How To Install A Prehung Exterior Door
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Got a door that's due for any upgrade? Watch to learn how to install a prehung exterior door. Find step-by-step project details here: low.es/2D4j6MW
Difficulty Level: Moderate. If you are not 100% confident installing a pre-hung door, Lowe's recommends that you hire a professional. Call 1-877-GO-LOWES or visit low.es/2BZhLJh to learn more about installation services through Lowe’s.
start early in the day, so when you run into every single problem you wont be left trying to get a door on at 12am
Haha best advice yet! I'd be out of a job if it was always this easy.
😂
Don't forget the time it takes to make 37 trips to the hardware store.
🤣🤣I decided to install a door in my 1950’s house at 3pm one Saturday last year. That was a late night.
So true Slick .I've put in a few over the years some went in great others were a pain in the ass.
At no point has any door I changed EVER been that easy.
I’ve installed doors everyday for 6 years, well 5 days a week, actually contracting with Lowe’s, it’s definitely doable for a handy homeowner but French doors, sliders, and entry doors with sidelights are a little harder, but we install on homes built on average in the 50-70’s and they’re always not level, Sheetrock needs cut, or original framers built their own frame and it’s not a stock size or the jamb depth is so wide it requires a lot of trim or a custom jamb, it’s definitely doable though, they’ve wanted us to make a few videos for the public and build our own wall in our shop but I said it would be pointless because the standard install situation is never even close to how perfect a demo wall I could build is. If I’m going to make a video I’ll do it at a house built in the 70’s lol I feel the videos need to show normal problems that occur and how to easily tackle those issues, because people see this and start their own and end up in trouble sometimes.
I couldn't agree more. We have a early 60s custom built home (except that it looks just like the other "custom" built home 2 doors down). When we had the back and front installed, the installer crew were saying to each other, "this is odd, how are we going to change/fix/get around this?". They were able to, but I saw how non-standard each door was even from each other.
This. My house is 1946, the last time I moved the front door (wood frame) I ended up replacing the ENTIRE front exterior wall. That's years ago Im here for a refresher to do a back door on my own i had help then. Even new homes settle and are out of whack lol
How much does Lowes typically charge for installation?
I just switched my job of five years as an assistant manager to be a Lowe's door installer contracted by a corporation. Probably similar or the same thing you do. How do you like it? I love working on things, customizing things, making things work, etc... and I'm excited to get the opportunity to work by myself.
Then you all need to look for a different video
I used this to install a new front door on my 120 year old, definitely not level house and it worked great. Every project is going to be a little different. Saying you cant do this because the frame isnt level is a cop out. That is why you check and adjust the level all the way through the process. Have faith in yourselves. You can do this.
That old door had many more years of life lol.
seriously, just needed a tiny bit of touch up paint lol
I was thinking the same... if that had been my door?? No replacement necessary lol.
@@jerryjeromehawkins1712 yeah but rich people ya know? They always want new things cause they can afford it
@@jonesfamily5215 hey Mr Jones... problem is... everybody wants new stuff but it all ends up on a credit card, lol.
👍🏼 🍻
This has been one of the clearest videos I've seen. I know you guys are a little more expensive than Home Depot, but the quality of your products and advice way more than makes up the difference. I love Lowe's!
I used to do tech support for Home Depot and won't go there after working for them. They had a major glitch in their website that they can't seem to fix. If you buy something online and the price changes before you pick it up, when you pick it up the system will say either you or HD owes a penny. Now you think ok so I just give them the penny , no it doesn't work like that. It locks the order and it can't be picked up. The issue has to be escalated to tier 2 support to be resolved.
I just changed out the kitchen to gargage door and frame with a little help to handle it from a neighbor. I did my homework and watched how to videos for any pre-knowledge I could gain. it went very well. I (myself) had the old door torn out by 10:30 new door and frame in by noon, would have been alot quicker I think, if we were familiar with what we were doing. that time did not include replacing the inside trim molding. thanks youtube, Debbie in Coastal Georgia
Thx lowes. You make it soooo easy looking on a house that isent that old. Now lets try it on my home from the 60s.
