Door between the house and garage?

[Chris Taylor]

I'm new to this site and need to see if I can get some help with a problem which I'm having.

On the door between the house and garage what passes? I know what the 2006 IRC 309.1 says, but still have questions.

What is a 1-3/8" solid core wood door(like the code states)? Is a 6 panel pine acceptable, what about a solid core 6 panel 1-3/8" masonite? Or is it saying that the door needs to be a 1-3/8" solid core birch with no panels.


HELP!!!!!

[John Arnold]

I'm new to this site and need to see if I can get some help with a problem which I'm having.

On the door between the house and garage what passes? I know what the 2006 IRC 309.1 says, but still have questions.

What is a 1-3/8" solid core wood door(like the code states)? Is a 6 panel pine acceptable, what about a solid core 6 panel 1-3/8" masonite? Or is it saying that the door needs to be a 1-3/8" solid core birch with no panels.


HELP!!!!!

Right. No panels. If it's a wood door, the entire thing has to be at least 1-3/8.

[Chris Taylor]

Right. No panels. If it's a wood door, the entire thing has to be at least 1-3/8.


So in your opinion would you say that a 1-3/8" solid core birch or solid core hardboard would be the only door to pass? Also, if I understand correctly even a 1-3/4" 6 panel door wouldn't pass because where the panles join the door is also less that 1-3/8"...Right.

[Jerry McCarthy]

Right :)

[Jerry Peck]

Right :)

WC Jerry,

What say you about the difference between "solid wood" and "solid core"?

I'm pondering it as though there might not be a difference, but then, right there it is in the code and the commentary ...

The code and the commentary specifically mention "solid or ... core" when referencing steel doors, yet specifically *only* mention "solid wood" when referencing wood doors.

And a "solid core" door *is not* a "solid wood" door.

[Jerry Peck]

So in your opinion would you say that a 1-3/8" solid core birch or solid core hardboard would be the only door to pass? Also, if I understand correctly even a 1-3/4" 6 panel door wouldn't pass because where the panles join the door is also less that 1-3/8"...Right.

Chris,

As WC Jerry said: "Right."

[Jim Luttrall]

2006 IRC - 309.1 Opening protection: Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches in thickness, solid or honeycomb core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.


No mention of species, just solid wood.
But what does "solid wood" mean? Could it be solid like a solid glu-lam beam?

[Jerry Peck]

No mention of species, just solid wood.
But what does "solid wood" mean? Could it be solid like a solid glu-lam beam?

Jim,

At least that would be better than those particle board core "solid core" doors. Notice that even the manufacturers do not call them "solid wood", they call them "solid core".

I wonder what the flame spread and smoke developed ratings for the adhesive for those particle board cores is? I wonder how close they actually come to performing as a "solid wood" door would perform?

I can imagine a fire burning off one skin and then the "solid core" falls out. Some of those doors are made very cheaply. Or the bottom rail falls out, allowing smoke and fire to pass through.

[Door Guy]

Just a suggestion, if your unsure, buy a 20 minute rated door.