DIY Network

Front Door: Removing the Old Door From "Floors, Doors & Windows" episode DFDW-104

Hosts Jay Baker and Scott Branscom show you how to install a new front door.

In this first segment, hosts Jay Baker and Scott Branscom remove the old door.

Materials:

Standard carpentry tools (hammer, nails, tape measure, level, etc.)
Circular saw
Wood chisel
Shims
Spray-foam insulation
Cold chisel
Drill motor with screw and drill bits
Paint

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

1. Before you purchase your new door, you need to take some measurements. When you get there, you will notice they will give you two different sizes. One is for the rough opening, which means the door is not there, and the other is for when the door is there. If the door is there, you need to take the measurements for the width and height.

2. Doors come in different types of construction -- aluminum clad, solid wood, etc. On the show, a vinyl clad door was installed.

3. Do not take out your existing door until you are sure the new door is in good shape. Check the seals on the sides to make sure they are making contact with the new door and check for dents and dings along the surface of the door. Also, check the bottom and the glass insert.

4. Remove the old door. Start at the top hinge (figure A) and work your way down. Before you remove the bottom hinges, have someone help you support the door so it doesn't fall on you.

5. Score around the casing, and then use a prybar to remove it (figure B). Continue the process of scoring and prying all the way around the trim. Be sure to pry out any nails left in the wall, too. Be careful so that you don't have to replace the casing.

6. You need to score around the casing outside, too. You also need to remove your threshold (figure C), and then it's time for some serious demolition work.

7. Remove insulation from around the door frame, and then cut through the nails holding the frame in place with a reciprocating saw (figure D). Do this all the way around the frame. Don't rush because it can cause damage to the wall around the door frame.

8. Once all the nails and screws are removed, you need to remove the door frame. Take a piece of wood and hammer it around the frame (figure E). If that is hard to do, you may need to remove the brake mold. Be patient while you do this because you do not want to rush it and damage the door frame.

9. Check the rough opening to make sure it is plumb, level and square.

10. Check for moisture at this time and if there is any damage to the jack studs, take care of that at this time.

11. Using a cold chisel (figure F) and hammer, make the area underneath the threshold as smooth as possible. Thoroughly clean away any debris.

RESOURCES :

Front Door (Jeld-Wen)

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

Installing and Hanging Doors
1561586358
Gary Katz
(August 2002)

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Taunton Press