Nothinf wrong with tbat current door... uhg rich ppl
My house is from the 1920s and it needs a new back door. The old door is probably as old as the house. It's cold up here and cold air leaks in.
Seen better days? Man I wish my door looked half that good! All it needs is a fresh coat of paint. :)
works for this demonstration because his house isn't built in 1958 like mine. Mine's probably circle by now instead of square.
😂
Interesting, I would think doors are rectangular and not squared😂
Get a circular door then👍🏼
I thought I could do it myself but this video made it look hard.
Lol meee tooo
Haha this makes it look easy. Read the other comments this is a totally unrealistic expectation for real life
@@MrJoshcc600I liked this one. ua-cam.com/video/eWUpxU5mExM/v-deo.html
Uh huh! Just that easy! Forgot the most important tip.........make sure you have your GC on speed dial. Once you get the old door out and find the sill plate is totally rotted out, the house has settled and there is no such thing as a plumb line, the miters are supposed to be 90s but they're not, you tighten a screw on the right and now the left is out of square, you'll be reaching for that phone! Also, an important tip.......have a tarp or plastic ready to staple into the opening until your contractor arrives.
Best video on installing a pre-hung exterior door. Very well explained and excellent camera work. At 2:27, I would have liked to see a demonstration on how to line up the studs with wood should the studs fail either the level tests or the square test.
Have the old door out and have my trim studs in place, today putting header and cripples in. New door from Lowe's has been leaning against the garage wall since December waiting for warmer weather. The door is going between the garage and dining room so rain water is not an issue, only heat and cold as garage not insulated, nor heated or air conditioned.
Thanks for the video. Now I see why it's so hard to find someone who will hang a door and charge you a lot when they do. That is a lot of work.
Wow. Glad this only takes 6 minutes to do this.
Took me 4
Why would we need to see him walking in and out of the house or running to the garage to pick whatever he forgot or 15 minutes unloading the new door from the truck etc..
@@ernestomendoza463Don't forget cussing and beers
This is great for someone installing a door on a house built within the last 20 years. Nothing is square past the 90's.
My house was built in 78. Im screwed. I need a video on how to square an opening in preparation for a door
Do you mean before the 90s?
Good video. I have installed a few doors in my life but I have always had someone there to help. It's possible to install yourself but it's great to have an extra hand to keep things square and level.
"This door has seen better days"... yeah that door looks perfectly fine to me lol
Leave it to the ole internet to see arguing over a door hanging video. :) He shows how to install it under fairly perfect circumstances and you have to adapt beyond that. I'd never expect it to go in as simple and clean as this video. lol
Last time I did this on my garage, door wouldn't close after I installed it. I tried trimming the spot where the hinges attach which then made it not seal anymore. Tried fixing that by removing the whole frame and repositioning the rough frame 2x4s on the hinge side which eventually ended up tearing off the red cedar siding ($500 per box). In the end it took 2 grand to repair...now I just call someone else to do it for me. 😀
Depending on the type of sill pan you may also need to use flashing tape behind the trim and down overlapping the side lips of the pan. You should also make sure that behind that lower front trim is sealed so it's not just dumping water in where it can rot. Flashing tape should be all around. Also a good time to make sure your door has Z-flashing above the door.
I wish my exterior door was as nice & perfect as the "old" one in this video. It doesn't have a proper header, it slopes down a full inch, the floor is rotted, and it doesn't have flashing. House was built in the 30s or 40s (possibly earlier) & had some modifications without permits over the years. It's a mess. LOL.
If you have the time, it's a good idea to paint the door prior to installation and wait a few days to allow the paint to cure. That way it won't be tacky & you won't have to worry about paint getting on the weatherstripping or floor.
Good points. I would add minimal expanding foam insulation NOT the fiberglass used here.
@@oldarkie3880 Yeah, fiberglass can get wet. Mice, roaches, & other critters also like to get into it. Mice will tear it up and make nests with it.
@@mycats7321 is that not true for foam also?
Good concise explanation.Better than the others I watched.
