Which to change first - carpet or internal doors?

[mashpot]

Hello,
I need to replace the doors and carpet in my flat as the next phase of its renovation, which should I do first? I always think new carpets should come last but the doors will have to be cut according to thickness of carpet I suppose won't they?

Also, any recommendations on where to buy period doors at a good price? Is it just a case of trawling ebay for the right number of matching doors, I need 4 or 5?

We are replacing doors and carpet and are doing the doors last as they will need to be cut to the thickness of the flooring.

Yep doors last. You can buy them and have them treated now, but hang them after the carpet is down. Otherwise you will have a draught or a door that drags!

I say, doors first, as you will not want wood dust or paint on your new carpet. But I strongly recommend putting them on lift-off hinges so they can easily be taken off for redecorating, carpet fitting, or if they need to be planed. Extra hinge cost is trivial, and it will save the joiners time when fitting it.

The modern practice is to put a hardwood threshold strip under the door so it sits at the same height as the carpet inside.

Was going to say doors last but didnt know about lift off hinges which sound great.
Are they ok to use on old doors PigletJohn?

There are reclaim door supplier on the web, havent used any but worth having a look on google.

when you change hinges, you sometimes find the screw holes are not in the same positions, there is not much else in it. Joiners generally cut out new positions for hinges rather than trying to use the old ones anyway.

I think I have only seen lift-off hinges in a heavy grade rather than the cheap thin pressed steel sometimes used on light modern doors (old doors usually have thick cast-iron hinges). Lift-off hinges need to be more rigid so I wouldn't think a thin one would stand up to the weight. They are often used on fire doors which are very solid and heavy. Some of the more modern ones have rounded ends which may be a continental style. They are easier to rout in but to my eye the square ends look better.

Solid brass hinges are always thick because brass is not as strong as steel.

prices vary the stainless ones are very nice on a front door where there is some exposure to weather.

does anyone know how much a good quality (but not the best) door would be, are the ones already painted white easier to find (and where?) but are slightly more expensive as they are ready to use?

is this for an old house or a modern one? do you want flat doors or panelled ones? do you want them to blot out sound, or would you be happy with light hollow ones?

for example

the white is almost invariably only primer-undercoat, they will still need painting, especially after they have been cut and planed.

Thanks PigletJohn! Just need to find some doors now. DH would prefer new whereas I like to old so have to agree on that next.

If we go new I would like to get the ones that are already white likea I have found some on ebay and IIRC they weren't too expensive but can't remember the name of the shop. I never want to have to live with the horrible, badly stained doors that dragged on the floor that we had in our last house for 7 years!

It's a victorian flat with period features in my case, so wouln't want the flat one! just a classic panelled white, hollow would be fine (if they are ok quality?)
mash what is IIRC? what sort of prices did you find (per door), in new or very good condition? according to PJ you'd still have to paint it.

be sure to find a good local joiner to fit them for you. He will do a much better job, faster, than a DIYer or handyman. choose your knobs, locks and handles in advance. If the door linings ("frames") are shabby or poor quality, new ones are quite cheap and will give a better job. They will need new architrave. New is much easier to paint to a good standard.

I actually like the 6-panel 44mm firedoors, they look traditional, feel reassuringly heavy, and are solid enough to blot out sound. The will not fit old linings unless the house was built with heavy victorian doors.

Don't get the doors with a fake grainy finish.

we have lift-off hinges - well, rising hinges anyway - but they don't work because the architrave gets in the way. not sure if it's down to wonky house or incompetent joiners

tonneofbricks, IIRC is If I Recall Correctly

hollow doors are basically rubbish, made of compressed cardboard MDF or similar, or thin ply.

sorry, I should have said hollow doors are made of air, with a thin ornamental wrapping.