The installation of an exterior door is a project that can enhance a home’s curb appeal and security. Several manufacturers, such as Pella and Steves Doors, provide detailed instructions to guide homeowners and professionals through the process. Proper installation is crucial, not only for aesthetic reasons but also to maintain warranty validity and prevent water intrusion. This article details the steps involved in exterior door installation, drawing exclusively from available documentation.
Preparation and Receiving the Door
Prior to beginning the installation, careful preparation is essential. Steves Doors documentation recommends receiving and inspecting the door unit upon arrival. If the door is delivered on a pallet, it should be carefully unpacked, and all fasteners removed. The door should be inspected for any cosmetic or freight damage. It is also important to confirm that the received product matches the order—verifying the style, size, color, handing, and swing. Checking the door unit within four days of delivery is recommended to ensure warranty coverage.
Initial preparation also involves creating the rough opening. Documentation specifies that the rough opening should be a minimum of 1 inch wider and taller than the outside of the door system being installed. It is critical to ensure that the rough opening and the subsill, the area under where the sill will rest, are level. Shims or a beveled board can be used to achieve levelness, and a spacer board may be necessary if the door needs to clear a high floor, such as thick carpeting. Throughout the preparation phase, periodic checks with a leveler are advised to prevent a tilted door or frame.
Removing the Existing Door
Before installing the new door, the existing door and frame must be removed. This process involves scoring the caulking between the molding and the wall with a pry bar and hammer to break the seal. The doorjamb, framing, and threshold should then be carefully pried away, and any old caulking scraped off.
Dry-Fitting and Placement
A crucial step in the installation process is dry-fitting the new door. This involves placing the door into the opening without securing it to ensure proper fit. If any issues are identified during this stage, such as incorrect sizing or unevenness, they must be addressed before proceeding.
Once the dry fit is satisfactory, the door can be carefully inserted into the opening. It is recommended to work from the outside of the house, tilting the top of the door outward while sliding it into place. Assistance from another person may be beneficial, depending on the door’s weight. The door should be centered in the opening, and the frame should fit snugly.
Securing the Door and Frame
With the door in place, the next step is to secure it. Shims should be placed on the hinge side of the door, behind the points where the hinges will be attached to the door frame. The shims and frame assembly should be arranged until the door is plumb in both directions, maintaining a consistent gap of approximately 1/8 inch between the edge of the door and the jamb.
Once adjusted, the door can be temporarily secured using 16d finishing nails driven lightly through the hinge jamb near the hinge locations. After ensuring proper alignment, 3-inch screws should be driven through the shims at the hinge sites on the hinge jamb to permanently secure the frame. The remaining jambs should also be secured around the door, driving screws or nails through the shims.
Sill Pan Installation and Weatherproofing
A critical component of exterior door installation is the sill pan, which protects against water infiltration. Installation instructions for the specific sill pan model should be followed to ensure a correct fit for the door’s configuration and size.
Weatherproofing is a crucial final step. Silicone caulk should be applied around the entire outside of the door where the exterior trim meets the jamb and the wall. Caulk should also be applied where the sill meets the jamb and slab, and wedge pads should be installed at the bottom of both sides of the frame.
Finishing Touches
After securing and weatherproofing the door, any protruding shims should be scored and snapped off to create a flush surface. The exterior trim can then be installed. Inside, a conservative amount of door and window foam can be used to fill the gap between the jamb and the stud, followed by the installation of the interior trim. Finally, the primed jamb should be finished with exterior paint or stain to complete the installation.
Tools Recommended
Several tools are recommended for exterior door installation. These include:
- Tape measure
- 2-foot and 4-foot levels
- Putty knife
- Broom
- Sill pan
- Caulking gun
- Silicone caulk
- Finish nails
- Hammer
- Hack saw or metal snips (if needed)
- PVC cement
- Painter’s tape
- Shims
- Screwdriver or hammer
- 2.5-inch trim screws or finish nails
- Utility knife
- Wood saw
- Punch
- Framers hammer
- Framing square
- Door and window foam
- Safety mask (recommended)
- Paint brush
- Paint/stain of your choice
Steves Doors documentation notes that the following items are supplied with the door unit: an instruction manual and 2.5-inch screws.
Warranty Considerations
Maintaining warranty coverage requires adherence to specific guidelines. Steves Doors documentation emphasizes the importance of installing a sill pan to prevent water intrusion, even in cases where an overhang is present. Additionally, the door should be installed and finished within 60 days of receipt to maintain warranty validity.
Conclusion
The installation of an exterior door requires careful preparation, precise execution, and attention to detail. Following manufacturer-provided instructions, such as those from Pella and Steves Doors, is essential for a successful installation. Proper installation not only enhances the aesthetic appeal and security of a home but also ensures long-term performance and maintains warranty coverage. Key steps include accurate measurements, proper shimming and securing, thorough weatherproofing, and timely finishing.