How To Install Exterior French Doors In Existing Opening
Run a bead of high quality sealant along the exposed framing where the new door s exterior trim will meet the wall and across the floor where the door s threshold will sit.
How to install exterior french doors in existing opening. If an existing door is damaged or worn you can put a new one into the doorway. Installing exterior french doors isn t much more difficult than installing interior french doors if you already have the opening. Fiberglass doors are a great alternative to traditional wooden doors they are easy to maintain and offer superb durability insulation and versatility in appearance and style. A popular choice for exterior doors steel provides superior security and weather resistance without proper care these doors may rust over time.
Prep the opening figure out your space s opening for where you want install your doors. You re more than likely going to be removing the drywall and or trim around the space. If you choose to install a front door made of steel you will need a helper. To install exterior french doors you can follow similar instructions to those on the previous page for installing interior french doors though you have to remember to seal your opening carefully to protect the.
Installing an exterior door that is insulated and made of steel can be heavy and cumbersome due to the weight of the materials. Installation costs do not differ by material. Older homes have non standard sized openings so you may need to install a new jamb inside the opening to fit the french doors of your choice. Often the easiest solution is to remove the existing jambs and casing and install a prehung door.
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. How to install exterior and interior french doors in a existing opening step 1. The top leg should slide up behind the housewrap or tarpaper that s behind the siding. However if your doorway is square or if the existing trim is difficult to replace you can keep the doorway and replace the door.
Pre hung doors eliminate many of the steps necessary to installing a door.