My friend's and I are planning on getting a place off campus next year. We've been looking around for a bit, and found a great 4 bedroom place near main campus. The only problem is that there are 5 of us total. There is an extra room in the front that is normaly used as a dining room. My friend's think that would be a perfect place to make a bedroom out of... the only problem is that there is no door to the room. We have spent that last couple days in trying to figure out a way of installing a door cheaply. I think our big problem is that on the contract for the lease, which we have yet to recieve, probably says something about no major construction on the house. Adding a door probably breaks that rule. Basically we are trying to think of an alternative to installing a new door. We've thought of those folding screens, and maybe an accordian door that would run on a track. It's main purpose is to keep people out when we have parties at the place. If anyone has experience with installing a door, or can think of a great alternative, I'd be veryyy interested.
If you don't have a plethora of tools, namely a good level, good saw and a power screwdriver, not to mention a good handful of shims - don't even start with the door. It's a pain in the ass to get it in perfect position to where the door can even shut in the jamb. Then you have to trim everything up with drywall and you might even have to make framework to hang it in the first place. It doesn't work as a physical anti-stealmyshyt barrier, but an easy privacy fix would be to get a dowell or shower curtain rod and hang up a thick curtain - hell, even a shower curtain would do and look pretty nice. Then you could slide a bookcase or something in behind the curtain when you're having a party. The folding track door would serve your purposes nicely whilst being the easiest option to execute, but you still can't lock one of those and you need to get one that's fitted to the entryway. Or you could always find a huge framed painting or mural or map or something and hang it up to cover the opening during a party and no one would even know the room was there.
Have you considered a Shoji Door? Maybe even just a shoji screen that will fold if you want to do no construction...
You didn't say what the opening into the room is like now. If it is a common height and width, you might consider bi-fold doors like are used on closets. They are not really substantial, but would be more-so than a shower curtain. There is an overhead track to install and a small bracket that goes on the floor on each end of the doors. If you are careful, they do minimal damage to door trim, which could be filled and painted when you leave. If it looks like that may work, measure the opening and go down to Lowe's or Home Depot. They will tell you whether the bi-folds they carry will fit or not. The doors should cost between $60 to $80 dollars for a pair (you will need 2), depending on size.
