How to Align an Exterior Door
Exterior doors must be properly aligned to prevent heating and cooling problems, as well as for safety reasons. Homeowners often notice a slight gap in the door after it has been installed. Exterior doors can be aligned during or after construction. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Be patient. New homes often take six months to a year to "settle," the term used to describe the process in which a new building slowly shifts into its permanent shape on its foundation. After the home has settled, your may find that any perceived door gaps or misaligned doors have disappeared.
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2
Ensure that all hinges are secure. Sometimes a hinge can become loose and result in a sagging door. If tightening the hinge screws does not resolve the issue, continue to Step 3.
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3
Check the horizontal angles of the floor, door jam and the door itself with the level. This helps you pinpoint the areas that need to be adjusted in order to properly align the exterior door with its door frame. In most cases, the door is misaligned with the frame.
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4
Shim the door hinges to adjust the angle of the door's horizontal and vertical angles to properly fit the door frame. Measure the angle at which the hinge is skewed and needs to be adjusted. Remove the door from the hinges with the screwdriver.
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5
Cut the cardboard or plywood into the shape of the door hinge base. Punch holes in the cardboard or plywood where the screws of the hinge will go.
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6
Place the cardboard or plywood under the hinge and reinstall the door. The new layer of material will push the hinge outward. Re-measure the angle at which the door needs to be adjusted. Place new layers of cardboard or plywood under the hinge to increase the thickness beneath the side of the hinge that needs to be adjusted. Continue until the alignment problem is corrected.
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