How To Easily Install Your Own Exterior Door

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March 22, 2017

Upgrading an exterior door will give your home a new look and add to its curb appeal.

So let’s get started installing your new door.

And by the way — Builder Supply Outlet carries hundreds of high quality doors and locksets at affordable prices.  Just click here.

To install an exterior door you’ll need…

• Carpenter’s pencil
• 4′ level
• Pry bar
• Cement screws
• Deadbolt lock
• Solid-core door
• Safety glasses

REMOVE CURRENT DOOR, MOLDING, AND FRAME

Using a hammer and a flat screwdriver, remove the hinge pins.  Then remove the old door.  Unscrew the hinges from the door.  Next, unscrew the hinge leaves and remove them from the jamb.  Keep the old hinge sets together (including screws, hinge leaves and hinge pins).

Using a utility knife, score the caulking between the molding and the brick to break the seal.  Use a pry bar and hammer to carefully remove the molding.  Pry away the door jamb, framing and threshold and then scrape away old caulking.

CALCULATE DIMENSIONS OF THE ROUGH OPENING

To calculate the dimensions of the door opening, measure the width between the side jambs, the head jamb to the seal under the old threshold, and the thickness of the wall.  The rough opening should be at least one inch wider and taller than the outside frame dimensions of the new pre-hung door.

DRY-FIT THE NEW DOOR

With the shipping brackets still attached, carefully set the door in place.  Center it in the opening.  If necessary, add shims under the lower side jamb until the entire unit is plumb and level.  With a carpenter’s pencil, mark a line at the top of the door on the brick lintel, then carefully remove the door.

MARK PLUMB LINE AROUND THE OPENING

Use the level to mark plumb lines on both sides of the opening.  These lines will serve as guides for the molding of the new exterior door.  Remove any remaining pieces of paneling around the door to ensure a clean opening.

INSTALL ADDITIONAL FRAMING IF NEEDED

For a very rough opening — one that has concrete or cinderblock as the jamb — pressure-treated lumber may be necessary to frame out the door.  For this, take the measurements for the side jamb and cut the board to length.  After checking for plumb, install the board using cut nails designed for fastening to masonry.  This board will act as additional framing for the new door.

HANG YOUR NEW DOOR

First run a thick bead of latex caulk along the sub-seal at the bottom of the old door opening.  Next — lift the new pre-hung door into the center of the rough opening, positioning the bottom seal first, then tilting the door into place.  Check for plumb and shim the frame as necessary.  Secure the door with cement screws at each shim location.  For wood frames, use casing nails.  Trim off excess shims using a utility knife and pry bar.  Remove the shipping brace and test the operation of the door.  Next, attach the long-anchor screws (provided with the door) through the hinges and into the door framing

SEAL AND INSULATE

Run a bead of paintable latex caulk around the entire door.  Fill all the holes left by the screws with wood filler.  Next, insert fiberglass insulation into the voids between the door frame and opening.  Attach the trim to the door with fourpenny finishing nails.  Once the caulk and wood filler have dried, you can apply paint to the door and wood trim to match the color of your home — then simply attach the door handle and deadbolt to the new door.  Check out this great article on the importance of deadbolts.

Feel free to stop into Builder Supply Outlet or the Edge Showroom with any home improvement questions you may have regarding exterior doors, tile, backsplash, windows, kitchen cabinets, remodeling, construction, contractors, designing/installing a new kitchen or bathroom — or anything else.  We can help you through the entire design and installation process from A-Z.  Or call us anytime in Broadview, IL at 1-708-343-3900. You can also make an appointment to meet with one of our Edge Kitchen and Bathroom designers at no charge by clicking here.