Installation of exterior doors can dramatically improve the appearance of your home and improve its curb appeal. It's important to note that installing exterior doors is one of the easiest do-it-yourself projects you can do and is an easy Saturday task. The first step before installing exterior doors is to choose which types you'd like to purchase and then deciding what state you'd like to receive them in. You can buy them in a prehung state or you can order one in the bare state and install the hardware, doorknobs and stain or paint it yourself. It depends entirely on what you would like to do and how much of the project you'd like to take on.
Exterior wood doors are great for those homes that have brick or vinyl siding. The right door can beautify your home and improve its overall aesthetic appeal. If you order your doors in a prehung state, installation is simplified and easy for the average homeowner.
Prehung exterior doors come with the door already hung in the jamb and the hinges are mortised into the doors and screwed in place. The exterior doors are held in place by pins and holes are bored into the exterior doors for the lock set if needed and also the deadbolt if you have one.
Exterior doors can come in wood, fiberglass, vinyl and steel. The type of material you pick is entirely up to you. Exterior doors come in two sizes -- 32” and 36”-- and with the sizes of appliances and furniture, the most popular choice is 36”. Standard height for exterior doors is 6'8 tall, however you can also special order your doors if necessary.
To properly install exterior doors, you need to first check to make sure the opening is the correct size. The width of the opening needs to be 2 inches wider than the exterior doors and an opening height of 83 inches will work with most manufactured exterior doors.
Installation of exterior doors is best done with the assistance of another person and you should seriously consider this prospect when attempting to do it alone. You should place the door in the opening from the outside and lightly drive the nails into the proper places. Once the exterior doors are in the opening, go inside and check around the door. Make sure the fittings and hardware are flush and then you can begin to hammer in the nails to finish the installation process. Hanging new exterior doors is a wonderful way to make your home look like new again and beautify the outside with minimal time and effort.
