Handyman familyUpdated March 1, 2022
DIY techniques to install a waterproof exterior door
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Replace a worn, draughty front door with a sleek new, energy efficient one. Replacement doors come pre-assembled in a faded frame and you don't need to be a master carpenter to do a top-notch job. We'll show you the techniques that lead to a perfect, watertight installation.
Necessary tools
- 2 feet and 4 feet. levels
- cartridge gun
- Hammer
- miter saw
- nail game
- crowbar
- serra saber
- tape measure
- utility knife
Required material
- 10d finish nails
- Nails galvanized housing 10d
- 16d galvanized coating nails
- 3 inch deck screws
- 4D finish nails
- 6d finish nails
- support rod
- Foam with minimal expansion
- Polyurethanspachtel
- Self-adhesive flexible connecting roll
- Transition Fade Transition Fade (Optional; Photo 13)
- Treated wood to build the sleeper (optional)
Installation of curtained exterior doors
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rarely cancomplete a project in a weekendthis saves you money and dramaticallyimprove the appearance of your homehow to hang a new front door. In this article, we will show you how to order an exterior curtain door that fits like a glove. Next we will show you step by step how to remove the old door and insert the new one.
if you can driveBasic carpentry work, you can easily install a new prefabricated house door in one day. Allow another day to finalize the details and get startedpainting the doorPaint front dooradds personality and tames attractiveness.
Video: How to hang a door
Step by step project (19)
Step 1
Figure A: Measure your old door
In most cases, simply order a new door that is the same size as the old one. If you resize or add sidelights, you have to redesign the bezel and do a lot of detailing. This often doubles or triples the scope of the order. Here are the four sets of measurements you will need to order a door (see Figure A for details):
door size
- Measure the width and height of your old door.
- Round them down to full inches to find the replacement door size you need.
- For example, if your door is 35-3/4 inches wide and 79-1/2 inches high, you would order a 36-inch door. by 80 inches. Goal.
post width
- Measure from the back of the inner panel to the back of the outer panel (Figure A).
- Specify this frame width when ordering your new curtain door.
- This will ensure that the interior paneling fits the wall without adding "post extensions".
gross opening
- You will need to remove the inner lining to get accurate approximate opening measurements.
- Measure the width of the opening between the frame members and from the bottom of the sill to the top of the opening.
- Compare these measurements to the approximate opening requirements for your new door to ensure it will fit.
external opening(or "masonry opening" if you have a brick or stone door)
- Measure to the outside of the outer case and then from the bottom of the sill to the top of the trim.
- Compare these measurements to a prefabricated door that has a standard two inch wide "brick cut" finish.
- If your standard framed door is too small to fill the space or you want a different finish, you have three options.
- The best solution is a door with a wider, flat frame that fits the opening. You can always add a piece of decorative molding over it to bring the style closer to your existing exterior trim. (We ordered a 2-1/4" flat box and reinstalled the existing fairing.)
- Second, you can order your door in a standard finish and fill the space with additional wooden slats.
- The last option is to order the door without an outer panel and make it yourself.
step 2
Remove your old door
- Using a set of nails and a hammer, lightly tap the hinge pins.
- Then open the door and lift it up.
- Protect the floor with a cloth. The old door will be heavy.
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step 3
Force release of old configuration
- Remove the loose inner panel from the door frame.
- Protect the wall with a wide spatula.
- If you plan to reuse the trim, first mark the intersection between the trim and the post with a knife.
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step 4
Remove the outer panel
- Cut the caulking joint between the siding (brick) and the siding.
- Use a pry bar to remove the door frame trim.
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step 5
remove the stops
- Completely cut the side stopper off with a hacksaw.
- Release the stops and pull them out of the opening.
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step 6
Detail of removing the stopper
- If you intend to reuse the interior finish, use pliers or a pair of pliers to insert the nails through the back to avoid damaging the face.
