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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.

Most of the time, the direction your door swings does matter. Your door’s swing is also called its handing, and it determines how your door opens. The layout of your home probably only gives your door enough room to hang and swing in one direction. On the other hand, it might not matter if your door can open freely in either direction without inconveniencing you and your household.

If you don’t know which door sweep to buy, look into getting a strip or bristle sweep. They’re easy to find at the store, work well for most doors, and the simple installation is DIYable. Before buying one, measure your door width and make sure the one you want is long enough. Most door sweeps are 36 inches long, and you can cut them down to size with a hacksaw.

Kick plates are usually installed on the “push” side of a door, but there are plenty of reasons to install them on both sides. Interior kick plates can offer protection from pet scratches, doors being kicked closed, and even kids’ toys during enthusiastic play sessions. Consider what kind of use and abuse your door gets to determine which side or sides to install a kick plate on.