Door repair in Center City, Philadelphia
Center City mixes elegant townhouses with converted buildings, and entry doors here often carry more detail than elsewhere.
AThe doors you will find
Around Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square West, many streets have nineteenth century townhouses with tall paneled front doors, transoms and sidelights. Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square are two of the five public squares laid out in the original plan for Philadelphia. Behind the doors there are often vestibules and a second interior door, and some buildings have been converted to apartments.
BTypical repair issues
Tall doors
Tall, heavy doors put strain on hinges. Sagging at the top corner and a latch that no longer lines up are common.
Transoms
The glass window above the door can have failed glazing or stuck hardware. Repair the transom along with the door.
Shared entrances
In converted buildings a shared front door may be a building-owner responsibility. Check who owns it before arranging repair.
CRules to check
Historic review
Many Center City blocks are in historic districts on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Repairs that keep the door's look are easier than replacements that change it.
Permit questions
Changing a door opening or its size is a building permit matter with L&I.
Lead paint
Doors painted before 1978 may have lead layers, so lead-safe practices apply when scraping or sanding.
DMaking repairs last
Because Center City doors are so visible, owners often repaint after repair. Ask the repairer to prime and seal the bottom and top edges, which are often left bare and absorb water. Keep the paint system consistent with what is already on the door.
EOfficial local sources
These outside pages are worth a look before you hire anyone for work in Center City.
?Questions people ask
Can a transom be repaired with the door?
Yes, usually in the same visit. Ask for a separate line in the estimate.
Does the Historical Commission review door repair?
Review applies to changes visible from the street on designated properties. Repair that preserves the look is usually simpler, but confirm first.
Who is responsible for a condo entry door?
Typically the association or building owner. Check with them.