Quickly Install Exterior French Doors and Watch Your Curb Appeal Soar
Imagine basking in the golden hour light pouring through a stunning set of French doors. As the warm glow flows in, your home feels bathed in elegance. Now picture glancing outside and seeing guests gathered on your fresh, welcoming patio - it's all easily visible through those beautiful new exterior doors.
Installing a set of exterior French doors can completely transform the look and feel of your home, not to mention improve natural light, promote better flow between rooms, and boost energy efficiency. But such renovations can seem intimidating if you've never done it before.
Assessing Your Current Opening
The first step in your exterior French door installation project is carefully evaluating your existing door opening...
Taking Measurements
Accurately measure both the width and height of the rough opening. Verify that the opening is close to level, plumb and square - this ensures proper operation and sealing after installing new French doors. Out of square openings over 1/4 inch require adjustments before proceeding.
Issues to Address
Examine the walls around your current opening for bowing or leaning. This uneven pressure needs relief prior to installation...
Choosing New Exterior French Doors
Once you've assessed any changes needed to your door opening, it's time to pick out gorgeous new exterior French doors. Consider functionality along with style as you browse different door types and materials...
Door Types & Materials
French doors are available in popular exterior building materials like wood, fiberglass and aluminum clad wood. You'll also see different operating styles such as swing doors, sliding doors and trendy folding/accordion options.
What to Look For
Seek out ENERGY STAR rated French doors to find efficient models that will keep energy costs down. Always verify door dimensions and handing to ensure a proper fit. For easier installation, select pre-hung door units that include the necessary jambs, hinges, thresholds and weatherstripping...
Preparing the Rough Opening
Before setting your beautiful new exterior French doors in place, you need to adjust and fine tune the existing rough door frame opening so your doors function flawlessly.
Making Adjustments
You may need to sand down high spots in your rough opening or shim areas that have dips or gaps. Verify the opening is perfectly plumb and square. Install additional framing pieces or lumber reinforcements if required.
Creating Access
Carefully remove exterior siding/materials around current opening to create sufficient work space. You may need to cut back extra siding to release wall pressure. Construct temporary covering to protect the interior until new doors are fully installed.
Installing Exterior French Doors
Now comes the fun part - seeing your gorgeous upgraded French doors placed to enhance your home! Refer to pre-hung unit manufacturer instructions as you progress...Setting the Pre-Hung Unit
Before fully anchoring, test fit your pre-hung exterior French door unit into the prepared rough opening space. Adjust shims gradually until unit is perfectly level and plumb.
Securing the New Doors
With doors positioned properly, anchor the threshold securely to the subfloor first. Next shim the side door jambs straight and plumb, then drive long screws firmly into wall studs to stabilize the frame. Install shims at the head jamb and middle meeting post to take up any gaps or play.
Sealing & Weatherproofing
Apply flexible flashing around the exterior perimeter of newly installed jambs to divert future water. Caulk any gaps with high quality sealant. Adjust door sweeps on bottoms and thresholds between doors to prevent air infiltration and pest entry.
Completing the Project
You've done the tough work, now enjoy the finishing touches! Develop handy skills as you wrap up small aesthetic details.Trimming Out Jamb Extensions
Examine jamb/wall interior gaps and cut brick molding or casing profiles to size. Nail tightly in place over jambs for a seamless, clean interior look.
Finishing Touches
Insulate any small voids around your newly installed exterior French doors with minimally expanding foam. Replace any displaced siding or exterior materials. Ensure proper drainage with slope grading if needed. Caulk exterior gaps with quality sealant and paint to match surrounding surface.
Remain safe throughout your exterior door installation project. Get an extra set of hands when lifting heavy doors into place. Establish perfectly level lines to keep doors sealing and swinging true long term. Allow natural expansion space between frame and rough opening. With attention to small details and proper technique, you can install stunning, upgraded exterior French doors that boost curb appeal and add joyful natural light to your rooms for years to come!