94 



The Country House 



annoyed the finer senses of the public, or perhaps the door builder did some in- 

 venting to outdo competitors, which is more likely. However this may be, the 

 better door of the present day has the mortise made so as not to run through the 



stile; and the tenon, 

 split in the middle for 

 the insertion of a 

 wedge, is coated with 

 glue and forced into 

 place. It is readily 

 seen (see Fig. 12) 

 that this makes a 

 most effective joint, 

 and yet one almost, 

 if not quite, regrets 

 the pins, from an 

 artistic standpoint, 

 which show clearly its 

 manner of construc- 

 tion. 



The door is hung 

 on hinges from the 

 "frame," which in 

 turn is nailed to the 

 door studs on either 

 side. The old nu-rh- 

 od of treating the 

 frame was to rabbet 

 for the door; in later 

 work a stop, or strik- 

 ing piece, was fas- 

 tened to the inside, 

 thus forming the 

 rabbet. Of the two 

 methods, each has an 

 advantage. The stop 

 admits of hanging 

 the door on either 

 side of the partition 

 at will; but unless it 

 is very well put on it 

 is apt to gape open, 

 thus leaving a crack through from one room to the other. The old form has not 

 this disadvantage, but the door cannot be changed from one side of the casing to 

 the other without a great amount of trouble; however, it is perhaps the better for 

 serious work. Whichever method is employed, the frame is best made from 

 2-inch stock; closet doors can be made slightly lighter if desired. 



, 



mewhat difficult to 



keep clean on top 



