Is it possible to turn an interior door into an exterior door?

Exterior doors in my house are insulated, so no !

Not in Florida, Exterior doors have standards for wind resistance. I would assume where you live it would not pass permitting, but if you are just going to do it yourself for yourself I guess maybe you can do it. You need to put all of the proper things to keep the air and bugs out at the bottom of the door, and maybe some cushion (like insulation, I don’t know what it is called) around the door so it is sealed tight.

If your interior door is solid and not hollow it might be sufficient for keeping the cold and hot temps out. You can usually tell by how it sounds when you knock on it.

Also, consider that exterior doors might be treated wood to resist moisture? I guess you could seal the door with some sort of top coat though.

In addition to what people said above, I don’t think most cabinet doors are as thick as an exterior door wold be.

Maybe if you add a storm door in front of it, I love my storm door, but then if you are trying to save money that would be another expenditure.

I just wondered if we could somehow rebuild it with insulation and fortification.

@Dutchess_III There may be code requirements as to the width of an exterior door (for exiting safely). Your cabinet door is wide?

All things are possible but not equal in cost and labor. I would start in the construction office to find out what would be required to do it and the result be within the building code. I had to go through a lot to change my front door. I hated that it was a swing-out door which is for hurricane wind protection, but it is awkward and easy to break into. That project cost almost $3,000. All new construction in the state requires those awful doors, but you can get away with it when it is a “replacement.”

No. They are not built to withstand weather conditions. You would experience an issue with insulation, rain/snow UV protection. It will wear down significantly faster that one build for exterior applications.

@Dutchess_III I don’t know how handy Rick is with stuff like this, but if it were me I’d check with a contractor. It seems to me that it wouldn’t be a terribly expensive job.

I just wondered if we could somehow rebuild it with insulation and fortification

That makes me think of attaching it as a decorative face to an appropriate exterior door.

Replacement for my front door with two side lights is $2000 for just the door. Are there any reclamation centers in your area ? 40 years ago we replaced all the windows and doors on a shack in my mom and dad’s front yard (original “fish shack” on property) for $250 – - two doors and 5 windows

^^I think she can get a door much cheaper, especially if it doesn’t have sidelights. Probably less than $600 installed.

Exterior doors, ideally, are very strong. If it’s an access point, it’s a weakness.

@Call_Me_Jay may have a good idea. If that could be arranged, you’d have it both ways.

I’ve hung doors many times, and it’s not as easy as it sounds. As far as it functioning well, and shutting tight. Screen/storm doors, could add complications.

Hey Dutch. If you’re already hanging a door, make sure to check the doorframe. If the wood it damp, or rotten anywhere you can replace that while you’re at it.

If you intend to paint the door, paint everything but the edges while the door is not on hinges and therefore easier to handle. You’ll maybe scratch the paint installing it, so paint your edges and apply touch ups when the door is considered done.

Goodluck. Doors can make a huge difference in what a place looks like. Like rims on a car.
I hope it works out like you want.

@jca2….I’ll get a picture for you…and everyone.
We don’t even have the doorway cut in! I actually have an exterior door for when we do cut the doorway., I just want to use the cabinet facade so bad because it’s so cool….
You guys are so awesome. I’ll post more tomorrow.

You know…I can always install my exterior door then hang the facade over it separately! Just have to open 2 doors to get out. :D

Here are the cabinet doors. They’re lying on their side. Had to spin the picture around.

I originally wanted to put them up as a door here to the entrance to the utility room. It would just look like a continuation of the rest of the kitchen cabinets, like a pantry or something, which is what they originally were. But then you open it and surprise! A whole secret room, like in a castle!
But that didn’t work due to space restraints.
So back door, at the back of the utility room is plan B. Same secret idea!

I like the secret door idea, leading into Narnia

YES! Assuming Narnia was a utility room.

Yes, but interior doors are not usually insulated. It might work on a shed door that isn’t for too much security…

As I said I actually have an exterior door. I’d just put my faux pantry doors up over it.

The doorknob and deadbolt maybe problematic, with multiple layers. Both are made for standard thickness doors.

Those will go on the bonefide exterior door @Tropical_Willie.