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DIYers, how hard is it to replace an exterior door?
Posted on 4/8/18 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 4/8/18 at 12:38 pm
We were replacing our fridge and tore off a rotten section of the door jamb and brick mold. Now there’s a six inch gap at the bottom of the door jam. I’ve been wanting to replace the front door anyway because it’s some 80’s era 9 light.
So how difficult would it be for me to install a pre-hung door myself?
It’s a brick house if that matters.
TIA. Here’s something for your help.
So how difficult would it be for me to install a pre-hung door myself?
It’s a brick house if that matters.
TIA. Here’s something for your help.
10
Posted on 4/8/18 at 1:30 pm to alajones
Hard is relative. Have you ever replaced an interior door, how handy are you, etc? Depending how comfortable you are with your skills it isn’t that bad. If the door isn’t too heavy you can possibly do it on your own.
Posted on 4/8/18 at 2:13 pm to alajones
I would say it's going to depend on how far that rot goes. If it's limited to the jamb, you'll be okay. If it's into the casing, it's a bigger job.
Posted on 4/8/18 at 3:05 pm to GoldenD
I’ve never replaced a door. I do consider myself relatively handy.
Like I’ve replaced plumbing, patched drywall, redone floors, etc.
A new one is $300 at Lowe’s, they want about $300 more to install it.
Like I’ve replaced plumbing, patched drywall, redone floors, etc.
A new one is $300 at Lowe’s, they want about $300 more to install it.
This post was edited on 4/8/18 at 3:07 pm
Posted on 4/8/18 at 3:49 pm to alajones
All depends on the tools you have. A good level to start with. Most problems are removing the old thresh hole along with what kind of flooring you have inside.
You will need a sawsall to cut nails that hold the frame.
Good chance, all new trim for the inside.
Need a few packs of door wedges.
I give it a 5 on skill level were 10 is master level.
Youtube will be your friend too!
You will need a sawsall to cut nails that hold the frame.
Good chance, all new trim for the inside.
Need a few packs of door wedges.
I give it a 5 on skill level were 10 is master level.
Youtube will be your friend too!
Posted on 4/8/18 at 3:53 pm to alajones
It's not too bad. I've done three on my house by myself. Buy spacers of different sizes, and level thr hinge side first. Then try getting the others level. Open and close door checking for gaps between the door and the frame.
Posted on 4/8/18 at 6:48 pm to alajones
I consider myself to be very handy. I’ve renovated so much that I may as well have built my house myself. Having said that, I replaced my front door by myself a year ago and stopped just short of blowing the house to timbucktoo over it. For some reason hanging interior and exterior doors always defeats me but I can replace the roof, build sheds from scratch, remove walls, replace Sheetrock, float said Sheetrock, install light fixtures and install new HVACs and ductwork.
I can do almost everything but ask me to replace a damn door and I will entertain you with frustration, anger, swearing, kicking & ripping out $250 materials along with other forms of psychotic behavior for three hours before I finally realize I was doing it all wrong fromthe start.
I can do almost everything but ask me to replace a damn door and I will entertain you with frustration, anger, swearing, kicking & ripping out $250 materials along with other forms of psychotic behavior for three hours before I finally realize I was doing it all wrong fromthe start.
Posted on 4/8/18 at 7:09 pm to TDsngumbo
Doors are one of those things that look simple but you definitely need to know the tricks of the trade to do them right and in a reasonable amount of time. I got to where I could hang and trim out an interior door in under 15 minutes. Exterior doors are much harder simply because you don't have the level freedom to adjust them to the rough opening like you would an interior door.
