DIY Network

I'm trying to replace an oversized oak front screen door. I've got the basic dimensions of what I'm trying to make, however a little guidance would always be appreciated.
The door has to be a minimum of 5/4 (1 3/8 is OK also). The opening is 42 1/4 X 84. The desired look is to have two 5 1/2" vertical stiles, a 5 1/2" upper rail, and an 11" lower rail, with no other center stiles or rails.
I'd like to find plans (either on another website, or from a reader) for the assembly of this door. BTW, screen will be aluminum and fixed (no glass option). Screen will be held in by opposing 3/4" quarter rounds.
I know it seems like I've got all of the info that I'll need, but it's the construction part that I'm not sure of, ie, mortise and tenons, dowels, butt joints, or what?

I would post this on the woodworking board.
Monica

I hope you plan on making it out of white oak and not red oak. Red oak soaks up water and will rot if installed outside.
Cypress would be a better choise of wood for this one.
Look for a real lumber yard (all Lowes and HD are going to have is red oak) to get the lumber and have them plane all the wood to the same thickness for you. That way there's less waist because of snipping on the ends of short pieces of wood.
Go with deep motise and tenions. Because the doors going to want to curl up where the rails and styles meet.
Use at least 3 hindges.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joecaption,

Thanks for both responses. As for the mortise and tenon joints, should the mortises be fully though the stiles, or just 1/2 way or so with dowels (or no dowels)?

All the way through would give you the most strength. I'm not sure why you would think dowels would even be needed anywhere on this job.