DIY Network

French Doors: Installing the Door From "Floors, Doors & Windows" episode DFDW-102

Hosts Jay Baker and Scott Branscom install the French door.

In this segment, hosts Jay Baker and Scott Branscom install the new French door.

Materials:

Standard carpentry tools (hammer, tape measure, level, etc.)
Various screwdrivers
An assortment of trim to finish out the door
Paint or stain to finish out the door

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Set the door into the rough opening. Tack the door into place temporarily because you may need to adjust the fit or make some modifications inside. Put a couple of nails on each side and a couple at the top -- do not nail them all the way in yet.

2. If the doors come with shipping pins, you need to remove them. Pull the tabs at the bottom of the door (figure A) and the pins will pop right out.

3. Make sure the door is level, plumb and square. Measure from corner to corner, like you did before, to make sure it is square. Check the level on the seal and the top strike plate (figure B)

4. You need to add shims to the door. The shims go in above the metal plate at the top of the door (figure C). The door comes with the metal plate screwed in at the top, but you need to replace the screws with longer screws. Once again, apply sealant to the screws, and then install the screws through the hinges. Make sure the door is fastened tightly to the frame and then wipe off any excess sealant. Score the shims with a razor knife and then break them off cleanly.

5. On the threshold, put a little sealant in the holes and then screw the threshold into place.

6. You also need to shim the sides of the door. The shims go in above and below the hinges. Apply sealant to the screws and then install the screws to the hinges (figure D). Wipe off the excess sealant. Score the shims and break them off.

7. Tap the nails in the nailing fins down the rest of the way. Don't knock them in so far that you damage the fin.

8. Some manufacturers include foam corner sealers that you put on after the door installation is done. Peel them off and place them at the top of the corners over the nailing fin (figure E).

9. Reinstall any siding you had to remove in reverse order. The J-channels at the sides of the door go in first, and then slide the siding down piece-by-piece (figure F) and tug up on it until the pieces lock into place and you can nail them down.

RESOURCES :

French Door (Jeld-Wen)

JELD-WEN
Website: www.jeld-wen.com

The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
0345372972
Bruce Johnson
Ballantine Books (November 1993)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.