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Installing the Main Entry Door
If you're a homeowner handyman, and installing a door is a problem area , you now have no more reason to fear. learning how to do this will open up a whole new confidence level. The reason being that a new door can change the look and style of any home, as well as increase the value of your home. Plus, new entry door units have much better weather stripping, and seal better than older units.
The entry door is the most difficult door to replace and once you've mastered this type of door all the others are pretty easy, usually the interior doors are much lighter and easier to work with.
A combination storm/screen door will usually follow the same procedure of the entry door, though sometimes it can get a little complicated. If you're unsure how to do it, look at your manufacturer's information for more instructions.Some of the storm doors come through to install left or right swing so you'll have to use the template and drill holes for your specific application.
Remove the old door obviously to replace it. You'll have to open the door, and stick a piece of wood under the door to take the weight off. Usually, the door will have a hinge that contains a pin that you can tap out with a punch and a hammer. After years of paint this is a bit difficult.
Once the hinges have been taken off, you can take the door off the frame.
Take a circular saw and cut the jambs about half way down and remove jambs,usually this method works great and the jambs,with a little prying fall apart.
Now it is time to measure and make sure you got the right size door,any rough opening that is 1/2" to 1" is fine.If the door assembly is a little undersize,not a problem,add a piece of wood to better fit the unit
Center the unit in the opening with the caseings removed and the door closed.Level the sill and shim between the side jambs at the bottom,tacking through both jambs and shims into the trimmer studs.
Plumb the side jambs,shim at the top,and tach.
Shim at several intermediate points along the side jambs and tack through the shims,makeing sure that the proper joint between the door and jamb is maintained.
Check the operation of the door to see that it opens and closes without sticking or binding.Make any final adjustments,and complete the job by driveing and setting all nails,and putting a screw in each hinge going through to the trimmer studs.
If you take your time and research the project a bit you should do just fine,the entry door is one of the more challengeing projects around the house and after that interior doors and even windows will be easy.
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