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April 5, 2011 1:17 PM Subscribe
Where can we purchase a solid wood vintage door (circa 1920s) in Los Angeles?
So, the BF and I found the perfect apartment. The only problem is the back door...it isn't secure AT ALL. I've read plenty of posts on here about burglar-proofing apartments, which have actually made me more concerned about this situation.
The current door has a glass pane that isn't very stable. It is old and not well-maintained. There are bars over the window, but it's easy to break the glass and reach in to unlock the deadbolts. The landlord offered to replace the bars over the window with a grate, but that might only solve part of the problem. His argument is that there are two deadbolts, but one is so loose, you could easily punch it out! To make matters worse, I could probably kick this door in with a few good kicks (and I'm a wimp).
I get it, the landlord wishes to keep the 1920s aesthetic to our building, but this door is a total piece of crap. We would prefer to have a solid door and would like to replace it altogether. Is there anywhere we can find a door to fit our needs in Los Angeles?
Sorry to sound so paranoid. Our neighborhood is fairly safe, but burglary and property theft is quite common. Since there is no fence around the building, we'd like to make this more challenging for those darned burglars. Hey, we like our stuff!
So, the BF and I found the perfect apartment. The only problem is the back door...it isn't secure AT ALL. I've read plenty of posts on here about burglar-proofing apartments, which have actually made me more concerned about this situation.
The current door has a glass pane that isn't very stable. It is old and not well-maintained. There are bars over the window, but it's easy to break the glass and reach in to unlock the deadbolts. The landlord offered to replace the bars over the window with a grate, but that might only solve part of the problem. His argument is that there are two deadbolts, but one is so loose, you could easily punch it out! To make matters worse, I could probably kick this door in with a few good kicks (and I'm a wimp).
I get it, the landlord wishes to keep the 1920s aesthetic to our building, but this door is a total piece of crap. We would prefer to have a solid door and would like to replace it altogether. Is there anywhere we can find a door to fit our needs in Los Angeles?
Sorry to sound so paranoid. Our neighborhood is fairly safe, but burglary and property theft is quite common. Since there is no fence around the building, we'd like to make this more challenging for those darned burglars. Hey, we like our stuff!
I think the search phrase you want is "architectural salvage." This place might be able to help you out.
posted by exogenous at 2:05 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by exogenous at 2:05 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
You might also want to check out Southern California Architectural Salvage (fka Santa Fe Wrecking).
posted by mogget at 2:21 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by mogget at 2:21 PM on April 5, 2011
There's a place downtown - goode olde things. I know they have architectural salvage there.
posted by rileyray3000 at 2:30 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by rileyray3000 at 2:30 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
You can find vintage doors at either the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena or the Long Beach Antique Market at Veteran's Stadium.
posted by tinamonster at 2:35 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by tinamonster at 2:35 PM on April 5, 2011
I live in LA and used to work on architecturally significant apartment buildings. Came in to suggest Silverlake Architectural Salvage and Antiques.
- Try these self-installed door alarms. They are cheap and magic!
- FWIW, folks don't usually "smash" in apartment doors either front or back in LA. Makes too much noise! (I've lived and worked all over LA. Break-ins? Sure. By busting in a door in an apartment bldg? Not so much.)
- If you have insecure windows that's an issue. It's also easier to pick locks than you think.
CONCLUSIONS:
- Get the door fixed or replaced because it is nice for the building and for your personal space to have things nice and in working order.
- Go with the door alarms for your safety:)
- The same company makes a similar system for windows. Buy it together cheaper as a set.
posted by jbenben at 2:45 PM on April 5, 2011
- Try these self-installed door alarms. They are cheap and magic!
- FWIW, folks don't usually "smash" in apartment doors either front or back in LA. Makes too much noise! (I've lived and worked all over LA. Break-ins? Sure. By busting in a door in an apartment bldg? Not so much.)
- If you have insecure windows that's an issue. It's also easier to pick locks than you think.
CONCLUSIONS:
- Get the door fixed or replaced because it is nice for the building and for your personal space to have things nice and in working order.
- Go with the door alarms for your safety:)
- The same company makes a similar system for windows. Buy it together cheaper as a set.
posted by jbenben at 2:45 PM on April 5, 2011
Best answer: Just 2nding that anything that you can do short of changing the door will save you the time over refitting a salvaged one. I consider myself pretty handy but found it's a lot of finnicky work. Your landlord probably doesn't want you chopping away at the doorframe, so you'll probably need to cut or plane the salvaged door to the right size, move the hinges, chop out some space to reposition the lock, patch up the hole where the knob used to be....
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:23 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:23 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
There might be a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area; they get donations, sell them to benefit Habitat. I've gotten some good stuff three.
posted by theora55 at 3:59 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by theora55 at 3:59 PM on April 5, 2011
Response by poster: Landlord replied that "replacing the door is not an option", so we're just going to have to get creative. That door alarm might help a bit.
posted by pea_shoot at 4:23 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by pea_shoot at 4:23 PM on April 5, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:33 PM on April 5, 2011 [1 favorite]