How to Replace a Rotting Door with Brick Molding

Weather will cause your exterior wood doors to decay and deteriorate over time if not properly protected. If the bottom of the door and brick molding is rotten and falls apart when poked with a screwdriver, it is a strong indicator that you have wood rot. The door will have to be removed, and a new door installed. The do-it-yourself handyman can remove and replace a door in a few hours with the proper tools and information.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Trim pry bar
• Trim pliers
• Screwdriver
• Power screwdriver
• Saw-zaw
• Crowbar
• Wood screws
• Primer
• Paintbrush
• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• 4-Foot carpenter's level
• Wood shims
• Finish nails
• Hammer
• Nail set

Instructions

1. Measure the existing door. Write down the width, height and thickness of the door. Place your back against the hinges and whatever side the doorknob is on is the door swing. If it is on your right, the door is a right-hand door.

2. Remove the interior door casing from the existing door. Use a trim pry bar to tap between the the trim and the door jamb. Once you have a small gap, gently pry the door casing away from the jamb and remove it carefully. Reuse this trim later after you pull any finish nails through the back of the trim with trim pliers.

3. Unscrew the door hinges from the door. You can remove the door quickly this way and have more room to work. Use a power screwdriver to remove the wood screws.

4. Remove the screws from the door jamb. Check the door jamb to see where it has been screwed to the wall framing. With the casing removed, you will be able to see the shims between the door jamb and the wall framing. There should be a screw at these locations securing the door jamb to the studs. The screws are usually hidden behind the weatherstripping on exterior doors. Remove these screws with a power screwdriver. If you cannot remove some, cut them off with a saw-zaw between the door jamb and the wall studs. A saw-zaw is a reciprocating saw.

5. Remove the old door jamb from the exterior of the house and set it aside. It should pull out toward you. The door threshold may be stuck in place with a adhesive and need to be pried out with a crowbar. The new door will come with a new door threshold.

6. Clean the wall studs of any old foam insulation and shims. If any nails are sticking out, hammer them flush with the wall studs. Clean any adhesive from the foundation before you slide the new door in place. Remove any exterior caulk that remains on the siding where it met the exterior brick molding.

7. Remove the door from the new door jamb by removing the door screws from the door hinge and jamb. Save the screws to reuse later in the installation. Set the door aside carefully so not to damage it.

8. Paint a good door primer on the door jamb and exterior brick molding. This is normally where the door will start to rot first because of weathering. Apply a coat of caulk at the door, brick molding, and the threshold. This will help keep moisture from gaining access to the end grain of the door jamb. Paint the exterior of the door jamb for protection.

9. Apply a coat of silicone door sealant to the foundation where the threshold will be located. Slide the door jamb into the rough opening from the exterior of the house. Place the door back into the door jamb and screw it back through the door hinges. Leave one or two screws out of each hinge.

10. Place a 4-foot level on the door jamb at the hinge side to check that it is level and plumb. Use the 3-inch screws to anchor the door jamb through the hinges where the screws were left out. Use wood shims as needed to level the door. Anchor the other side of the door with 3-inch wood screws behind the weatherstrip. Place wood shims between the door jamb and the wall studs to fill the gap. Tighten the screws at the door jamb as needed to obtain a 1/8-inch gap between the door and door jamb. Use the 4-foot level to check that the door is plumb and level.

11. Caulk where the exterior brick molding meets the exterior siding, using a good exterior caulk. Reinstall the interior door casing on the new door. Nail through the existing holes where you pulled out the old finish nails. Countersink the finish head nails with a nail set. Fill the nail holes and repaint the door and trim.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses when using power tools.

References

• This Old House: How to Replace an Interior Door
• The Family Handyman: How to Replace an Exterior Entry Door
• Online Tips: How to Replace an Entry Door