How to Change an Exterior Door

Newer exterior doors are stronger and more durable than older models.

Exchanging an exterior door can add value and increase the safety of your home. Exterior doors fatigue as they age, and damage from water and termites can weaken the door's support structure even further. Current construction standards and better engineered materials for exterior doors have made them stronger and more durable then older doors. Installing a pre-hung exterior door will reduce the amount of work and time involved in changing an exterior door.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Utility knife
• Carpenter's square
• Claw hammer
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small pry bar
• Drill
• Screw tips for the drill
• Level
• 3-inch wood screws
• Wood shims

Instructions

1. Cut the caulking with the utility knife where the door trim meets the walls and where the trim is caulked to the door.

2. Pry the trim away from the door. Gently hit the screwdriver between the door jamb and the door trim. Start at the top of the door, and work your way down. Pry with the pry bar to pull the trim completely away from the exterior door. Repeat the process until all the trim is removed from the door.

3. Remove the sill plate screws that go through the bottom of the door into the floor. Locate and remove all screws or nails that are securing the door to the framing. Pull out the cedar shims from around the door. Pry on the door buck with the pry bar to break it free from the framing.

4. Discard the old door. Clean the area where the old exterior was located.

5. Slide the new exterior door into the rough opening of the framing. Flush the door with the interior wall finish using the carpenter's square as a guide. Center the new door in the rough opening, and place cedar shims on the top corners of both sides of the door to hold it in place. Run a 3-inch wood screw through the door buck, shim and house framing.

6. Plumb the door using the level. Locate shims above the area where the hinges mount to the door frame. Run screws through the door at the hinges, through the shims. Level the top of the door frame. Add shims at the corners and in the middle, and screw the door to the framing. Plumb the catch side of the door, and repeat the process of shimming and anchoring the door.

7. Install the trim around the door, and caulk the trim to the door and the walls. Re-install the door knob and deadbolt. Paint the door and trim after the caulk has cured.

8. Install the weather stripping in the routed slot located on the door frame. Cut the excess length off the weather stripping with the utility knife. Test the door to make sure that it closes tightly and does not rub the door frame. Re-adjust the door if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris.

References

• Energy Savers: U.S. Department of Energy - Exterior Door Selection and Installation