If necessary..Make it a two day job..remove brick mouldings and inside casings day one..this involves cutting through caulking..carefully prying away mouldings(brickwork sometimes has cracking in mortal near and around doorways so dont pull down bricks)..then you have to scrape the old caulking..you still have a door to close..day two might require a bit of rot repair before you set the new door..then the rest etc..just my experience..
Also make sure you have a long Phillips driver so you can get around the door handle when screwing it into the new door, a square, a good level at least 2’ long, a dremel tool for shaving off bits of the deadbolt and door latch hole when they don’t line up, a sawzall for cutting around the door jamb when removing……
Have a piece of plywood that you may have to use to cover the opening in case of rain or if you can't finish before sundown. By the way. I always paint the back / outside and bottom edges of the new door's frame, I do this days ahead of time. I do so to protect it from water damage. When I remove the old door and frame, I also paint all exposed wood of the opening--the sill, etc.
Don't use blanket insulation...it loses its efficiency when shoved into a space. Instead use expanding foam insulation, like Dow Great Stuff, and just trim it flush with a utility knife when it cures
Exactly! It also lets air through, use window and door foam
The idea is to use a minimal amount of insulation, you kind of compress it a little, slide it into a space and it decompresses to the point that it reaches the sides and can hold itself up. It's tricky but it can be done in a way that doesn't ruin it's efficiency.
One thing they missed, prefit the door to make sure it will fit the opening before you do any of the steps mentioned for installation
I’m assuming that’s why he measured beforehand
Lowe’s it’s a store of tools right well that save a lot and 4 minutes to install the doors video it’s enough !
Thank you. This was very helpful. Installed my first (and, hopefully, only :P ) pre-hung door. Wife is very happy. :)
She's been waiting for something hung for a long time.
I have installed numerous interior doors. Am planning to replace an exterior door next month. It is on the back of the house and what I do can only make the situation better than it is now. I have seen some professionally installed doors where the workmanship did not look very professional.
The term professional used to mean something, now it’s just a catch phrase to gain someone’s trust
Well done grasshopper ❤😊
Keep up the great work 🎉
🦗💙
If you put the screws behind the weather strip.. they are hidden and look much better.
it’s a lot harder when you have to install the door by your self. But it is also harder if you haven’t installed doors often. It takes time to be good at something so you have to do it more than once .
Almost stopped watching when everything was square but I understand he is just showing the jist of the procedure...But if someone thinks it this easy and tries it they will be surprised!!
Wayne Guillotte ok what do you do when it’s not square or rotted?
Surago that’s why I watched this video. I have a Mastercraft door from Menards to install and the small amount of instructions on the box are worthless.
Absolutely a good door guy can make some of the toughest ones look easy. Until you've done a few and problem solved some steps it's not as easy as it looks.
Great video for me. I can figure out the squaring and all, no problem. My only real question is the use of the term sealant versus glue. Wasn't sure if he was just using silicone for the bottom piece or whether it was a sealant/glue in one. Seems it SHOULD be glued so I'm thinking that it is both sealant and glue.
Pro tip - It's never that easy on older homes. Plan on it being all day for 1 door.
He also didn't get into replacing that screen door that also has it's own challenges.
Bro U not lying! It took me six hours for a pre-hung on a 1915 house!
@@sharpe_tv
8 hours on my 1940 house. old door was non-standard 31 3/4"x79" with a VERY custom frame.. It's now a standard 32x80..
Screen door is on a different video
@@JohnD-JohnD well I'm going to be in for a treat. need to replace 2 doors on my 1959, one is 32x78 and one is 31.5x79, isn't that great? lol!
@@camellia4146 If you are lucky, they shimmed the heck out of the existing door and left some space.
This will be the third door I'm replacing. The rough opening and 7' of the dining room wall has to be rebuilt so a temporary support wall must be installed 30" in from the outside wall.
Amazing walkthrough! Thanks for giving me the knowledge and confidence to knock this project out the right way this weekend.
Nathan Dally how did it go?
cityleader88 he’s still working on it....😂
@@KorraTheFrenchie dude, I replaced the whole casing. It looks clean too. I had never messed w/ an exterior opening. Since, I've put in a ext. Outlet, 3 window replacements, and an attic fan. It was scary thinking I wouldn't keep it water tight.
