Glass Entry Door Installation Tips

February 21, 2015

Tired of your old front door? Is the old entry door weathered and rotted? Are you ready to change the appearance of your home? Upgrading to a Glass Entry Door can change the entire look of your house. Here are a few Glass Entry Door Installation Tips to help you with your project:

Safety Tip

Pre-hung, glass entry doors can be quite heavy. You will need to recruit a friend to help you lift the assembly. Manhandling a pre-hung door is a two man job!

Remove the Old Door:

Carefully remove the old door and surrounding trim. Unscrew the hinges from the door frame and place the old door to the side. Use a pry-bar to remove the old door frame and exterior brick molding trim. Take care not to damage the surrounding siding.

Test Fit the New Door:

Place the door assembly in the rough opening. Use a carpenter’s level to check the door for plumb. While holding the door in place, use a carpenter’s pencil to draw a line around the perimeter of the door‘s brick-molding trim.

Trim the Adjacent Siding

Lay the new Glass Entry Door to the side while you trim the siding. Set the depth of your circular saw to the thickness of the siding. While wearing your safety glasses, cut along the line you have just made. Stop short of the corners and make the final cut with a sharp wood chisel.

Install the Building Paper

Fill any large gaps with insulation then install the building paper by stuffing it behind the siding and then wrapping it around the studded opening. Use a staple-gun to secure the wrap to the wood studs.

Install the Drip Edge

Attach the Drip Edge to the door header at the top of the rough opening. The drip edge will help to protect your brick molding from rain and moisture that would otherwise sit on top of the wood. It will also help to prevent a leak along the top edge of your installation.

Seal the Rough Opening

Apply multiple beads of caulking along the edge of the opening adjacent to the wood siding to fill any small gaps.

Set the Door

With the assistance of your helper, place the pre-hung door assembly into the rough opening. Push the perimeter brick molding tight up against the sheathing.

Shim the Door Frame

From the inside of your home, insert shims in the gap between the door jambs and the studs. Don’t over-stuff the shims as this may warp the jambs. The shims should be placed at the location of the 3 hinges and adjacent to the lockset. Additional shims should be placed every 12 inches around the perimeter of the frame. Check for plumb as you perform this task. Nail through the frame and shims to secure the door.

Final Steps | Glass Entry Door Installation Tips

Remove two of the screws on each hinge and replace them with longer screws that will reach the studs.
Nail the brick molding to the studs
Adjust the lower threshold to create a snug fit
Cut the shims flush with the frame
Stuff insulation in the gaps between the shims
Replace the interior trim
Seal the exterior of the brick molding with paintable caulking
Fill all nail holes
Paint the bare wood………….and you’re done!!!

Tools Required:

Carpenters Pencil
Electric Drill
Staple Gun
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Circular Saw
Hand Saw
Pry-bar
Carpenters Level
Utility Knife
Shims
Insulation
Building Paper
Drip Edge
Tape Measure
Wood Chisel
Hammer
Safety Glasses