Installing A Prehung Exterior Door

For instructions on interior doors read how to install a prehung interior door.

Installing a prehung exterior door. If you choose to install a front door made of steel you will need a helper. If you can t find what you re looking for in stock you can order it. Next create a rough opening around your frame that s at least 1 inch wider and taller than the outside of the door system you re installing then insert the new door into the opening and place shims on the hinge side of the door making sure there s a gap of 1 8th inch between the edge of the door and the jamb. Casing will perfectly conceal the door installation brackets.

If you plan to install a new entry knob and deadbolt pick them out before you order the door. A prehung door comes already mounted into a frame and is installed all at once. Remove the old door. This video will sh.

Measure both the door and rough opening to make sure the door is the right size. You should be able to complete this project in less than a day. Take along your measurements and a sketch showing which way the door swings. Some prehung doors come with a plastic or wood drip cap at the top that is sloped to allow water to flow easily away from the house.

Add shims about every 6 in. Then lift the new pre hung door into the center of the rough opening positioning the bottom seal first then tilting the door into place. Begin installation by first running a thick bead of latex caulk along the subseal at the bottom of the old door opening. The drip edge flashing fits over the drip cap and slips under the roofing felt or building paper.

The key things to remember are setting the door level shimming the frame so the gaps between it and the door are even and taking steps to waterproof the installation. Check for plumb and shim the frame as necessary. Prehung exterior doors are available at home centers and lumberyards. Installing an exterior door that is insulated and made of steel can be heavy and cumbersome due to the weight of the materials.

If it isn t level set the door unit in place and shim the low side until it is level. If you pre drilled the door s exterior brick molding in step 1 you can now add finishing screws to the molding to help secure it to the building. Install door casing trim install the casing trim around the newly installed door. Replacing an entry door is one of the easiest and most cost effective things you can do to give your home a much needed exterior makeover.

Installing a prehung exterior door is straightforward. If your unit does not have a drip cap install one.