@@cityleader88 ua-cam.com/video/VkcEcEriCPw/v-deo.html
Nathan Dally I know. I was just messing around. I only found this video as I’m getting ready to do the same thing.
Congrats on the good work.
Long time out of work force its good explaining in the video
So, I am going to get a 2" thick piece of Styrofoam board, cut it to the size of the rough opening and if this takes more than one day, I'll place it in the old door frame. I don't want to rush this job and it's my house, so I don't have to. Also, if my threshold isn't level, I plan on using tile leveling cement to pick up the difference. I live in a 1964 Ranch-style, so here we go!
I would have liked to see more information about how you selected the sill pan; specifically what you measured and how you measured it.
Tom Collier the sill pan is universal. It fits any standard door opening. That’s why it’s in 3 pieces. You just overlap more or less to fit the door opening you have.
PSA: If you need a new front door and watch this video thinking it is going to go this smoothly, you are sadly mistaken. Be prepared for it to definitely not go this smoothly.
@@steelmantv They charge like $500 to install one though so you at least saved yourself some decent change.
@@swingerhead $500 is not bad, especially for a front door that's install correctly.
Yeah. Some "if this happens do this" would have been nice.
Stop ruining my dreams
@@mattrandall1808lol
Pro tip: If you pull the weather striping out, you can hide your screws behind it, then put it back in. Boom, no wood putty. Also, that original front door just needed paint and hopefully not by brush. Spray fiberglass doors or brush strokes will drive you crazy for years.
Whats wrong with fiberglass doors?
@@MyHairyChin nothing. He's just saying spray it instead of brushing it to avoid brush streaks.
I brushed/rolled mine with Emerald urethane from Sherman Williams and no brush strokes
Nice to see a video made by a pro who knows what they are doing. There are way too many videos by amateurs who are showing others how to do things.. but obviously don't know how to do these things correctly themselves.
Everyone check the specs for your door Install. Flashing tape is usually required. Order of operations matters. I'd you have a failure in the jamb/threshold connection they will NOT warrant it. Ideally the sill pan should be blueskined/flashing taped.
Each manufacturer is different. Requirements are different and let me tell you they are there for a reason.
I watch the video that's pretty good tomorrow I got to install a door prehung front door the house is about 20 years old I figure I can do it in one day so I'm going to try my damnedest to get it done wish me some luck and I'll let you know what the outcome is
what was the result? I need to do mine as well, but not sure I could do it in a day. how did it go?
@@Cstark86 6 months later.....................
Probably didn't finish and paid someone
I will take the old door it looks fantastic
I've seen my neighbor have someone work on their front door for a week. First they did the storm door. Then decided to replace their front door. Took everything off and proceed to put everything back together. Multiple installers.
Looks like a big job with a LOT of details.
Looks so easy.What about and old house and new door?chipping ,chopping and cutting for three days and still trying to get the brick molding back on.🤯
Everyone here is like, "it's never that easy". But watch a few vids and you'll understand: shim/square the door, cover roughness with trim. That is basically it. Home carpentry is an art of ridgidly attaching things together and neatly trimming the gaps, as quickly as possible.
So I stay in a super old building and my door is starting to ware out. Should I replace it ?
Installation time and quality depends on installers skill level and patience level😁👍 Good luck. Im changing my door in the middle of winter.
3:28 Lowes does not even sell this door, everything they stock has an overhanging sill. I wish I could find one like this.
I’m here to support Rob and Corinne 😅
what did he use to fill the countersunk screws? It looks like he just left them exposed.
On a pre hung door will there be a screw missing on the hinges where you put a longer screw? Also the screws in the door jamb are the heads covered up with something when finished?
Everyone tells me how easy this is but I’m not so sure. House was built in 1965 and I usually run into every problem imaginable.
This is funny ,,,,it’s hardly ever that easy always out of square or rotted or something.
So true
That’s why they used a new house. Probably a model
I had the same thought. There's a reason it's getting replaced otherwise, they'd just buy the door by itself
Yeah it kind of ridiculous. Exactly the reason I was checking the cooments.
@@jonbar140 in that person's case it looked like it just needed to be repainted.
