Custom wood doors

[upeCity]

Can someone fill me in on a local source for custom wood doors? I saw a wood trim guy site build some. I was curious if this was cost effective (build vs buy).

Thanks

[DavidCMurray]

Like windows, doors here are typically all custom-made because openings are not standard. Even if your architect specifies the dimensions of an opening, the door or window must fit what the builder actually builds. The two are not necessarily the same.

Door makers are typically smalltime operators and scattered about, so when you ask for a local reference, it’s important to know where you’re located. You can find pre-made doors at ferreterias, EPA, etc, but most are custom-made.

[upeCity]

Thanks, David… That makes sense. The greater Grecia area would be ideal…

[DavidCMurray]

Uh-huh . . . hmmmm . . .

Well, as fate would have it, I’m trying to chase down a guy whom my architect thinks makes the best doors around, and we’re located just outside Grecia. Waldemar’s been here to measure but we’ve heard nothing since except that he injured himself a while back on one of his tools. Just this morning, I asked our architect to track him down for us.

You can e-mail me at daveandmarcia@racsa.co.cr or call 444-1782.

[tomasino]

I have built condos and homes and remodeled existing housing in Costa Rica since 1992. In the course of conducting my construction business I have purchased and installed hundreds of doors. Rarely are the rough openings perfect and the standard solution is to correct the differences by planing down the wood jamb lumber and the sides of the doors if needed. It is important to order and receive properly dried rough lumber and doors in order to complete a presentable installation. Many lumber suppliers and door fabricators here are under the gun and don’t have sufficient properly dried lumber. Therefore after the wood trim has been installed in your project for a couple of months you begin to see movement in the door panels and other finish carpentry installations. Unless my client is looking for expensive custom doors in excess of $200 per unit, I can usually satisfy their needs with the selection at El Lagar. They have quality Cedro, 6 panel at $165 and Laurel at $100 and the rough lumber for the jambs is in inventory. The El Lagar Building Supply Outlets in the last year have offered me the best prices and they have many locations throughout Costa Rica. I recommend this company as they stand behind what they sell and they are happy to take returns and refund the money for unused materials. I have a list of all their locations if needed.

[diego]

Excellent post – please supply the list. BTW loved your web site!

[tomasino]

The El Lagar Building Supply Outlets in the last year have offered me the best prices and they have many locations throughout Costa Rica. I recommend this company as they stand behind what they sell and they are happy to take returns and refund the money for unused materials.

1- Lagar Desamparados tel. 217-9400

2- Detalles y Acabados Villarreal tel. 271-9552

3- Lagar el Cruce tel. 219-1111

4-Lagar San Francisco de dos rios tel. 226-1111

5-Lagar Moravia tel. 245-6959

6- Lagar el labrador san isidro de Heredia tel. 268-8382

7-Lagar Heredia tel. 441-1818

8- Lagar San Antonio de Belén tel. 293-2626

9- Lagar Pozos de Santa Ana tel. 282-8686

10- Lagar Santa Ana tel. 282-4451

11- Lagar Orotina tel. 428-9000

12- Lagar Barranca tel.663-7898

13- Lagar Jaco tel.643-3054

14- Lagar Liberia, tel.667-0667. 6kms south of the Liberia Airport on the main road to Santa Cruz.

NOTE FROM SCOTT: We will announce a new article about Tom’s homebuilding experience in tomorrow’s newsletter but you can see it at:

[upeCity]

Thanks, Tomasino….
Great info, I’ll put it to good use…

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