How to Hang a Pre-Hung Front Door With Sidelights

Installing a new sidelighted entry door can transform a dark or boring entry area into an attractive and inviting introduction to your home. Sidelight doors are commonly available in widths from 4 to 12 feet, with an almost infinite range of door styles and glazing options. An added advantage is that the substantial frame required makes installation less complicated than smaller, less aesthetically pleasing entry doors.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Builders level
• Framing square
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Prehung entry door & sidelight assembly
• Wood shims
• Utility knife
• 10d finish nails
• 2½-inch plated deck screws
• Nail set

Instructions

1. Verify that the wall opening is square. Measure diagonally across the opening from the bottom left to the top right corners, then from the top left to the bottom right corners. The two diagonal dimensions must be within 1 inch. Adjust the opening as necessary.

2. Confirm that the floor of the wall opening is level by positioning a builders level centered in the opening. Slide wood shims under the level at the low side to adjust the level, if necessary, until the bubble is centered. Install deck screws to make certain the subfloor material is secured firmly to the joists across the entire opening.

3. Remove the door from the jamb assembly by removing the hinge pins. Set the door aside.

4. Insert the door jamb frame assembly into the rough opening. Shift the frame in the wall opening to equalize the space between the wall framing and the door on the both sides of the opening. Align the face of the door frame with the adjacent wall surface.

5. Hold the door frame plumb. Fill the space between the wall framing at the top hinge height and at the side of the jamb frame with a sufficient number of shims to fit tightly. Verify the frame is still plumb and aligned. Secure the frame with 10d finish nails driven horizontally through the jamb and stack of shims, into the opening's trimmer stud. Repeat the shim procedure on the opposite side of the door frame.

6. Repeat Step 5 at the bottom hinge location on both sides of the door frame. Check that the door remains plumb and square to the adjacent wall. Use a framing square to verify the corners of the frame's door opening and sidelight frames remain square.

7. Repeat Step 5 at the middle hinge location, as well as 3 to 4 inches from the top and bottom corners, at each side of the frame assembly.

8. Install the door in the opening, replacing all of the hinge pins. Close the door to verify a consistent gap between the door edges and the opening at the top and both sides.

9. Open the door and insert shims, as necessary, to fill the space between the header beam and the top of the door frame until shims are tight against the jamb without pushing it down. Close the door to make certain the door gap at the top of the jamb is equal and consistent, between 1/8 and 3/16 inches wide across the top of the door. Secure the frame and shims with two 10d finish nails through the jamb and shim stack, into the header beam.

10. Repeat the positioning of shim stacks, spaced 12 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches from each top corner, to secure the top of the frame to the header beam.

11. Install the door sill screws provided by the manufacturer at each screw hole in the sill. Secure the sidelight frames to the floor with 10d finish nails.

12. Use a utility knife or small hand saw to cut all of the protruding shim stacks around the perimeter of the frame assembly. Cut them flush with the wall framing or jamb face.

Tips & Warnings

• Always insert wood shims by alternating them from the exterior and interior. This counterbalances the wedges, keeping the shim surface flat and perpendicular to the frame and preventing twisting or distortion of the jamb.

• As someone to help you with this project. Exterior door and sidelight assemblies are extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver.

• Include all of the manufacturer's specifications in the handling and installation of the door assembly to meet specific requirements and protect the product warranty.