Everything You Need to Know About Door Installation

Doors are a major part of any property. In addition to their practical uses, properly installed internal and external doors increase the curb appeal of your home or premises, improve its insulation, and protect it from unlawful entry. 

In previous articles, we gave you some pointers on how to find a great carpenter and answered a few frequent questions about kitchen cabinet replacement and repair. Now we’ll take a look at one of the most commonly-requested carpenter services in Fort Collins: door installation. Read on.

Is it difficult to install a door?

The difficulty of the installation process largely depends on the type, size, and shape of the door. As a general rule, internal doors tend to be more affordable and easier to install than external doors. 

The main factors to consider include:

Prehung doors vs doors from slabs

Prehung doors are already attached to a door frame and arrive with jambs and hinges already in place. Since they come in standard prehung sizes, they’re easier to install than custom-made doors or doors that go into non-standard openings.

If your door is one of the later, you’ll need to purchase a slab and manually install the hinges and jambs to make the door fully functional. Unless you have a background in door installation, this task is best left to the professionals.

Size and weight of the door

Doors are bulky. Even a light interior door still needs to be handled carefully to prevent improper installation, damage to the door, or even personal injury. Larger doors may need additional hands and specialized tools in order to be installed correctly.

Floor level

Sometimes, in order to align the door with the floor and make sure it fits securely into the opening, you’ll need to trim or shave the door, or add shims. This can apply to not only the height and width of the door, but also depth.

Who can install doors?

Unless you have prior training and experience in door repair and installation, you should outsource this task to professional carpenters. Doing so not only saves you time and keeps you from getting injured, it’s actually a crucial step in keeping yourself, your family, and your belongings safe.

After all, an improperly installed or repaired exterior door can be a severe security risk that burglars and other criminals can use to gain access to your property. To ensure your peace of mind and prevent costly door replacements down the road, you should always have your doors installed by an expert craftsman. 

How long does it take to install a door?

Most doors take between a few hours to install, depending on their complexity, the skill of the installers, and how many people are involved. Custom locks and slabs, floor level alignments, and other extra tasks can sometimes prolong the installation process. 

Estimated entry door replacement time:

• Standard single prehungs tend to take 2.5 to 4 hours when installed by one or two technicians
• Single prehung with two sidelites takes 4.5 to 7 hours with two technicians
• Double prehungs can take 3.5 to 6 hours with two technicians
• Double prehung with a top window takes 4 to 8 hours with two technicians

Where can I schedule high-quality carpenter services in Fort Collins?

As always, the best way to ensure your internal and external doors are installed, repaired, and maintained correctly is to outsource the task to a reliable home improvement company like Handyman Connection of Fort Collins. 

Our team of expert handymen includes highly qualified and experienced carpenters, plumbers, electricians, remodelers, and painters. They will gladly take care of your home improvement and maintenance needs while you spend a leisurely afternoon at The Gardens on Spring Creek with your family. Contact us today.