By learning how to install an exterior door you effectively update one of the key features of your home s appearance this guide reviews how to install an entry door including how to remove the old door position the new one and update such hardware as the hinges and door knob.
How to install entry door handle.
Take along your measurements and a sketch showing which way the door swings.
Stand outside and with the door closed check where the weatherstripping on the frame contacts the door.
If it s not adjust the latch side of the door in or out and drill pilot holes in the frame at the top and bottom on the latch side.
Next you ll install the outside handle assembly.
If your new door handle attaches to the door at a point below the lower borehole like ours you may need to drill another hole to accommodate.
If you plan to install a new entry knob and deadbolt pick them out before you order the door.
Prehung exterior doors are available at home centers and lumberyards.
For example if your old door handle had rectangular cover plates it s probably best to stick to a new handle with similar rectangular cover plates rather than switching to.
Slide the adjustable throughbolt up or down as needed and press the handleset onto the door.
With the new dead bolt and latch bolt in place fit the handle over the door s existing holes.
Place the corresponding doorknob or lever on the interior side of the door fitting the two parts together.
Align the spindle on the back of the assembly with the throughbolt and the slot in the latch.
The posts for the handle s lock cylinder and thumb latch should easily slide into the dead bolt and latch bolt assemblies.
Install the exterior handle photo by ryan benyi.
Sectional handlesets have a seperate deadbolt body so the b measurement is actually variable.
Look into keyed entry door knobs also called privacy knobs portable door locks or top of door locks.
It should feel slightly snug when the two parts join.
See measurement b in the image to the right.
If you have more that 5 1 2 inches here you can still use a sectional handleset on your door.
Step 4 secure the interior hardware photo by ryan benyi.
It should be equal at the top middle and bottom.
Place the exterior handle on the door by inserting the spindle or axle on the handle through the latch cylinder at 90 degrees.
If you re in a situation where you cannot or do not want to use a drill to install your lock there are a couple ways of installing an interior door lock without a drill.
Most door handles have a standard backset of 60 mm or 70 mm so you shouldn t have any trouble finding a new door handle that fits in the existing holes in your door.
The standard residential door prep for entry doors is two 2 1 8 bore holes 5 1 2 center to center.