4 Entryway Reconfiguration, Part 1: Doorway Removal

This series of home posts are events which occurred in the distant past, please bear with me until I catch up to the present.

Wow, time flies! The last time I mentioned anything about the entryway was at the end of May (wasn’t that just yesterday?!) Anyway, let’s get this show on the road and tackle some reconfiguration, doorways to be exact.

As you may have read from our kitchen post or the entry way plan, our first to-do was to remove the door sectioning off the kitchen from the entryway. This would help the open feel we were going for. We decided on a frameless door frame so we didn’t have to salvage and fill the hinge holes or purchase new framing material (besides corner bead which we’ll get into later).

We didn’t capture the photographic process, but if you never pulled this prank on your brother or sister or college roommate, start by removing the pins from their hinges. I usually pry each pin about 1/4 way just to ‘start them’ first. Then, carefully lift the door and sometimes gently shake (especially when the hinges were painted). Sometimes you need to grab a friend who is taller and preferably has The Hulk style muscles to really pry it from the hinge. You know, if the door is super fireproof or a bank vault-like door.

Next, remove the trim and door frame by using a pry bar. Be sure to use the appropriate ‘force’ to avoid having to repair drywall.

Progress

In our case, the doorway was just too small. When we were moving in we had to bring everything through the front door simply because none of our boxes or furniture fit.

That small section next to the fridge was the side we used to widen the doorway. We also had to re-route the electrical from practically behind the fridge to the other side of the wall. It’s actually more convenient for us when we bring in things like groceries from outside as opposed to darkness until we turn the corner.

Measure and make a mark where you will be making the cut.

Score the line with a utility knife and remove the drywall.

When it comes to electrical I run like the wind because it’s very intimidating. So I’ll skip over those details and show you the end result:

We also decided to remove the ‘header’ portion of the door frame to open space even further. Having an opening go all the way to the ceiling makes it easier to carry in things like Andre the Giant's cardboard cutout or something.

Source

Again no photographic evidence, using a Sawzall, carefully trim away the header until it’s flush with the wall. Just like cutting anything else, take your time because it’s a lot harder to ‘put it back’ then it is to trim just a little more.

Once we were done cutting, there was a substantial gap between the ceiling/floor joist and the ceiling, so the beau filled in the hole with some scrap drywall.

Psst, that blob is drywall compound because the beau works so fast.

He then piled on the drywall compound:

Don’t worry, after another application and some sanding it totally looks legit.

It was a little tricky because the ceilings were not the exact same height, so he formed the compound into a slight angle. In between coats, he lightly sanded then reapplied. It took about 2-3 thick coats. Please keep in mind, this area is temporary, we have big plans to renovate our kitchen/entryway someday.

Since the door frame was completely removed we had to patch all the areas which were now uncovered.

Source

We picked up some inexpensive corner bead and patched together more spare drywall pieces to finish off the corners. Tip: when patching in drywall, make sure to feather out the drywall compound for a nice and easy transition. (I have a lot more tips here).

Since anything zoomed out further would spoil all the surprises in store, it’s a good place to leave off until next time where we’ll go over some more configuration like storage!

Did you watch Wrestle Mania with Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant? Who was your favorite? Do you have go-to friends who have giant muscles to help a damsel in distress?

Want to follow along with the Entryway progression? Here’s the Intro/Plan.

P.S. We were not paid or perked from any of these vendors; we just happily picked up the supplies necessary for the job.