How To Install A Prehung Exterior Door Frame

Remove the old door.

How to install a prehung exterior door frame. Begin installation by first running a thick bead of latex caulk along the subseal at the bottom of the old door opening. How to install an exterior door. If you are using a prehung door in your construction project you ll need to frame an opening for it as you prepare the wall where it will go. We ll walk you through the entire process of framing for an exterior door including cutting through drywall assembling new studs and building a new door frame.

Check for plumb and shim the frame as necessary. Then lift the new pre hung door into the center of the rough opening positioning the bottom seal first then tilting the door into place. If you re looking to add a new exterior door to your home whether it s a pair of french doors that swing out onto your patio or a dutch door that brings cottage charm to your front entry you ve come to the right place. If you choose to install a front door made of steel you will need a helper.

Installing an exterior door that is insulated and made of steel can be heavy and cumbersome due to the weight of the materials. The key things to remember are setting the door level shimming the frame so the gaps between it and the door are even and taking steps to waterproof the installation. Next create a rough opening around your frame that s at least 1 inch wider and taller than the outside of the door system you re installing then insert the new door into the opening and place shims on the hinge side of the door making sure there s a gap of 1 8th inch between the edge of the door and the jamb. For instructions on interior doors read how to install a prehung interior door.

Measure both the door and rough opening to make sure the door is the right size. You should be able to complete this project in less than a day. Keep in mind that installing a prehung door means you ll have a large hole in your home for some time. Try leaving around a 1 4 gap between the door frame and the wall when screwing in the door installation bracket.

This will give you the dimensions that you will need to frame. Step one plan the opening. A prehung door comes already mounted into a frame and is installed all at once.