Home Maintenance

Installing an exterior door is one of the easiest of all door installations. Whether the door is installed in new construction or in a replacement situation, there are a few factors that make this an easy task.

The biggest reason this is a simple operation is that these doors come pre-hung. What this means is that the door is already hung in its jamb. The hinges are mortised into the door and jamb and screwed in place. The door is held in position by the hinge pins, leaving the perfect reveal around the door and the jamb’s top and sides. The holes are also bored for the lockset and, if necessary, for the deadbolt too. Exterior doors come in wood, fiberglass, and the most popular, steel. The two sizes are normally used for exterior doors are 32″ and 36″. With the sizes of today’s furniture and appliances the smart choice is the 36″ door. The standard height for a door is 6’8″ but taller ones can be special ordered.

The exterior trim comes nailed to the jamb. This trim, called brickmoulding, is mitred and already installed, saving the installer(s) another step. These doors also have an aluminum threshold already attached to the legs of the jambs. All these things make the door and jamb one cohesive unit.

The standard jamb size is 4 1/2″ wide. With the demand for a higher insulation R value in exterior walls, 2×6 framing is being used more frequently. Jambs to fit these walls, 6 1/2″, are becoming more common. Jamb widths can be made to order for whatever a project’s needs are, but this costs more.

To install an exterior door, first check to see if the rough opening is correct. The width of the opening should be 2″ wider than the door itself (38″ for a 36″ door, 34″ for a 32″ door). For a rough opening height 83″ will suffice for most door manufacturers. Also check to see if the framing and floor is reasonably plumb.

Door installation is easier with two people but can be done alone. Put the door in the opening from the outside. If you are working alone, tack the door to the wall through the brickmoulding, not driving the nails home. I like to use galvanized ring shank splitless nails that are used for cedar siding. They don’t split the wood and the smaller heads are not as obvious to the eye. The ring shank feature gives them great holding power.

With the door tacked in the opening, go to the inside of the door and check the reveals around the door. There should be about an eighth of an inch all around the door. Shim the jambs of the door so the reveals are right. Check the doorjamb on the hinge side for plumb. If it is not plumb, then the floor is out of level. One jamb leg or the other will need to be shimmed so the threshold is level. Now readjust the reveals by moving the door and jambs sideways in the opening to a point where the reveals are right. Once the door and jamb are in position, shim the jamb at each hinge and at the strike, top and bottom on the strike side. Nail the shims in place by nailing through the jamb, through the shims and into the framing. Check the door swing to see if it opens and closes properly. If all is well, go outside and nail through the brickmould using the splitless nails to nail the doorframe to the house.

Most door manufacturers provide long screws that replace some of the shorter screws in the hinges on the jamb. The top hinge is the most important place to use one or two of these screws.
These screws go through the jamb and into the framing and keep the door from sagging over time.

Most doors come with an adjustable threshold. This may have to be adjusted up or down to create an airtight seal.

With the door securely in the opening, it is ready for door hardware installation.

You may also be interested in:

1998-2002 Toyota Corolla Front Outside Door Handle - Driver SideThis item is brand new. This is an exact replacement for the original part. It is a direct bolt in with no modifications required to install.

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Toyota Sienna Plastic Lift Gate Exterior Door Handle for Rear Outside Siena Van Tailgate Handle 98 99 00 01 02 03This is a BRAND NEW Rear Exterior LiftGate door handle that will fit the following vehicles: 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna / 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia. This handle is guaranteed to fit and comes with a 15 day money back guarantee.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Toyota Sequoia Metal Lift Gate Exterior Door Handle for Rear Outside Van Tailgate Handle 01 02 03 04 05 06 07This is a BRAND NEW Rear Exterior LiftGate door handle that will fit the following vehicles: 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna / 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia. This handle is guaranteed to fit and comes with a 15 day money back guarantee.

Jobar's JB4283 Instant Screen Door, WhiteEnjoy the convenience of a screen door without the hassle of complicated installation! Protect from mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects Lets f... Read More >

Heavy-duty Extra-large Coir with Vinyl Backing 36"x72"Momentum Mats has been a trusted manufacturer for 28 years and takes great pride in the fact that we use only 100% natural coir and rubber in our door... Read More >

Other Post You Might Like:

• Exterior Doors Steel Vs Fiberglass
  When comparing mid- to low-grade steel or fiberglass doors the cost difference is fairly negligible. But if you want to fix high-end doors, the fiberglass exterior door cost will be more when compared...
• Weatherproofing French Doors
  Before purchasing the weatherproofing materials in the hardware store you should check to be sure the door is aligned properly. Over the years or months the door may drop or fall causing alignment pro...
• Fitting Blinds to UPVC Doors
  By using the steps above you can easily go about fitting blinds to UPVC doors. It'll be a successful and rewarding experience. When you are finished make sure to show off your beautiful UPVC door to y...
• Fitting Blinds to French Doors
  French doors can be tricky to find the appropriate covering for. This is because they let in more light than windows and they have a pesky little door handle to deal with when thinking about installin...

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Related Websites

• Refacing Kitchen Cabinets: New Cabinets on a Budget Replacing kitchen cabinets can cost at least a few thousand dollars, but refacing kitchen cabinets can cost a great deal less. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a great option when you can't or don't want to refinish. If your cabinets aren't wood, you can't simply refinish them. And if the doors......
• There's a Ghost Working Out in My Gym I don't know why, but every so often I feel like there's a ghost working out in my gym. It's creepy. I wake up and the door is wide open. Taunting me. Check the video out and let me know if I'm just bugging out or what. Either there's......
• Installing a Utility Door Utility doors made of steel can be easily installed as a part of a room addition, barn, or garage makeover. With the frame properly sized, pre-hung jambs should fit quite nicely. With a bit of care during shimming, you should a good seal on the weather stripping, and a perfect......
• How to Fix a Poor Cabinet Door [/caption]One of the primary rules of home improvement is simple: conservation. If something is broken, you'll want to fix it instead of replace it. This is true for most of your household items, whether you're talking about an old bed or a faulty cabinet door. Rather than go through the......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to......

Comments are closed.