Posted on 4/8/18 at 7:38 pm to Clames
What always slows people down is that, on TV, the openings are always square. I'm remodeling the bathrooms of my 80 year old house, and not a damn thing lined up correctly 
OP, YouTube will be the saving grace here
OP, YouTube will be the saving grace here
Posted on 4/8/18 at 8:26 pm to alajones
anyone can put a door in
not everyone can do it and have it square and level
its not something for a first timer to do, just saying
oh, and fully paint all around and under the door and trim, most people, even carpenters fail to do this and it seals out moisture and extends the life of the wood if you do it.
not everyone can do it and have it square and level
its not something for a first timer to do, just saying
oh, and fully paint all around and under the door and trim, most people, even carpenters fail to do this and it seals out moisture and extends the life of the wood if you do it.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 5:03 am to alajones
I redid all my interior doors at my first house. Paid someone to do the only exterior door we changed. Would pay them again. Interior doors are just easier to manage due to weight, so making adjustments is a little easier. Plus I you have a lot more room for error as it doesn't need to make a seal. If lowes is too much, there are plenty of "handymen" that'll do it. But who knows what the quality will be.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 7:02 am to alajones
Exterior doors are not that bad.
In your case order one with no rot jambs seems like you have an exposed door.
How to flash around a door to keep water out from between the jam and the stud on an exposed door.
I seen my neighbor have a homedepot contractor which is a joke put in a French Door for him. Water leaked from the side not the door. Found out after looking at it the door was exposed and there was no flashing to keep the water out. He complained to homedepot and they claimed this guy was an experienced door hanger. I told him to call the contractor board and the contractor homedepot used was working with an expired contractors license. Homedepot gave him his money back.
He bought a door with no rot jambs, I helped him flash it and install it. 8 years later no issues.
In your case order one with no rot jambs seems like you have an exposed door.
How to flash around a door to keep water out from between the jam and the stud on an exposed door.
I seen my neighbor have a homedepot contractor which is a joke put in a French Door for him. Water leaked from the side not the door. Found out after looking at it the door was exposed and there was no flashing to keep the water out. He complained to homedepot and they claimed this guy was an experienced door hanger. I told him to call the contractor board and the contractor homedepot used was working with an expired contractors license. Homedepot gave him his money back.
He bought a door with no rot jambs, I helped him flash it and install it. 8 years later no issues.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 9:25 am to alajones
If you are diy then that means you can spend all weekend on it if you have to and get it right. Shouldn't take that long of course but you will get it right if you are patient.
I will say what others have said and stress proper flashing/sealing if on an exposed side of house. Thankfully most architects aren't completely retarded and don't often leave doors exposed like that. If tucked away under an eave like all doors should be then your install will be a lot more forgiving.
I will say what others have said and stress proper flashing/sealing if on an exposed side of house. Thankfully most architects aren't completely retarded and don't often leave doors exposed like that. If tucked away under an eave like all doors should be then your install will be a lot more forgiving.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 9:30 am to TDsngumbo
I believe that i CAN do anything handy...
But every project i participate in includes this.
quote:
I can do almost everything but ask me to replace a damn door and I will entertain you with frustration, anger, swearing, kicking & ripping out $250 materials along with other forms of psychotic behavior for three hours before I finally realize I was doing it all wrong fromthe start.
But every project i participate in includes this.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 10:34 am to alajones
quote:
So how difficult would it be for me to install a pre-hung door myself?
That is easier to do for an interior door versus exterior, but generally if you consider yourself a basic carpenter, you should get through it with youtube help. You might have to do some very light drywall patching after and, obviously some paint but some of these prehung jobs go pretty clean.
Good luck.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 10:49 am to alajones
It's really not bad at all. If you are handy it should be no problem. Just give yourself plenty of time and have an extra pair of hands available. Like others have mentioned you want to flash and weatherproof the opening for the new door. The door you purchase should include instructions on how to do this for the door. Make sure you buy a couple of packs of wood shims. Place wood shims behind the hinges and remove a screw from each hinge and drive a long screw into the framing.
Posted on 4/9/18 at 12:12 pm to fishfighter
quote:
All depends on the tools you have. A good level to start with. Most problems are removing the old thresh hole along with what kind of flooring you have inside.
You will need a sawsall to cut nails that hold the frame.
Good chance, all new trim for the inside.
Need a few packs of door wedges.
I give it a 5 on skill level were 10 is master level.
I did my first time w/o having any problems. I bought a pre hung door and didn't have any rot or other problems other than replacing the door. Shims, level, good drill and wood screws, and great stuff to seal the gap b/t the jamb and the frame. Was about a 4 hour job when I was a novice. Replacing the moldings if you have to miter cut them will probably be your toughest task.
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