How to Install Prehung French Doors

Prehung French doors are a great way to get more light, heat, and exterior views. They are made from wood and glass panels. Most prehung French doors have two doors to them that swing outward. They are a great way to add some new decoration to the home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shims
• 3 1/2 in. drywall screws
• Drill
• 2 in. nail
• Foam insulation
• Caulk
• Measuring tape
• 120 grit sandpaper

Installing Prehung French Doors

1. Place the door in the opening angling it towards the inside of the house. Ensure that the doors swing out. Put the bottom of the prehung French doors on the floor before lifting the top into the wall jambs.

2. Have the helper hold the prehung French doors in place so it does not fall. Center the door in the middle of the left and right wall jambs. Place the shims, which are small pieces of wood that hold the door in place, in the top and bottom corners on the outside edges of the prehung French door frame.

3. Place the level on the top of the door frame to ensure that the door is level. Do this for the left and right side of the prehung French door frame. Use the shims to level out the door on the left or right side. For example, if the level says that the top of the door frame on the left side needs to be moved to the left, then remove a shim from the top left of the door and add one to the top right side.

4. Screw the drywall screws into the door shims, by screwing them through the frame of the prehung French doors into the wall jamb. Do not screw them in all the way into the wall jamb. Ensure that the screws go into the jamb approximately 1/8 of an inch.

5. Screw the drywall screws into the outside door frame into the wall jamb. Do this every 14 inches starting at the left bottom side of the prehung French door frame. Screw the final screw in the bottom right hand corner of the prehung French doors. Do not skip this screw since it is less than 14 inches away from the previous screw.

6. Finish screwing in the screws that are placed in the door frame to hold the shims in place. Break them off, and sand them down flush with the door jamb. Put the insulation in between the prehung French doors and the wall jamb. Do not over stuff it.

7. Putty over the screw holes that are still visible on the inside of the French doors. After it is done drying, then sand it down flush with the frame and paint over it. Apply caulk on the outside of the prehung French doors if they lead outside of the house. Apply the caulk around the outside edges of the prehung French doors.

8. Place the casing or trim around the gaps in the wall jamb and the French doors. Hammer in nails every 14 inches starting at the bottom left again. Putty over the nail holes, sand, and paint it.

References

• How to Install Prehung French Doors
• How To Install A Prehung Door
• Another approach to installing prehung doors