They did not mention how to do the outside frame of the door. I don’t see any video on how to do the outside frame of the front door.
Its easy in a door door frame like that some old houses shift or may have damage to them . i took a door frame out an the break around it was breaking apart so we had to make support for it
That pink paint on the door it looks awesome! But the music throughout the whole video was insanely annoying!
For people looking for new doors or windows, I sincerely recommend Dako.
What happened to the storm door? Why didn't you replace that?
When you get a new steel door and its white, is that the primer color or the door paint color?
For a below grade basement exterior door in a stair well with a drain in front of it. What's the best way to install to make it waterproof even if the drain gets plugged or briefly gets backed up from very heavy rainfall?
Does this seem super complicated to anyone else? I think we'll hire someone.
This seems very simple to me, a real world situation will likely be replacing a 100 year old door with out of plumb house, not a new house like this one.
I'm definitely gonna pay somebody. My sanity is worth more than the cost of installation.
This is a great video. I'm going to do this myself because contractors and handy men in LA can't seem to want to replace a wood door for less than 800 dollars. Effing ridiculous.
You need to come install a door in baja sur california Sea of Cortez near Cabo San Lucas. Not very good door hangers here. Looking for for a pre-hung exterior door that is weather/water tight resistant to sun. Thank you for the demo !!!
Dint most replacement doors cone with a bottom sill?
"Seen better days" :-/ ??? The door has one season of wear on it lol
RE Verb not the point of the video idiot
If they used a really old door, the install would have been much more challenging. ;)
@@SimonHomeintheEarth lol like mine, no frame at all, bound by brick on both sides, good luck Mr. Lowes man hahha.
@@SimonHomeintheEarth if they used a really old door, the install would have been much more realistic. I know it’s never this easy. :)
@@WhatIThinkNation I know, right. I was thinking the same thing. Mine, there was never a bottom plate installed. So, the bottom is rotted out, and I highly doubt if anything is plumb, square, or even close to level...lol. I’d LOVE to see him replace my door. 😂🤣😂
How much should I budget for this same door including professional installation?
I'm just getting started in the world of home improvement what do you think is a good first project? I have doors that need to be installed. Windows that need to be replaced. Door locks on the back that need to be replaced. I know to leave the ceiling to the professionals and eventually a carpet that needs to placed in the living room. Do any of those sound like projects for a new comer?
Welcome to DIY, +Gamesmaster045! I think replacing your door locks is a great place to start. Here's a video + article to walk you through that process: low.es/2u5xhyV
All above DIY doable. The locks and ceiling should be easy unless you need scaffolding and fear of heights. I would replace the carpet with laminate. Carpet is not difficult, you need a kicker, stretcher, hot iron and a roll of glue tape. You need to note the direction of the carpet run, otherwise you see two separate pieces. Windows may be a little more involved, in particular new construction. Retrofit is less involved. Paid attention or you may have water intrusion. There are good videos on window installations.
Start with mowing the lawn, then go from there! Lol
Please don't do laminate its trash. Carpet the low traffic areas and put another hard floor option. Everything from vinyl plank to epoxy, acid stain and polish your concrete foundation, maybe you've got terrazzo under you can refinish. Do it right once instead of laminate every 5 years
@@MrJoshcc600 For real! Bought a house with tacky laminate🤮 over nice narrow oak floors in apparently good shape, and already it's coming up. One of the last things we'll deal with. We've sanded and varnished this kind of floor before.
Good *BUT* why no (GRACE) water barrier wrap on the HOUSE DOOR OPENING? Anyone? Thanks!
My door needs a bigger hole. I bought this house and found the previous owners put a bathroom door from dining room to garage and all my heat leaks out there. The new door is 32", the old 28". So the header would have to be extended.
Oh my god you make it look soooooo easy.
thanks for saying you need a professional for this
@Frederick Murray Sounds like experience, Stick with it and I'll bet you will get past middle school Fred.
great install video, still can't do this ;p
Is it possible remove material from the sill plate to let the threshold and sill pan seat lower? The sill pan is still visible even after installing the trim between the flooring and threshold.
I can't find any plums jamming my door. Please reply.
