How to Install an Entry Front Door

The perfect front door can set the mood of any home. An attractive front door is inviting and encourages visitors to enter. A quality front door can also save the homeowner money by preventing air leaks and the loss of heating and cooling. Replacing a front door is a project that can be completed in a weekend but does require some planning.

Things You'll Need

• Reciprocating saw
• Hammer
• Galvanized nails
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Aluminum tape

Instructions

1. Remove the trim work around the existing door. This will provide access the door frame and allow access to the interior casing.

2. Cut through the nails that are securing the door to the frame of the house with a reciprocating saw. Start at the bottom side of the door and place the saw in the space between the door frame and the frame of the house. Move the saw up as each nail is severed. Be sure to use a blade that is designed to cut nails to prevent damage to the saw.

3. Remove the door from the house once all the nails are cut. The door should be able to be pulled forward and away from the house.

4. Place a level on the door sill at the bottom of the opening and check that it is level. If it is not level add shims as necessary to make the sill level.

5. Place aluminum tape under the top of the door opening. Fold it back around the top frame board of the door opening and tape into place. This will be used to create a watertight seal for the new door.

6. Run aluminum tape across the sill at the bottom of the opening and up the sides 6 inches. This will help to seal the bottom of the door as well.

7. Set the bottom of the new door in place on top of the prepared sill. Tip the door up and into position. It is likely two people will be needed to complete this step safely.

8. Secure the door temporarily in place with a couple nails on either side of the door driven through the door frame and into the frame of the house.

9. Use a level and check that the sides of the new door frame are plumb. Measure the door diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner and from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. If the measurements are the same then the door is square.

10. Open and close the door and check that the gap between the door and the door frame is uniform the entire length of the door.

11. Finish securing the door to the frame of the house by securing the nailing strip of the door to the frame of the house with galvanized nails.

12. Seal the nail strip with a strip of aluminum tape to prevent air leaks.

13. Replace the trim that was removed or nail up new trim over the nailing strips to finish off the rough appearance where the door frame and the house frame meet.

14. Install the new door handle and deadbolt. Refer to manufacturer's instructions while installing new door hardware.

References

• Ron Hazelotn's HouseCalls: How to Install A Front Entry Door