I'm bored
1. Measure and using common sense detemine the rough opening (space between framing) of your existing door, take that to door supplier and make sure you get the correct size of the new door. Ideally the new door frame would be 1/2inch shorter and 1inch less in length. Also purchase some latex caulk and a bundle(50 or so pcs) of cedar shim shingles. Also get some #12 finish nails if you are installing a wood unit.
2. Remove existing door, allow at least 8 hrs since you are a novice. Pick a warm day with no rain in the forecast.
3. Enlist a friend to help you, wives make sandwiches, dont go there for help.
4. Remove the old door unit, dont break glass, bitch to clean up. Hopefully your old door unit has "brick mold" and the siding is short enough that when you install the new door and install new molding you will not have to trim the siding.
5. Set the new unit into the opening. French doors require correct placement because not only can the door drag on the head and the sill, but if the door is "tweaked", the face of the doors will offset.
6. Using a 4 foot level, check the side jamb for plumb and the head for level. Add shims around the door unit to get the door whaere you want it.
7. The new unit will likely have new brick mold already attached or a flange around it for nailing the unit to the boxing or studs around the door. Begin adding nails/screws around the unit, but so not set nails in case you have to remove them to adjust. Put caulk on the back side of the flange or brick mold to seal out drafts.
8. Only add enough fastners to secure the door from moving all around or falling out. When you set the unit it is best to have it off the floor below so you can make minor adjustment to the sill. I usually add an 1/8 shim under the ends of the jambs. When the door is temp secure, open the door to see that it operates freely without dragging etc.
9. When you see that everything operates correctly you can secure the door permanently. Begin on one jamb at the top. The correct way to install the shims is to take one wedge shape in insert it between the unit and jamb while sliding another shim in from the other side of the jamb so that the shims are still a true thickness rather than 2 or more shims on one side which creates a wedge shaped shim, this twists the jamb and will create problems later.
The shims should also be placed even with or slighly higher or below the hinge location. The jamb material is flexible enough that it will bow unless the shims are near the hinge. The ends of the shims will be to long and sticking out, using a utility knife cut half way thru them and snap them off.
10. Take your time, it works best with 1 person on each side of the door pushing in the shims to each other, make them snug but not tight. Drive in a finish nail though the shim material in order to stop them from falling out. Do not drive the nails all the way in incase you have to remove them to make adjustments. I usually put 2 nails across to keep the jamb secure and square.
I start at the top, add shims at the bottom, then do the middle hinge location, keep a close eye on the reveal between the door and the jamb always mainting the typical 1/8 inch spacing.
Do both jambs
11. You are now ready to do the head. I usually pick 2 equal locations, shim and nail.
12. You are now ready to do the sill, There are many different sills, some have an adjustable screw so they can be adjusted years to come. If that is what you have, remove the raised (typically wood) stripe buy removing the screws. There is probably holes below it to install screws from the sill to the floor below. Again, use shims to adjust. I prefer to set the sill and dry pack a masonary material under it to make it regid enough to stand on. If you just want to shim put enough on it so it does not bow under your wgt wherever you step.
13. Before nailing any nails complete, check the door operation thouroughly, if you have a problem fix it now
14.If everything lines up, door closes properly and the door face lines up...set all nails. Using insulation or expanding foam fill the gap between the framing and jambs.
15. If you made it this far you can finsh the trim without instruction.
16. Sammich and nap time.
Too bored to proof read
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