Articles | Planning Exterior Door Installation

Exterior doors on homes do more than just let people enter and exit. They also help insulate the home, provide privacy and can even add to the beauty of a home. When it comes time for new exterior doors, home owners benefit greatly by hiring a professional to complete their exterior door installation project. It is important that exterior doors are hung correctly so that they keep out bad weather, open and close smoothly and will last as long as possible with minimal repairs.

The first step in exterior door installation would be choosing a material and style of door and then shopping around for the best price. Doors are usually manufactured as pre-hung door which means the door is sold along with its own, correct fitting frame. Alternatively, a slab door is just the door piece. Slab doors will require the construction of a custom door frame to match the slab. A slab door will obviously be less expensive than a pre-hung door, which requires more materials for construction, but a door cannot be hung without a frame. This means, once a frame is constructed and paid for, the price for slab and pre-hung often equal out. Additional supplies that are necessary for exterior door installation include screws, shims, spray foam insulation, trim, finishing nails and caulking. All of these materials are necessary to get a tight fitting door that will not allow drafts, cold winds or rain to get into a house at the entry way.

The process of exterior door installation will require more than just the materials, but a range of tools as well. A level, measuring tape, drill, hammer and caulking gun are the basics necessary for proper door installation. Contractors and professionals who install exterior doors for a living will already have these tools in their tool box. This is one of the most compelling reasons to hire a contractor complete and exterior door installation projects.

A homeowner who is an experienced carpenter will have no problem installing an exterior door, but for those who do not have experience with similar projects, it is highly suggested they hire a professional. Costs will vary based on the number of doors being replaced, the price of the door themselves and the area. However, professionals can complete door installation quickly. In the end the price of a contractor is usually worth the cost so home owners can save themselves the stress and frustration of such a project. Also, professional installation will give families the peace of mind that every part of their door is secure from the frame to the lock to the hinges. When exterior door installation is completed correctly the first time, home owners can expect to see long term savings because they will conserve more energy. Also, a new door brings a new fresh style to any house making homes more welcoming than ever.