- Cutting a side stop makes it easier to remove the entire frame.
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step 7
Prepare and install the threshold
- After removing the door frame, check the condition of the frame and the underbody in the sill area.
- Cut and replace rotten wood.
- If the new door sill is thinner than the one you removed, you may need to recreate the sill area. We were lucky. Our brick opening was level and plumb, but this is not always the case.
- Start by checking the sill area with a 2 foot level. If you build it like shown in the photo below, it's easy to level it with shims at the same time.
- Adjust the sill height so that when the door opens inward, it goes straight through the mats or rugs.
- Construct the sill area with treated wood at the correct height. Add shims to level it.
- Align the sill area with two washers about 10cm apart.
- Then place the door in the opening to test the fit. Hold a spirit level against the hinge stop and adjust the door and frame until the stop is plumb.
- Check how the shell fits against the liner. If the trim is so misaligned that the door frame and frame do not match, trim the trim or trim the frame. It looks best if you cut the side, but it's usually more convenient and easier to trim the frame.
- Mark the carcass in the areas that need trimming.
- Then remove the door and shorten the case with a belt sander or circular saw.
- Once the plane is level, secure it with coated deck screws.
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step 8
Install Fita Flashing
- Attaching masking tape protects the threshold from water ingress. Buy masking tape at sawmills.
- If you are installing a door in a newly built wall, you can purchase a special plastic sill trim kit. One brand is Jamsil. Details vary depending on the status of the entry.
- Cover the rough sill area with self-adhesive tape.
- Wrap it around the sides of the opening and over the front edge.
- Place the door in the opening, plunge and check the fit.
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step 9
Figure B: Threshold detail
- The idea is to divert the water away from the wood. If your house is built on a concrete slab, chances are your door frame will sit directly on the slab.
- Figure B shows how to properly install the window sill to prevent possible future water damage.
step 10
apply mass
- Make sure the construction paper is intact around the edges of the frame. If not, slide the #15 felt strips behind the panel and secure to the frame with clips.
- Once you are sure the door will fit, caulk along the sill and behind the frame and angle the door into the opening.
- Apply a bead of polyurethane caulk to the sides and top of the doorway and sill according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- You will probably need two tubes.
step 11
Fastening to a curtained outer door
- Make sure the door sill is level.
- Then center the top of the door in the opening and secure with galvanized frame nails.
- Lot hinged side posts and bottom corners stapled.
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step 12
Attach the hinge-side stopper
- Fits behind every stepladder.
- For large rooms, start with small squares of plywood.
- Then top it off with leggings.
- Make sure the hinge side stop stays plumb.
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step 13
Adjust the stopper on the latch side
- The goal is to center the door in the opening and wedge the sides until they are straight and straight.
- Shim top, center and bottom of latch side jamb and top until gap between door and jamb is even.
- Mark the slices with a knife and break them.
- When you are happy with the fit, nail through the frame stopper at each washer location.
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step 14
Replace hinge screws
- Replace one screw in each hinge with a three-inch screw that will be driven into the frame.
- Drive additional side nails along the sides and top of the outer panel every 16 inches.
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step 15
Figure C: Drip cap
- If your door is exposed to the weather, direct the water away from the top of the door with a metal drip cap as shown in Diagram C. Drip caps are available at hardware stores and lumberyards.
- Brick vents like ours and doors protected by covered canopies do not require a drip cap.
- If the drip cap is damaged or missing, install a new one before inserting the door frame into the opening.
- Cut the metal drip cap to fit and slide it under the side panel and construction paper (Figure C).
- If nails get in the way, slide a hacksaw blade under the trim and cut it out.
step 16
Insulate around the door
- Fill the space between the door jamb and the frame with minimal expansion foam insulation (you'll need about two cans).
- After the foam expands and forms a skin, loosely fill any remaining gaps with fiberglass insulation strips.
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step 17
Install interior moldings
- Cut and fit new interior trim or refit old trim.
