We are going to replace our front door. Well, not exactly. The front door is a 6 foot sliding glass door and we have finally gotten tired of it and want a real front door. I could tell you the story about why we have a slider for a front door, but it is long and boring.
The height of the slider doesn’t seem to be the 81 inches or so needed for a pre-hung door. Does that seem correct or do I need to pull sheet rock off and confirm the actual rough opening height.
I’d like to do the work myself because the estimates we’ve gotten almost double the price on the door. I’m retired and a DIY’er for a long time. I have all the tools and saws and etc. Is this a job I can do? The only part that scares me is I might have to move the header up if the opening really is short. We are looking into getting doors and maybe we can just get one that fits.
Last question, there don’t seem to be many places to purchase front doors. Lowe’s and Home Depot seem to be about the only ones (but we are still looking). I’m concerned about the quality of the doors they carry. Maybe someone could recommend some brands to stay away from?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Any “tricks of the trade” for installing a new front door is even more appreciated.
Thanks
Rich
Replies
Rich...if your retired, you have plenty of time to do the switching!
Go ahead and pull the drywall off to accurately measure the rough opening height. It's better to start off using facts, instead of guessing. There's no sense trying to find a custom door if the standard doors slip right in.
You probably would be able to shave your header if you had too...many/most are over built to start with.
Be sure to raise the threshold up a little to make room for a throw rug.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
I agree with blue that you should start by checking the actual header height and that you can probably due the job yourself. You might need a bit of help when you actually hang the new door. They can be both heavy and ackward.
What is the ceiling height? How far is it from the top of the existing door to the ceiling?
Even if you need to raise the header it's not that hard and I imagine you'll get all the advice you need here at BT (maybe more than you need!).
What is the wall surface? If it's sheetrock, is it texured and have you done any rock and texure repair?
If you are in a location where you could have five feet of snow on your roof you might want to wait for spring!!
You're unique! Just like everyone else! Scott Adams
Calm down, and don't go pullin' any drywall off just yet<G> maybe just the head trim...What you have to wack out depends on a few things: what's that header bearing? Gable end, just roof, roof and one floor, roof and two floors?Sliders usually aren't as tall as swinging doors, but that doesn't necessarily mean the header's not right.What's the siding?And, Blue's comment about the rug is a definite to consider. Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Edit PS: Welcome Rich, noticed this was your first post.
Why not build your own door(s) also. Built my own doors out of scrap oak pallets for less than $5 each, even including the garage sale hardware.
Examples.
Edited 11/19/2004 9:06 pm ET by JUNKHOUND
Hope this gets to everyone that replied.
Thanks for your insights.
We seem to have found a solution. There is a local guy who will modify and finish the door that we want so it will slip into the opening. Turns out it is short as we thought. We're waiting on an estimate right now, but this seems to be the way to go. He said he can install it as well, but I'm going to wait for the estimate before I go that direction.
Thanks for all your help, I'm looking forward to having a new door and knowing I can get help when I need it right here.
Rich
I'm liking you more and more - nice door!
Well it turned out loolin good this time, but I'd lay off them corn squezzin's for future designs.Never serious, but always right.
Yeah, pull the inside trim off, cut back the drywall a half-inch or so if it's tight against the door frame, and peek/poke around in there to see what the RO height really is. Then take into account that you can get away with chewing away another 1/2" or so on the top without any real rework.
If that doesn't get it for you, remove a bit of the drywall above the door to see how the header's constructed.
Worst case, given you're replacing a wide slider, you can go to a narrower opening and legally go to a shallower header, with studs on either side of the door.
Any decent lumber company or building supply place should be able to get you a door. You might have to order it, but you can probably get it in a week or so. You can also special order (if, eg, you need one an inch or two shorter, or you want a special arrangement for lights), but delivery will take several weeks.
If you're looking for a generic door, get a prehung steel unit. You can even get them prepainted if you want.
Thanks.
We've found a local guy who does nothing but doors. He's going to size it to fit the opening and finish for us. He does the installation since it is going to be a perfect fit.
The best lesson out of all this is that there are usually local folks that know what they are doing and can really help.
This option looks like it will come in at roughly half the cost of what we were quoted by our local chain type home improvement center.
Again, thanks for everyones input.
Rich