If replacing an existing door, remove interior trim (casing) by scoring with a utility knife and carefully prying off the interior wall. Save if you plan on re-using. Unscrew hinges and remove existing door slab. Remove old jambs and threshold, checking for screws from behind the hinges and weatherstripping. Clean the opening.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED: Power drill with Phillips head bit and 1/16" wood drill bit. Scissors. Utility knife. Wood shims. 100% silicone caulking. Finishing nails. Wood screws.
1. Place pre-hung unit into rough opening. First apply 2 beads of caulking to the brickmould, where it will make contact with your exterior siding. Then, start by leaning the door and centering the bottom of the door in the opening, making sure hinges are facing the correct direction. Next lean the door upright. It can help to use a zip-tie to secure the door through the lock bore holes to prevent the slab from swinging during this step.
2. Adjust door as needed. Check to make sure the door is square in the opening and swings open/closed easily. Add wood shims around the door at the 4 corners. Adjust shimming as needed until door is square in the rough opening and flush with the interior drywall. Anchor the door in place by screwing through the door frame, through the shims, and into the studs behind. Once the door is aligned and secured, add shims above and below deadbolt bore and anchor to through jambs into studs, just like you did at each of the four corners.
3. Install trim. Nail the exterior trim (brickmould) to your siding using finishing nails (we recommend nails to be spaced out by about 12"). Then add (or replace) your interior trim, again using finishing nails.
4. Paint the door. Clean the door (get all of the dust debris off of the surface of the door). Click here for our guide on how to paint your door. We recommend our paint or any exterior grade acrylic latex paint.
5. Install the lock. Follow lock manufacturer instruction.
