How to Install a Front Door

If you need a new front door on your home, consider replacing it yourself. You'll be amazed at how much a new door can change your home's appearance. Plus, you can save energy by eliminating drafts. Here's how to install a new front door.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Circular saw
• Trim for interior and exterior of the house
• Weatherproofing material
• New front door
• Level
• Weatherproof caulk
• Prying bar or large hammer
• Thin wood scraps
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Tenpenny finishing nails
• Tape measure

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Instructions

1. Measure the door opening as well as your current front door.

2. Bring the measurements to a hardware or home improvement store and purchase a new door.

3. Take the old door off its hinges. To do this, tap out the pins and carefully slip the door from the hinges.

4. Remove the old door molding using a pry bar or the claw end of a large hammer.

5. Remove the hinges from the door jamb by taking out the screws from each hinge. Then remove the door jamb from the door frame. You may need to use a circular saw to make a cut partway up the jamb so that it can be removed in two pieces.

6. Check to make sure the door fits by moving it into place. It's helpful to have another person there to help you.

7. Caulk the bottom of the door opening and place the bottom of the door in place.

8. Raise the top of the door into position. If the door fits and is level, temporarily nail the frame into place. If the door frame is sitting as it should, place small pieces of scrap wood (shims) between the wall and the frame. These serve to prevent the frame from shifting as you work.

9. Secure the door by driving large, tenpenny finishing nails through the frame and the shims. If any areas appear to be out of alignment, place a shim behind them and secure them with the finishing nails.

10. Finish the exterior trim in a style that matches the exterior of your house.

11. Place insulation between the door jamb and the wall.

12. Make sure that the door hangs correctly. It should hang midway through opening close easily.

13. Apply the appropriate interior trim.

14. Replace the door hardware either with new hardware or the hardware from the old door.