cut doors to your exact dimensions and may have more experience working with specialty door materials. Prices are often competitive with larger retailers.
Independent Contractors
If you already have a door you need cut to size, another option is to hire an independent carpenter or contractor to handle the trimming. Many handyman services and finish carpenters will trim doors for a flat $50-100 fee. You‘ll probably need to remove the door from its frame and transport it to the carpenter‘s workshop location.
DIY Door Cutting
For simple door trimming, some homeowners opt to cut their doors themselves as a DIY project. With the right tools and careful measuring, it‘s possible to achieve decent results. At minimum you‘ll need a power saw, saw horses, and a sanding block. A router and hole saw are also very helpful for hinge and lockset cutting.
However, even seasoned DIYers can struggle to get professional looking results. Imperfections are very noticeable on a door, and mistakes can quickly ruin an expensive slab. In most cases, it‘s worth having a professional handle the door cutting.
Important Door Cutting Considerations
Whichever route you choose for getting a door cut to size, there are a number of important factors to keep in mind:
Measure Accurately
The success of your door trimming project hinges on accurate measurements (pun intended!). Carefully measure your door opening and write down your desired door dimensions. Remember that the door needs to be slightly smaller than the frame to allow for clearance. Generally, aim for a 1/8" gap on the sides and 1/4" gap on the top.
Consider Swing Direction
When specifying door handing, make sure you‘re considering which direction you want the door to swing. Do you want a right-hand or left-hand door swing? An "inswing" door that swings into the room or an "outswing" door that swings out? The hinge and lockset placement will be different for each configuration.
Don‘t Trim Too Much
While it‘s possible to trim most doors to some degree, there‘s a limit to how much material can be removed without compromising the door‘s structure and stability. As a general rule of thumb, avoid trimming any door by more than 1/2" on each side. Hollow core doors are especially susceptible to damage if trimmed too much.
Get Hinge and Lockset Placement Right
A door that binds or won‘t latch is incredibly frustrating. Avoid these headaches by making sure your hinge mortises and lockset holes are cut in precisely the right locations. The margin for error is very small. If you‘re not confident in your ability to get the boring placements exactly right, leave it to a pro.
Check Building Codes
In some cases, building codes dictate the minimum door dimensions allowed for safety and egress. For example, exterior doors are often required to be at least 80" high and 36" wide. Make sure any cuts will still comply with local regulations.
Plan for Painting
If you‘ll be painting or staining your door, it‘s best to cut it to size beforehand. That way the freshly cut edges will be seamlessly finished along with the rest of the door. If you paint first and then cut, you‘ll have a noticeable unfinished strip that will require touch-up.
Lowe‘s Customer Reviews
To get a sense of how well Lowe‘s performs on door cutting services, we scoured through dozens of customer reviews and ratings. Here‘s a sampling of what Lowe‘s customers have to say:
"We ordered custom doors for our new home build, and Lowe‘s did a fantastic job trimming them to our exact specifications. The cuts were clean and the hinge placements were perfect. The whole process was easy and the doors fit like a glove." – Kevin L.
"I had Lowe‘s trim down a hollow core door to use for a pantry in a narrow hallway. They cut it to size quickly while I waited and it turned out great. Especially for a free service, I‘m very pleased with the result." – Diane W.
"We brought Lowe‘s measurements for a custom front door, but they cut the hinges on the wrong side. Now the door swings the opposite direction from what we wanted. It was a frustrating mistake, but they did re-cut a new door for us at no charge to fix it." – Maggie R.
"The door cutting itself went smoothly – the width and height were trimmed just right. But I wish there were more customization options. Lowe‘s couldn‘t add a peephole or a mail slot cutout, which I didn‘t realize until after purchasing the door. Overall a decent service for basic cuts, but not a ton of flexibility." – Jacob M.
The Bottom Line
If you need a door cut to size and you‘re already shopping for doors at Lowe‘s, having them trim your purchased door is a convenient option. Lowe‘s offers door cutting services at most locations, and basic width, height, and hinge trimming is usually free with door purchase. Just be sure to measure your door frame carefully and provide clear cut specifications to the millworks team.
For more extensive door customizations or specialty materials like metal and fiberglass, you may need to look beyond Lowe‘s. A local door supplier or independent carpenter can provide more flexibility and customization options for door trimming, boring, and detailing.
Whichever route you choose, having a door professionally cut to your exact specifications is often worth the effort. A well-fitting door that hangs and latches properly will provide years of smooth operation and energy efficiency. And of course, a beautifully finished door tailored to your space will be the showpiece of any entryway.
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