How to Hang a Prehung Exterior Door
Prehung doors are designed for quick and easy installation. They feature a door that is already hung within a frame, allowing the entire unit to be installed in one step. Because the door is prehung, the risk of installation errors is greatly reduced. The door is more likely to swing properly in the opening without catching or binding with the frame or floor. When installing these units, it's important to take the time to level the frame to ensure the door will operate as intended. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Prehung door
- Level
- 2x4s
- Drill
- Screws
- Caulk
- Wooden shims
- Hammer
- Nails
- Insulation
- Trim or casing
Instructions
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1
Frame out the rough opening. Your prehung door will include installation instructions that indicate how large the rough opening must be. In general, the opening should be 1 inch larger than the frame along the top and both sides of the unit. Add 2x4's to frame out the opening to the required size.
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2
Check that the floor is level within the threshold of the opening. If it is not level, consider using wooden shims to build up low areas, or use sandpaper to sand down high spots.
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3
Keep the prehung door in a closed position as you install it. These units typically come with clips that hold the door in place during shipping. Leave these clips on the door until the project is complete.
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4
Apply a generous amount of construction caulk to the threshold, then set the prehung door into the opening. Try to center the unit within the opening so that there is an equal amount of space between the jambs and the wall on either side.
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5
Shim the frame to level it out as needed. Check both jambs and the header to see if the unit is plumb. Insert wooden shims below the base of the frame to raise one side as needed. Add shims between the jambs and the wall framing to level out the sides of the frame.
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6
Confirm that the unit is level and even, then drill 3" screws into the frame just below each hinge. Repeat this process on the other side of the frame at the same locations.
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7
Place batt insulation into the gaps along either side of the frame. Try to fill the space completely, but don't over-fill. Insulation that is overly compressed tends to lose its effectiveness.
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8
Add casing around the perimeter of the door to cover the insulation. Nail the casing in place with small finish nails. Repeat this process on both sides of the door. Caulk around the frame at the joint where it meets the wall. This will help weather-proof the opening.
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