How Door Panels Are Made

Be sure to mark all holes for the clips and door handles.

How door panels are made.

As shown in the illustration above panel doors are made from a framework of stiles and rails that hold wood panels. For example a six panel door will be made up of six inset rectangles or squares within the door. However with a little instruction and a broad selection of car interior upholstery parts the task is made easier than you might think. Each of these panels will fit together in order to create the finished door.

For most classic car restorers sewing together upholstery is an unlearned skill. This construction method is common because it minimizes the effects of wood s tendency to shrink warp and swell with variations in humidity. But using some readily available components you can achieve professional looking results. The door is crafted not of one single piece of wood or other material but instead is comprised of panels.

Set an old door panel on the hardboard and trace its shape. If you want to construct a panel without using an old one tape kraft paper to the inside of the door and trace the pattern onto the paper. Some panel doors have glass lites rather than wood panels. This series of videos will walk you through building custom interior door panels.

Panel doors are and have been very popular for quite some time.