- If there is a gap between the new sill and the existing floor, fill it with a beveled transition.
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step 18
Apply base seal and sealant
- Push the foam support bar into the side/cut out space.
- Apply a thin layer of sealant between the panel and the door panel.
- Cut a trim board to fit under the sill and screw it into the frame.
- For gaps larger than 3/16 in., insert and caulk a foam pad.
- Most doors require an additional trim panel under the sill to support their outer edge.
- Finally, remove the door and paint or stain and varnish the door, jamb and trim.
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step 19
Editor's note: Purchase of a new prefabricated exterior door
Most residential centers have prefabricated exterior doors in a limited number of styles.
- Common frame widths for standard doors are 4-9/16 inches and 6-9/16 inches and typically include a two inch wide brick trim for the exterior finish. These doors are great for newly constructed walls and replacing doors in newer homes.
- But if, after measuring the jamb width and opening dimensions of your existing door, you find that you need a different jamb size or that the siding is wider, you'll save yourself a lot of headaches by ordering a door. specifications. .
There are three types of connectors to choose from.
- Steel doors are popular because they are inexpensive and require little maintenance.
- Fiberglass doors do not warp or rot, and the more expensive models are difficult to tell apart from real wood.
- You'll find the widest range of styles in wooden doors, but be prepared to spend more time caring for the finish.
External curtain doors are available at hardware and home improvement stores. If you don't find what you are looking for in stock, you can order it.
- Take your measurements and a sketch showing how the door will open.
- If you are planning to install a new entrance button and latch, select them before ordering the door.
- Then ask the seller to drill the door to accept your hardware. It costs a little more but is worth it to avoid the stressful work of drilling a new door.
- Don't forget to order hinges that match the finish of your hardware.
Get some new door ideas after checking out these amazing door options.
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Originally posted: May 20th, 2020
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FAQs
Is it easy to replace an exterior door? ›
Unfortunately, it's not that easy; replacing an exterior door requires exact measuring, medium-to-advanced carpentry skills, and an understanding of terms and materials.
Can I replace an exterior door without replacing the frame? ›As long as the door frame is in good condition, and the new door panel is the same size as the old one, replacing a door without replacing the frame is certainly a possibility.
What is the average labor cost to replace an exterior door? ›Single doors can cost anywhere from $150 to $3,000, depending on their size and material. The labor costs to install single doors usually range from $80 to $630, so the total price of the project generally ranges from $230 to $3,630.
How many hours does it take to replace an exterior door? ›A typical door installation will take about four hours, but depending on the size and complexity of the door, it could be longer.
Can you replace an exterior door without replacing the door jamb? ›You can replace any exterior door in your home without removing the jamb. You just need the same size of door without the hinge cutouts. You don't need special tools, you can cut the hinge mortise with a chisel and a hammer.
What does a Prehung door mean? ›A prehung door is a door that's sold by the manufacturer “ready-to-go.” These slab doors already come with hinges attached to a three-sided frame and, while they may need some additional features, are generally sold as a complete package.
Can you take a Prehung door off the frame? ›With a pre-hung door, you will simply order a door to fit the size of the opening you have for both the door and the frame, and then you can simply remove the old frame and install the new one in its place. This still means sizing and placing the frame, and ensuring it is secure and well-insulated.
What is the average cost to install a door? ›National Average: $1,024
According to HomeAdvisor, door installation costs can range from $473 to $1,641, with the national average at $1,024. The exterior door installation price can vary due to the cost of materials, labor, and supplies, including hinges, screws, mounting hardware, and threshold.
Keep in mind that installing a prehung door means you'll have a large hole in your home, so you should plan to complete your exterior door installation in less than a day. If you aren't comfortable doing this installation, call a professional. Before removing the old door, have the new one on hand.
