Using interior door on exterior of coop?

[MikeTodd]

We are building a pole barn style coop and I have access to a free door to allow human entrance into the coop. However, it is an interior door. If I seal the door with a polyurethane to prevent moisture from getting into the door, do you think it will be ok to use?

 

[TerryH]

We are building a pole barn style coop and I have access to a free door to allow human entrance into the coop. However, it is an interior door. If I seal the door with a polyurethane to prevent moisture from getting into the door, do you think it will be ok to use?

Any interior door no matter what you do will fail in an exterior application.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have access to a free door to allow human entrance into the coop. However, it is an interior door. If I seal the door with a polyurethane to prevent moisture from getting into the door, do you think it will be ok to use?

I will definitely last longer with the coating. With a bit of preventative maintenance there is no telling how long it may last. The price sounds right.

 

[MikeTodd]

I think for the price, we are going to give it a try.

 

[BruceAZ]

check Craigslist free stuff section

i saw people giving away doors a few times

 

[21hens-incharge]

The other thing about interior doors is they are often hollow so not good predator proofing.

There are also the used building material places like Habitat For Humanity that sell doors for cheap. We have a few building supply salvage places around here and I use them often.
I recently got 7 sheets of siding for 15 dollars each. I used them to make a coop for some hens that needed a new home. So far the new hens are not complaining about the cheap materials.



I used the siding that we cut out to make a door with for human use. I did the same on the main coop behind this one.
Easy enough with basic carpentry skills.



The second pic here shows the trim on the main coops door.


I have not had time to repair the path or add trim so please forgive the mess. The door facing (siding) is screwed to a frame made from 2x3 lumber to keep it light and has a spring for automatic closing. I will be adding trim all around the face of the door for cosmetic appeal. If you have materials this may work for you as well. If you want pics of the framing inside the door pop me a pm and I will take a few pics for you.