It's lows providing any home improvement classes?
You use kobalt, and I love you.
I kind of wish they’d put a screen door on too so you can see the complete job. Had ascreen door would assume they still want a screen door.
The white colour of the door was nice
You should flash tape the entire opening before even entertaining installing a new pre-hung door. Do it right once instead of having to deal with problems down the road.
Remove the door ball?
Did he just put the handle and deadbolt on before painting the door?
Patrick rockwell right
Never understood either why paint last after a kitchen remodel.
@DR PHIL I paint when the drywall is finished before installation cabinets, so much faster and no masking off the cabinets. I use a commercial airless sprayer, 10 minute job very minor touchup after installing the cabinets. But that just my experience.
Of course everything fit perfectly 🙄.
Paul Cervantes I hate these videos
Never Does 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Actually you guys work very hard you should have 10million sub
Screw behind the weather strip
Great Job and excellent video!
Good video, but could have choose a better example on a door that actually needed to be replaced.
Why? they are showing how to replace a door, not what a bad door looks like.
@@RADARTechie Because a swapping out an old door is actually much more challenging than swapping out one that is only a couple years old.
@@RADARTechie wasn't too see real conditions and how to deal with them
@@SimonHomeintheEarth Exactly!
1st time installing front door. Help!!!
The built in the 1800's home has shifted front to back. So the top of the door, if vertical, has a 5 inch gap between the door frame and actual house. How do I mask this so as to not look ridiculous?
Please.
Why would you put your screws in the jamb face?
Pull back the weather seal and you can hide them there.
You forgot to check the reveal at the top and sides. You don't always adjust the jamb in the middle.
Shims placed at the top or bottom corners will give the jamb a truer plumb,then you adjust accordingly.
What about the package of longer hinge plate screws?
You didn't explain that either.
Not to mention no side and sill flashing,putting the hardware on before painting it the same day.....
See it all the time haha. Even worse is when they are installed with screws through the brick molding. Is fire this prick
It's nice to see them accurately portraying their installers. If they don't get your hopes up, then they don't have to worry about letting you down.
I think they also left out the part where you check the vertical weather seal to make sure the door compresses it a little (but not too much) and to swing the door to make sure it goes smoothly but doesn't just pop open with a little pressure once the lockset is put in.
They also forgot to tell you to not put nails in the door pan when you put in the shoe molding. Ive seen a lot of houses with the interior MDF trim soaking up water the pan was supposed to prevent coming in.
there was nothing wrong with that door and
1:13 voltage isn't deadly, amperage is
Packing insulation in like that is not good. R rating will be reduced to nothing. low expansion foam is the ticket. Pink insulation works just like down. loose and zero compress give greatest R rating.
Expanding foam is the best method for sure :) easier to apply too. This guy does the door all by himself in 6.5 minutes, damn hes a pro, took my dad and I over 12 hours just to install the door, let alone the trim inside and outside.
Robert w Sieburg god damnit he’s right.
DR PHIL ya basically had to cut the concrete at the base, old door was old school just a wood simple frame cemented into the cinderblocks. So certainly not a drop in, but future repayments will be a lot smoother.
@DR PHIL ya so it was first... remove old door ... maybe 30 mins to do that
Test fit new pre-hung door ... would not fit
So as you guessed, had to make a new wood frame that was hidden into the cinderblocks and cemented into place.
That way it allows easier replacement in the future as there is a base wood frame now the same size as the prehung door frame dimensions (without losing any dimensions in door opening).
@@WhatIThinkNation Have you ever heard of editing?
What wasn't mentioned was his use of deck screws.
Refreshing the front door is an easy way to bump up curb appeal! Great video on showing everything you should expect.
Never put screws in the jamb personally. Finish nails behind the w/strip on lock side and screws through hinges on that side. No large holes to caulk in the jamb.
It also strengthens the lock. It helps make it harder to smash in. ;-)
Agree 100% I've always used screws behind the weather stripping and 2 screws in each hinge on all installs. Don't see the point in all the unnecessary caulk and paint touch up work.
Screws you could readjust. It's always a little adjustment needed to get it perfect.