Wooden exterior door installation generally requires advanced skills, and should be left to professional contractors, however if you do possess some skills in construction and would like to opt for a do-it-yourself, make sure your know what you're doing. Follow closely the installation instructions for your particular type of door, because these instructions will vary depending on the door type as well as the manufacturer. If you've never even done some mild repairing around the house, hiring professionals is the best option.
First if all, to do the exterior door installation yourself, you will need:
- a pre-hung door with lockset
- screws
- spray foam insulation
- shims
- finishing nails
- trim
- caulking
Also, for a pre-hung exterior door installation, you will need a level, measuring tape, hammer, drill (or screwdriver) and a caulking gun. Then, to proceed to the actual exterior door installation, first of all remove the old door and frame. Check the threshold and make sure it is leveled and the opening is plumb. If it is not leveled properly, use shims to level the sub sill. Door sizes may vary, but ideally there ought to be about 1" of space between the rough-in studs and outer doorjamb. For example, a 36" door will be 37-1/2" with the door casing, requiring a rough opening of 38-1/2". Take two beads of caulking and caulk the threshold just inside the front and back of the sill, applying the caulk from one stud right to the other. To ensure that cold air will not come in from the sides of the door's bottom, you can go an inch or so up the side before continuing the exterior door installation.
In any exterior installation, the door must be tilted into place from the outside, bottom part first. The pre-hung door must be centered in the rough opening, shimming the frame tightly in place at the bottom and at the top. Then, shim the rest of the door into place, shimming the hinge side of the door just behind the three hinges, the lock side of the door, the part below the lockset, above the deadbolt and between the two. Also, shim the second positions just up from the bottom and down from the top. The top of the frame assembly should be shimmed as well, as needed. Once you've carefully shimmed the critical parts, adjust the shims and door assembly until the door is square and plumb, with a consistent 1/8" space between the door and the door jam, all around, for a proper exterior door installation..
Close the door, and check it from the outside and from the inside, for a perfect square position. Note that if the weather-stripping is uneven or pinched, your door is off plumb so you'll need to make some adjustments. Don't worry, it happens, it's fixable; the exterior door installation is not as easy as it may seem. Secure the door with the screws provided, starting with the hinges. Each hinge has a hole, allowing for the screw to be driven through the shims, For the rest of the door, drive the screws in through the weather-stripping at each shim location. Again, check the instructions of the manufacturer so you can follow the order recommended.
An important part of the exterior door installation process is insulation. Spray the expanding spray foam insulation between the rough frame and the outer door assembly, as well as in and around the shims. By spraying the foam you will insulate the door frame so air cannot get in around your door. Cut off any excess foam after it dries.
The exterior door installation must be done carefully and patiently, as it is a rather complicated process. To finish the job you need to install the lockset and trim. Be careful to follow closely the instructions of the manufacturer when installing the lockset and deadbolt, because security is an important issue with an exterior door. After you have fully installed the door and it opens and closes with precision, you can add interior and exterior trims to finish the job.
Bottom line, an exterior door installation indeed requires some pretty advanced skills, but if you have the determination, strength, practical sense and at least some handyman skills, it is doable as a do-it-yourself project. Just follow these instructions and the instructions of the manufacturer, be careful and be patient. Visit http://www.woodenfrontdoors.org/ if you would like to find out more.
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