How to Replace an Entry Door
Several factors contribute to the need for replacing an entry door. Among these factors are the elements, the age of the home and the frequency in which the entry door is utilized. The cost of the replacement door is unavoidable, however installation charges are. Performing this installation yourself eliminates these unnecessary installation fees saving you a considerable amount of money.
Supplies:
- Entry door with hardware
- Sill flashing
- Box cutter
- Measuring tape
- Permanent marker
- Caulking gun and tube of caulking
- Foam insulation
- Battery-powered screwdriver
- Disconnect the existing entry door. With the aid of an assistant unscrew the bottom door hinge bracket. Repeat this step for the top door hinge bracket.
- Position the old entry door in a location away from the work area.
- Measure and mark six inches from the bottom of the doorframe on each side.
- Install one layer of sill flashing beginning at one six-inch mark, along the threshold area and then back to the second 6-inch marking. Repeat this step for an additional layer of sill flashing.
- Measure 1/2 inch from each corner of the sill flashing. Mark these locations with the permanent marker.
- Measure and mark 1-3/4 inch from the doorframe exterior.
- Measure and mark 1-1/4 inch from the doorframe blocking.
- Apply caulking on the markings you made in steps 6 and 7 using the caulking gun.
- Apply caulking along the door's threshold area.
- Place the bottom portion of the door on top of the caulking applied to the threshold area.
- Tilt the top portion of the door into the doorframe against the areas caulked in step 8.
- Install foam insulation in between the doorframe and the existing door opening.
- Secure the door hinges with the provided screws using the battery-powered screwdriver.