Can you replace a door on your own? ›Replacing an existing door with a new one is just about as easy as it sounds—you use the old door as a template to cut the new door to size and to outfit it with hinges and a lockset. Then you replace it in the existing jamb. No fuss, no muss.
How many hours does it take to replace a door? ›
For top quality work about 6–8 hours. Just a door with no trim or paint could be done in 30 minutes as long as the door and hinges have been measured correctly.
Can you put a new door in an existing frame? ›If an existing door is damaged or worn, you can put a new one into the doorway. Often the easiest solution is to remove the existing jambs and casing and install a prehung door. However, if your doorway is square or if the existing trim is difficult to replace, you can keep the doorway and replace the door.
Is it easy to replace a Prehung door? ›A door is either prehung in its own jamb, or it's not. Though prehung doors are less complicated to install than slab doors, installing one is still a labor-intensive project that requires some skill. Use this guide to learn how to install a prehung door, and the materials needed to complete this DIY task.
What's the difference between a Prehung door and a slab? ›A prehung door is a door already fitted to a frame and attached with hinges, ready to open and close; a slab is the door itself, or what most of us think of as the door, with no extras.
What is the lifespan of a front door? ›In general, any exterior door with an overhang protecting it and a reasonable amount of yearly or bi-yearly maintenance should last a homeowner 30 years. Gaskets, weather stripping, and exterior wood door frames may need to be replaced every eight to 10 years.
Does replacing exterior doors add value? ›A new front door is one of the best improvements you can make, as it offers a potential return on investment of around 75%. A return on investment, or ROI, means you'll get back about 75% of what you spent on your new entry door in the form of your home's increased value.
How many doors can a carpenter hang in a day? ›Most joiners can fit 4-6 doors in a day depending on how much work needs doing on them. Most decent carpenters should be able to hang 4-5 doors in a day with ironmongery fitted depending on what state the door lining is.
How much does it cost to replace an exterior door jamb? ›...
Highlights.
| Minimum Cost | Average National Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | $400 | $700 |
The International Residential Code requires that front door dimensions be at least 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. When you buy a standard front door size, the standard front door width is 36 inches wide and the height is 80 inches, and these are designed to fit in a rough opening that is 38 inches by 82 ½ inches.
Is it easier to install a Prehung door or slab? ›Prehung doors are much easier to install because they come pre-assembled with the door handle bore and hinges precut and in the correct position. However, they tend to be more costly due to the addition of the frame and hinges. Slab doors are typically cheaper since they don't come with a frame or hinges.
What is the advantage of a Prehung door? ›
The biggest advantage of using pre-hung doors is that they come weathertight, which means you do not have to worry about weather stripping them and making them tight-fitting. They also eliminate the need of having to fit the door into the doorjam, ensuring it opens and closes freely and correctly.
Can you buy a front door that is not Prehung? ›A slab door is a basic, stripped-down door that does not include a frame. It is the responsibility of the do-it-yourselfers or installer to attach the slab door to an existing door frame or to create an entirely new door frame. Slab doors can be purchase with or without a pre-cut hole for the doorknob.
Should I remove door from frame before installing? ›If you are replacing an interior door with a prehung door, first you must remove the existing door and its frame. Remove the hinge pins using a screwdriver and hammer. Then remove the door from the door frame. Remove the hinge plates and strike plate from the door frame.
How much gap between door and jamb? ›When measuring for a door, you should ideally leave at least 2 inches but maybe more like 2 1/2 or 3 inches. If you're using a door rough out, you should have a minimum of 3 inches.
Should I remove door to paint frame? ›Firstly, you should remove all door furniture. Door 'furniture' is the term that covers all the metal and extra parts such as handles, catches and hinges. Most people don't remove the door entirely prior to painting the frame, so be sure to cover the hinges with masking tape to prevent paint getting on to them.
How much should I charge to install an exterior door? ›The average cost to install an exterior door is around $1,170 for materials and labor. Material costs can range from $50 for a screen door to $6,000+ for sliding glass, folding glass, or telescoping doors. Labor costs range from $75 to over $1,200 per door, with the average cost around $550 to $640 per door.
