How to Install an Exterior Door for Home Construction

Time for a new exterior door.

Exterior doors are the focus of attention for anyone entering your house. For this reason, do-it-yourself homeowners should learn all they can before installing an exterior door. Things to consider include door material, maintenance and ease of installation. Installation difficulty depends on the type of exterior door you choose. Heavy doors made from solid wood are among the most difficult to install because of their weight. The most common door chosen by those doing their own installation is the pre-hung door, which comes installed in an already assembled doorjamb.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-hung exterior door
• Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Nail pullers (optional)
• Carpenter's level
• Door shims
• 6-penny finish nails

Instructions

1. Stand up the door unit. Put a screwdriver under the top hinge pin. Tap it a few times to free the hinge pin from the hinge and remove it. Repeat this with the other two hinge pins.

2. Remove the nails or staples holding the door in the frame. Locate these on the side of the frame for the doorknob. Pull them out with a hammer or nail pullers.

3. Take the door from the frame and set it aside for now. Set the doorjamb in the opening for the door.

4. Place the carpenter's level on the hinge side of the doorjamb vertically. Adjust the frame as needed to make it plumb. Insert door shims to hold the doorjamb in place.

5. Drive a 6-penny finish nail through the frame and into the wall stud at the door opening. Do not drive it all the way in yet.

6. Set the carpenter's level on the top of the doorjamb. Adjust it as needed to make the doorjamb level. Insert door shims under the threshold if necessary. Drive a 6-penny finish nail through the doorjamb and into the header at the top of the door opening.

7. Put the carpenter's level on the hinge side of the doorjamb again to see if it moved. If not, drive the nail all the way in and finish securing the doorjamb in the door opening.

8. Install the door back on the hinges and insert the hinge pins. Tap them lightly to seat them in the hinges.

Tips & Warnings

• Install the exterior door with wood screws if desired.

• Always protect the door from the elements with the proper sealant.

References

• Bob Vila.com: Replacing an Exterior Door

Resources

• Consumer Reports.com: Doors: Material matters