Note: Click here for a materials list and complete instructions without images. Cost and Time: Varies according to the type of French door chosen / 2 days. Difficulty Rating: It's rated a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Materials for Complete Project: Two 96" 2 x 4 studs
Eight 92-5/8" 2 x 4 studs
Four 8' firring strips
Two 7' x 11-7/8" microlams
Ten 8' lattice board
100' roll of poly (4 mil.)
12'-3/4" 1/4 round
4" junction box cover plate
1-3/4 roofing nails
10' romext some couplers
FW staples for romext
Wire nuts
Unfaced insulation
Drywall (5 sheets 1/2" 4 x 8)
Mesh tape for drywall
Screws
Four 2 x 4 joist hangers and nails
Shims
5 gal. pail (premixed mud)
Paint to match
1/2" nap roller
3/8" nap roller
Walk way poly (self sticking)
Reciprocating saw blades (35 and longer)
Silicone caulk
Tape
Joint compound
Reciprocating saw
Short and long blades
Circular or miter saw
Pneumatic framing nailer
Finish nailer Notes: - Order your doors at least three weeks ahead of installation. Expect to pay anywhere from $750 to $2,500 for a set of French doors.
- Get a building permit (allow at least two weeks to get one) if needed.
- Cover areas in poly to limit dust to other areas. Add a fan if necessary.
- Make sure there is nothing hidden in the wall you are tearing down that could derail the project. Such as wire chase, water pipes, electrical wires, etc.
French Door Options: - See our illustrations (right) of the two type of French doors available -- In-swing and Out-swing.
- A number of options will affect the appearance of the product: 1) No grills, 2) Grills with simulated divided light, which restore a more historical character for the door and 3) Color (a variety of exterior colors).
Replacing the Old Door - If you need to remove an electrical switch, do it now.
Safety Alert: Turn off main breaker before doing any electrical work. - Remove the electrical box, cap the wires and tuck the wire up into the rafter to get it out of the way.
- Pop up the hinges (figure A) on the old door.
- Use a sawzall to cut through the nails holding the old frame in place (figure B).
- Take studs out that are in the way. (Are they load-bearing studs? If so, add a brace if they are.)
Safety Alert: If you have any question at all if your wall is load-bearing or not, please talk with an architect or building engineer beforehand. - Use the reciprocating saw to cut through the studs that are now in the new rough opening, which will be 5' , 6" wide, including a 1/2" addition on each side to accommodate the insulation and any adjustment.
Tip: When ordering your French doors, be sure to do so by "rough" opening size, not the unit size. - Use the existing stud from the old doorframe (figure C). The king stud runs all the way from the bottom plate to the top plate.
- Next to the king stud , nail in two shorter studs called 'trimmers' or jack studs (figure D). Check periodically to make sure framing is plumb.
- Measure across to make sure the opening is the right dimension.
- Nail in a new king stud top to bottom on the opposite side.
- Again, nail two trimmers to hold up the other end of the header.
- Set your first microlam header into place (figure E) and nail it.
Tip: The lambeams that come from the lumber yard are often not square because they are cut with a chain saw. To make sure they're square, use a framing square to even the ends. - Set the second microlam in right next to it and nail it into the first one. The two microlams together should be the same width as the stud wall.
- Once the headers are in, cut through the bottom plate with a sawzall and then dig it out with a prybar (figure F).
- Now you can take away the safety brace.
- Now you need to reroute the wiring to the new switch box.
- Fish the wiring through the wall.
Note: Never bury an electrical box inside a wall.
RESOURCES :
True French In-swing Door
Model #: 113
Color: white clad natural interior
Available at: www.crestlinewindows.com
Crestline Windows & Doors
Mosinee, WI 54455
Fax: 763-781-8316
Taunton's Build Like a Pro: Windows and Doors: Expert Advice From Start to Finish (Build Like a Pro)
ISBN: 1561584835
Author: Scott McBride
Order this book from Amazon.com.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Installing and Hanging Doors (For Pros by Pros Series)
ISBN: 1561586358
Author: Gary Katz
Order this book from Amazon.com.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
GUESTS :
Scott Ocel
888 Southview Dr.
Mosinee, WI 55445
Tollfree Phone: 800- 552-4111
Fax: 763-781-8316
Email: Socel@SNEenterprises.com
Website: www.crestlinewindows.com
General Sales Manager
Crestline Windows & Doors
Shane Kretsinger
Vice President, Operations
Autumn River
We apologize no contact information is available.
Gary Keagle
Supervisor
Autumn River
See contact information for Autumn River (above)
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