Opening a New Door on Proper Door Installation
The front door is an important part of your home’s appearance, maintenance and security. A correctly installed door is crucial to proper home function. Fortunately, a front door replacement is a simple DIY project achievable with a few basic tools such as a cordless drill, reciprocating saw, pry-bars, hammer and pliers.
Getting the Right Measurements
You’ve heard the adage, “measure twice, cut once” before and it certainly applies here. A proper front door replacement means having the correct measurements:
- Start by pulling the molding off inside to properly measure the height and width of the rough opening.
- Measure the height and width of the existing door.
- Make note of where the sill is located relative to the floor.
Bring your measurements for an in-store purchase or special order. Ask about the estimated delivery time and make special arrangements if necessary.
Installing the New Door
It’s important to confirm that the new door measurements match that of your old door. It’s easier to paint or stain the new door on sawhorses before installation:
- Remove the existing door by removing hinge pins and/or screws.
- Remove molding inside and outside of the door.
- Use the reciprocating saw to cut through the frame halfway up on one side.
- Use the prybars to remove the frame on the cut side. Follow with the top, the other side and the sill.
- Remove packing from the door and screws used to keep the door shut. Have someone help you set the new door in place.
- Shim the frame on the hinge side to make sure the door is plumb. Fasten with a three-inch screw in each hinge.
- Make sure that the door gap is even along the top before proceeding to shim the frame on the other side using three screws that can be installed behind the seal.
Follow up by installing the knob as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Your new door should have two holes for the knob and deadbolt. Use existing molding or cut and install new molding with finishing nails. Paint or stain to achieve the desired look. Congratulations on a successful front door replacement.