DIY Network

Replacing a Front Door A new homeowner boosts curb appeal by upgrading his front door. From "Make a Move" episode DMAM-102

	Before
	After

It'll take some work to turn this fixer-upper into a hip bachelor pad — starting at the front door. Make a Move host Amy Wynn Pastor shows a new homeowner how to give his home's exterior a quick facelift by swapping out the battered front door for a classy new model. Instead of having to level, plumb and shim in a new door and doorjamb, Amy simply removes the door from its hinges and installs a new one.

Materials:

new front door
replacement hardware (if needed)
safety glasses
straight edge
measuring tape
carpenter's pencilhammer
flathead screwdriver
circular saw
drill
jigsaw

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This new facade brightens the whole block.

1. Remove the old door by disassembling the hinges. Wedge a flathead screwdriver under the head of each hinge pin and gently tap with a hammer until the pin comes loose

Tip: Exterior doors are often heavy and awkward to handle. Get a helper to assist with removing, moving and hanging the doors in this project.

2. Lay the old door on a pair of sawhorses and measure it carefully to determine if the new door needs to be trimmed to fit. Remove the original hardware from the old door and set aside to use on the new door.

3. Tip: If the old door didn't have a deadbolt lock — or had a lock with a short deadbolt — consider upgrading it for a deadbolt with a bolt long enough to go into the door frame, not just the jamb.

	Figure A
	Figure B

4. Lay out the new door on the sawhorses, measure and trim it to size using a circular saw (figure A). If the new door has a pre-cut hole for the doorknob and lock, trim the door so that the hole stays lined up properly.

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when using a power saw or any other power tool.

5. If desired, cut a hole for a mail slot (figure B). Position and trace the paper template that comes with the mail slot; if reusing a mail slot from the old door, position the old slot on the door and trace it. Drill a hole inside the traced line, then use a jigsaw to cut out the shape.

6. Carefully measure the position of the hinges on the old door and install the hinges at the corresponding spots on the new door. Install the other door hardware.

7. Fit the new door into position in the old door jamb. Set the bottom of the door in place first, then gently push the top into position. Fit the two halves of each hinge together, insert the hinge pins and tap the pins into place.

Tip: Don't tap the pins all the way in. Leave them protruding about 1/4" up from the top of the hinges to make later removal easier.