I Love You .... Door! That's right, I said it.
My wife doesn't really like it though so I decided to get her a new one as a gift for Christmas. It's a builder grade door and in almost all respects unremarkable. Since, we really hadn't looked for doors before the holidays the new one wasn't really something I could run down and get for her. To pick the right one would take some time, and once chosen, some cutting, fitting and finishing to make it just right.
So, last week we drove into Austin and after a pleasantly short search we found the one she wanted. After another pleasantly short negotiation process it was ours! It's a mahogany, Craftsman style door with a window in the top third.
To make the new one fit into our current door frame I decided it would be easiest to remove the old door and take it down to the door store. When they do all the cutting and fitting I figured they could match all of the holes for the knobs and more precisely mortise for the hinges if they had the original. So I was tasked last evening with fitting a surrogate while the current front door was being used to make its self obsolete. Kinda like training your replacement.... When you don't want to be replaced.
I am in the process of building a playhouse/workshop in our backyard and was lucky enough to have a door out there that would fit in the front door frame without too much headache! So, I had to make the swap last night because the new door will be sized and cut today.
I gathered my tools and began my work. My wife and I agreed that I would work on the door while she bathed and dressed the kids for bed. The cold front was blowing in and we didn't want to be working late into the night with no front door. As I was working I began to think about all of the great memories that occurred at the very spot I was working.
Each evening when I walked through that door I could count on the joyful squeals of two little ones running to that door shouting "Daddy"! Our son received his first "package in the mail" from the delivery driver at that door. Our daughter took her first steps through that door. This was the first home that my wife and I have purchased together and I can remember the excitement we had as we all walked together through it for the first time. Each time one of us has to go somewhere we always walked them to that door as a family to say goodbye. Even last night, after their baths they came rushing to that door to see what I was doing - naked, of course, and shortly thereafter - freezing!
As a home inspector I cross many thresholds and open lots of doors. Last night, while removing our old door I had a rush of memories wash over me. It made me realize that my work is very personal. As I do my small part in the home buying and selling process I sometimes forget all of the personal memories that the people involved have experienced. Going forward I am going to try and be just a little more reverent as I do my work. After all, it is into someone's hallowed grounds that I have been invited to enter. A little reverence and respect for their memories is not too much to give.
The old front door, I decided, will take the place of the one that will occupy its spot for this day. Its new home will be the entrance to my workspace at the back of the kid's playhouse. Shedding a little light and holding a lot of memories for many years to come.
Andy Chaudoir - Professional Inspection Services - 512-632-3232
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas
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