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Yes, you can add a door to your basement—it might even be required, depending on building codes in your area and whether or not you’re using the basement as a bedroom. A basement contractor can give you some advice on installation and help you add a door to your basement.

For most doors, you can use a 1-inch chisel to create the mortise for the strike plate. In addition, you can use a 3/4-inch chisel for more refined cuts and to clean up the edges of your mortise. The smaller tool is handy when squaring off the edges around the hole for your latch.

Solid wood is a durable and attractive option for cabinet doors that holds up well against a small amount of moisture. However, solid wood doors will expand and contract, meaning upkeep will be necessary if painted. Particleboard with veneer cabinet doors are cost-effective and can be attractive. MDF cabinet doors offer excellent and predictable workability features. However, both of those options are vulnerable to damage if water finds its way through the veneer or paint finish. 

To build a standard size, six-panel door yourself, you’ll need four 2-foot by 6-foot boards, one 2-foot by 8-foot or 2-foot by 10-foot board, and a sheet of 3/4-inch, paint-grade plywood. The 2-foot by 6-foot boards will serve as your stiles, top rail, and horizontal and vertical mullions, and the wider board will serve as the bottom rail, which is usually wider than the other horizontal pieces. The plywood will serve as the panels, but you’ll need around five 1-foot by 6-foot boards to make your own panels if you want to stain the door rather than paint it.