How to Install a Fiberglass Entry Door | This Old House 

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to upgrade an entryway with a brand-new, low-maintenance, energy-efficient door. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Tom and Kevin replaced an old, wooden exterior door with a new fiberglass door. Because the old door had thin wood panels and poor weatherstripping, it was not energy efficient. The new fiberglass door had foam insulation inside and dual-pane insulated windows. With the trim removed, Tom used a reciprocating saw and a pry bar to cut the nails holding the jambs in place and removed the entire door unit. The new pre-hung door would rest on the subfloor, which was not level. To correct this problem, Tom scribed two wood strips and attached them to the top of the subfloor. These strips also elevated the new threshold so that when the door is opened, it will clear any rugs or carpet that might be in the way. Next, Tom installed a flexible "self-sealing" flashing over the front edge of the opening and applied a generous bead of caulking to protect the underside of the door from any water penetration. With the flashing in place, Tom and Kevin inserted the new door into the opening, checked the jambs for plumb, inserted shims and screwed the unit in place. Next, Tom and Kevin installed a lockset and used minimal-expanding foam insulation between the jambs and framing to seal out drafts.
Shopping List for Installing a Fiberglass Entry Door:
pre-hung fiberglass entry door [amzn.to/2PRtcMX]
2x4 [amzn.to/2ZGAurp] and shims [amzn.to/34sYQDw]
6d nails [amzn.to/2PR6Bjm]
adhesive-backed waterproof membrane [amzn.to/2LtNeHT]
silicone adhesive [amzn.to/2Uy3ews]
1x4 [amzn.to/2MXUe31], used as cleats when installing new door
3-inch long weather-resistant screws [amzn.to/2ZS268e]
minimal-expanding spray foam [amzn.to/2ZTg1dZ]
Tools for Installing a Fiberglass Entry Door:
reciprocating saw [amzn.to/2NQJfI5]
pry bar [amzn.to/316D4ni]
24-inch [amzn.to/2HN1vhK] and 48-inch [amzn.to/2LtNEOt levels
scribe [amzn.to/311s4r9]
circular saw [amzn.to/2ZA7IbQ]
caulk gun [amzn.to/2UtWobu]
drill/driver [amzn.to/2ZQS4nM]
Tom and Kevin installed an insulated, fiberglass door manufactured by Therma-Tru [www.thermatru....].
Tom and Kevin also installed a new lockset manufactured by Schlage Lock Company [www.schlage.co...].
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How to Install a Fiberglass Entry Door | This Old House
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