I am looking at replacing my master bedroom door. I have been looking at various styles and materials for the past couple of months. Well, I have made a choice and would now like to try to install the pre-hung door myself. Can you give me some tips on how best to install this type of door? It is important that you know that I own very few tools. Can I do this type of project?
Thank you,
Colleen
Dear Colleen,
If you have patience and are very detailed oriented, installing this type of door can be accomplished with a high degree of success. Here are some easy to follow instructions that will help you with your project.
• Measure the height and width of your existing door to insure you purchase the proper sized replacement door. You will also want to measure the thickness of the wall.
• Place a work cloth on the floor to protect it against scratching. Remove trim and then remove jambs and then the door.
• New pre-hung doors come with the door attached to the jamb. The unit is also braced to keep it square during travel, as well as when you set it into place prior to attaching it. However, you will want to remove the brace attached to the bottom of the door and jambs prior to setting the unit into place.
• Set the door perfectly centered into the rough opening. Check to see that the door sits squarely in the opening and that it is plumb as well. I would recommend that you have another person on site to help place and hold the door as you secure it. The extra pair of hands will serve you better than a roll of duct tape.
• Shim both sides of the door by installing tapered wooden shims on both sides of the door. Place your sets of shims at the top, middle and bottom of the door.
• Now you are ready to fine tune the shimming as you nail the jamb into place. Starting on the hinges side of the door, adjust the shims and then nail (do not fully set the nail, as you will want to adjust) the jamb into place. Start at the bottom hinge and then work your way up. Make sure that the unit stays level and square and at the proper height as you proceed. Then repeat the process on the other side.
• Check the door for even spacing between the door and the jambs. Open the door and check for swing. If adjustments are completed, go around and set all of the nails. Install your doorknob.
• Using a small hand saw, go around and cut the shims off flush to the wall, then install your trim.
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine and appears locally on WCSH’s 207. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.