A ledged and braced door — Dutch *opgeklampte deur* — is a door made from individual boards that are stiffened on the back by horizontal battens, called ledges, plus a diagonal brace. The leaf therefore has two layers: boards on the face, framework on the back.
It is the simplest solid door construction there is. Historically it was used for stable, cupboard and box-bed doors; today it is mostly seen on shed doors, garden gates, shutters and partition screens.
How to build one
- Choose the boards. Tongue-and-groove or shiplap boards of 18 to 22 mm. Tongue and groove keeps the door closed off when the timber shrinks.
- Lay the boards out face down, tight against each other on a flat surface.
- Fit the ledges. Two horizontal ledges of 22 to 28 mm thickness, about 15 to 25 cm in from the top and bottom. Tall doors get a third in the middle.
- Fit the brace. The diagonal runs from the ledge at the bottom of the hinge side upwards towards the closing side. That way the brace works in compression and carries the weight back to the hinges.
- Fix it all. At least two to three screws per board per ledge. Traditionally nails were driven through and the points clenched over, which gives a surprisingly rigid joint.
The most common mistake: fitting the brace the wrong way round. If the diagonal runs from high at the hinges down to the latch, it works in tension and the door will drop within a season. Remember: the foot of the brace always sits at the hinges.
Points to watch
- Screw length. Screws must not break through the face. With a 20 mm board and a 25 mm ledge, a 40 mm screw is about right.
- Timber movement. Do not lock the boards rigidly together across the width; one line of fixings per board is enough.
- Outdoor use. Water must not sit in the joint between board and ledge. Chamfering the top edge of the ledge adds years of life.
- Hinges. Long strap or tee hinges that span several boards add stiffness of their own.
Related terms
- Internal door
- Wood rot
- Scaffold board
- Tongue and groove
Learn more about building terms in our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.