How to Install an Exterior Door on Brick Siding
The first thing people notice before entering a home is the door. Many people opt to change out old sliding glass patio door and update to a French door that gives the home a light, modern, airy feel. Others replace the front entrance door to give the home a whole new look. Updating to a new door is surprisingly affordable, and simple enough to complete in just a few hours, whether you are installing your new door into aluminum siding, stucco walls or brick siding. The following tips are helpful when installing an exterior door on brick siding.
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Things You'll Need
- Pre-hung door unit
- Hammer
- Nails
- Wooden shims
- Level
- Fiberglass insulation
- Caulk
Instructions
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1
Measure your rough opening size. This is the opening where you will be installing a new door. The rough opening is measured from stud to stud to get the width, and from the floor to the bottom of the header to get height. Typically, this opening will be roughly 6 inches wide by 7 inches high on a pair of exterior doors.
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2
Purchase your door. Choose an assembled unit for easier installation. An assembled unit includes a door and frame.
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3
Remove and dispose of the existing door in the opening.
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4
Slide your new door into the opening, bottom first, making sure the door is centered within the opening. Use three nails along each jamb to hold the door in place, but do not countersink these nails yet, as you may need to remove them.
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5
Examine the door to ensure that there is equal spacing along the header and along both jambs. If spacing is unequal, use wooden shims to adjust the unit. Do a final check with your level to ensure the unit is plumb.
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Nail the unit into place. Once the door is plumb and level, use nails to secure the unit to the studs, making sure to also nail all wooden shims securely into place. Countersink the temporary nails you installed previously.
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7
Weatherproof the opening. Place insulation in all the gaps between the jambs and header and the building's framing. Install any trim kits that came with the door. Place a thin line of caulk at the opening where the jambs meet your brick siding.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not proceed with installing the unit until it is truly plumb and level. Doors that are not level will not function properly and could pose a security risk to your home.
