Exterior doors need to be secure.
Exterior doors take a lot of punishment during their lifetime having to cope with different weather conditions all year round. Both doors and frames can be susceptible to rotting caused by water ingress and when this happens the door and frame will need replacing. Leaving doors in poor condition can lead to damage on the inside of your property from water and make your house cold as they no longer keep out draughts. Installing new exterior doors is a job that can be completed by a competent DIY enthusiast, which will save him money.
Instructions
1. Remove screws from the door hinges with the screwdriver and lift the door out of the frame. If screws have been painted over, place the screwdriver on the head and tap with a hammer before unscrewing.
2. Take out screws surrounding the door jam with the screwdriver and remove any nails with the pry bar. Push the door frame away from the wall and remove it from the door opening taking care not to damage plasterwork.
3. Push a z-flashing strip across the top of the opening to stop water getting in over the top of the door. Apply a 3/4-inch caulk bead around the door opening with a caulking gun making sure the bead runs along the bottom of the z-flashing.
4. Fit the new pre hung door into the opening pushing it firmly against the caulk bead. Hold the spirit level along the bottom of the frame to make sure it is straight. Push shims beneath the door sill to raise the low side if needed.
5. Check the spacing around the frame and the wall from the inside. Insert shims into any gaps to ensure the door frame keeps straight when fully secured into the opening.
6. Drill pilot holes into both sides of the doorjamb behind the weather strip using the drill and wood drill bit. Space the holes evenly using three along the top and bottom jamb and four down each side. Screw masonry screws into the wall through the pilot holes using the screwdriver.
7. Close the door and ensure it opens and closes without snagging the frame. Cut any shims with the utility knife by scoring them and snapping off the excess so that they are flat against the frame edge. Apply caulk around the outside of the frame and under the door sill.
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