Q&A for How to Install an Exterior Door

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How do I weatherproof the door?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

There are a lot of different styles of weatherproofing you can use for a door. Some go on the outside of the door. Some require a special tool that you use to cut a groove around the door slab so you can push a rubber gasket into it that goes all the way around the door. You can always add threshold weather stripping as well if you have a draft coming under the door.

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Question

The frame is plumb, but the door itself is off. How do I correct this?

Community Answer

Install hinge shims to correct it. They install under the hinge, just loosen the screws and insert.

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Question

Is a metal flashing required under an exterior replacement pre-hung door threshold?

Community Answer

Yes, some type of flash should be installed. You can buy sill pan kitsch, or use metal flashing. Just follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

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Question

Should a door swing 90 degrees, or 110?

Community Answer

A door should be able to swing around to 170-180 degrees. To avoid damage to the wall, use door stoppers.

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Question

Can I install an exterior door to open outward?

Community Answer

Yes, if the frame installed allows it to do so and there is adequate space for the door to swing open freely.

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Question

What should I do if my door has a space around it?

Community Answer

Buy a replacement door to fit the opening or frame up the opening to fit the door you have.

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Question

What is best when the base of an exterior door it sits on is not level?

Community Answer

If the floor is notched or not level, get a 2x8 or similar board to level it.

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Question

Which direction should the offset of the hinge go?

Community Answer

In my experience, backwards is always best as it lets less of a draft through.

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Question

What steps should be followed when fixing the door?

Community Answer

That's going to depend entirely on what's wrong with the door. If you have a specific problem, try looking up that specific issue to find instructions on correcting it.

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