How much does it cost to replace a whole door? ›Out of 11,916 projects analyzed by HomeAdvisor, the average cost of replacing a door was between $477 and $1,389, for an overall average of $916. The lowest price reported by a homeowner was $100, while the highest price reported was $4,200.
Is installing a door easy? ›Hanging or installing a door isn't as difficult as it may seem. Replacing an existing door is easy if the new door core is the same size. Installing a door in a new partition wall is also very easy if you buy a prehung door so you don't have to build the door frame yourself.
How long does it take a professional to install a door? ›The length of a door installation project varies, but typically our professional installers can complete the work within a day. If you're having multiple doors replaced, the installation process could take longer.
How long does it take a professional to replace a front door? ›Depending on the chosen style, an experienced installer should complete removal and door replacement within 2-4 hours. If you are installing a door without professional help, you can expect this to take up to a day.
Do you need a professional to hang a door? ›
Unless you are a DIY enthusiast, we recommend hiring a professional. Fitting a door alone can be quite a difficult task, as doors are heavy and cumbersome. Installing a new door usually requires two people, it is definitely not a one person task.
How do you fix a rotted exterior door frame? ›Make sure to remove any weatherstripping before cutting into the frame. Remove the rotted areas with a chisel, saw, knife, or preferred tool. Confirm the measurements of the damaged area. Restore the missing areas of the door jamb by cutting your own replacement piece or filling the space with an epoxy wood filler.
How long does a body shop take to replace a door? ›On average, it usually takes around two hours for an auto body repair shop to install a replacement car door on your vehicle. This time can vary depending on how extensive the damage is or how much custom work will be required.
How long does it take to remove and install a door? ›The amount of time it takes to replace a door and doorframe is likely to take several hours and less than one day. The old door frame must come out, trim must be removed, and the rough opening may have to be adjusted in size to accommodate the new door.
How long does it take to remove and fit a front door? ›Fitting a new front door or back door should take between two and four hours, assuming that the door you purchased is a good fit for the new opening. Before you can fit a new door, you will need to remove the old one.
How long does it take to remove and replace a door? ›The amount of time it takes to replace a door and doorframe is likely to take several hours and less than one day. The old door frame must come out, trim must be removed, and the rough opening may have to be adjusted in size to accommodate the new door.
Are doors hard to replace? ›Replacing an existing door with a new one is just about as easy as it sounds—you use the old door as a template to cut the new door to size and to outfit it with hinges and a lockset. Then you replace it in the existing jamb. No fuss, no muss.
Does a Prehung door include the frame? ›A prehung door is a door that comes with a frame. This type of door is easy to install because you don't have to build a frame yourself. There are two primary types of doors you can use in your home.
Does a Prehung door mean it comes with a frame? ›A prehung door is a door that's sold by the manufacturer “ready-to-go.” These slab doors already come with hinges attached to a three-sided frame and, while they may need some additional features, are generally sold as a complete package.
Does door replacement include frame? ›In many cases, you can replace a door without replacing the frame, as long as the frame is in good shape, and not warped or worn. If the door is not closing properly or there are gaps around the door that need to be insulated, you'll want to determine if the fault is with the door or the frame.
What is the difference between a Prehung door and a regular door? ›
A prehung door is a door already fitted to a frame and attached with hinges, ready to open and close; a slab is the door itself, or what most of us think of as the door, with no extras.
How much does it cost to remove and install a door? ›These costs include materials (the door itself, supplies, and hardware) and labor; contractors provide their own tools. Labor costs between $40 and $90 per hour or more and varies by location. On average, you can expect to pay $70 per hour for a licensed contractor or $30 to $40 per hour for a handyperson.
How long does it take to replace a door with frame? ›Replacing a door frame takes about three hours for an experienced professional.