If your home feels drafty or you’ve noticed an increase in your utility bills, it may be time to consider door installation Dallas TX. New doors prevent heat transfer and reduce energy costs.
Homeowners can choose from simple and pre-hung models to suit their needs and experience level. Pre-hung entries come prepared with shipping braces, shims and hinges.
Measure Your Rough Opening
When installing a new entryway, ensuring the right size is vital. Whether you’re upgrading an old door or adding a new barn or pocket door, a properly-sized opening will allow your installation to fit correctly.
Measuring the rough opening is an easy process that can be done with a tape measure and a pencil. Start by measuring the width and height of the existing rough opening. Then, take the measurements from jack stud to jack stud and header to floor, as well as wall to wall. A single door’s rough opening should be 2″ wider and 2 1/2″ taller than the door itself.
Remove Your Old Slab and Frame
Doors protect homes from weather and excess moisture, keep intruders out, and add an element of style. They also play a critical role in your home’s energy efficiency.
Many homeowners believe it would be faster, simpler and less expensive to hang a new slab in an existing frame. But this isn’t usually the case. It’s usually more efficient and cost-effective to replace both the slab and frame at the same time.
A high-quality door installation Dallas TX project will result in a better performing entryway that’s easier to seal and more visually appealing. But this isn’t a job that should be undertaken by amateurs without prior experience.
Attach Your Entry to the Rough Opening
Unless your door is pre-hung, you will need to frame a rough opening for it. The rough opening should be twice the width of your door slab plus 1 inch. Install the header and sill using the kit’s instructions, then fit the split studs for your pocket door frame. Ensure the split studs are level and plumb within your rough opening by using a bubble level and wood shims as necessary.
Fill any gaps with caulking. This will keep air from escaping around your doors and help prevent rot.
Add Shims to Your Jambs
If your entryway isn’t level, it can rub against the floor when you close your door. This can damage both your floor and your entryway. Shims are small pieces of angled wood that you can use to help your entry hang evenly and plumb.
You’ll want to add shims on the latch side of the jamb. This will prevent the gap from closing when you slam your entry door shut. You should also add weather stripping to this area. This will keep heat and cold from escaping and help reduce your energy costs.
Attach Hinges to Your Jamb
Then, cut a hinge mortise into the door jamb. A chisel and utility knife will help you get the mortise clean enough for the hinge to fit properly.
Use shims in the hinge areas to keep your frame and stud level. This helps make sure your doors and locks line up and seal properly.
It is also a good idea to place blocks under the bottom of the door, if it needs it. This will steady the door and prevent it from falling over while you’re working on the hinges.
Finish Your Entry
Doors are passageways between the outside and inside of your home. They offer security, boost curb appeal, and improve energy efficiency.
If your doors are hard to close or open, you may need to replace them with new ones that provide better insulation and a tight seal. Book a free consultation with a door installation expert in Dallas like Preview Construction to see which options would be best for you.
If you choose to replace your entryway yourself, check that the slab and jambs are aligned and use shims to adjust them. Once the entry is in place, attach the hinges to the jambs.