Caring for your new door(s) is simple. Our durable doors are easy to clean with a damp microfiber cloth. To fix small dings and dents, you can simply apply glaze to the area — this protects it from further damage and improves appearance. You should not use abrasive cleaning products on your new doors, as this can damage the finish.
Follow this tutorial video for more information on repairing stain and clear coat blemishes
Fortunately, the wood construction of most of our doors offers the ability to refinish or paint at any time. We suggest researching your region to find the best refinishing products for your door.
When replacing an existing door or installing a new door, you’ll need to know how to measure for new doors. So, get out your measuring tape, a pencil, so you can gather the following three measurements you will need for each door:
To accurately measure the rough opening dimensions on an existing door, remove the 3 pieces of trim (header trim, door strike trim and hinge trim) surrounding the door to reveal the rough opening space. Most trim pieces can be carefully removed for reuse and it is only necessary to remove the trim pieces on one side of the door.
Using your blueprints, locate each doorway in the home and create a list, labeling each door with the rough opening sizes. The rough opening sizes are usually listed as part of the architectural drawing. If not and the home is already framed – measure the width and height of each rough opening. Always be precise when measuring and don’t round up or down. Label each door along with the corresponding measurement. Measure the height twice once in each corner of the rough opening. Measure the width at the top center and bottom of the rough opening – recording the smallest measurement.
For a simple way to determine door handing, stand with your back to the side of the door frame where the hinges will be (or the pivot side for a pivot door). Imagine your arm is the door - if the door would open to the left, it's a left-handed door; if it would open to the right, it's a right-handeddoor.
A pre-hung door is a convenient all-in-one solution, including the door slab, frame, and hinges. For novice DIYers, a pre-hung door is the ideal choice, as you simply need to select the right size, purchase the package, and install the complete unit. Likewise, pre-hung doors can save substantial time when replacing multiple interior doors during a full home renovation.
Yes, a new front door can significantly increase a home's value. In fact, it's one of the most cost-effective home improvements and can provide a great return on investment (ROI):
Protection and energy efficiency
A quality entry door can provide protection and energy efficiency.
Curb appeal
A stylish front door can increase curb appeal, which can increase property value by up to 7%.
First impression
A new front door can give potential buyers a great first impression of your home.
ROI
A new front door can offer a potential ROI of around 75%. This means you'll get back about 75% of what you spent on your new entry door in the form of your home's increased value.
Factors that can affect the ROI of a new front door include:
Material: The material of the door, such as steel or fiberglass, can affect the ROI.
Installation cost: The cost of installation can affect the ROI.
Value added: The value that the replacement adds to the home can affect the ROI.
We offer a 1-Year Limited Warranty with your purchase. The warranty coverage depends on the overhang above your door and its exposure to the elements. Our doors are produced with the highest quality craftsmanship, but if you are not satisfied with your door, we will be happy to assist you. Please visit our Return Policy page for complete details.
Engineered stiles and rails are a great way to maintain the strength and longevity of a natural wood door over time. The engineered wood is made with doweled construction and multiple layers of real wood, which provides a sturdier and more durable option than a traditional solid wood door. This helps prevent warping and provides more insulation for your home.
This engineering allows for your door to expand and contract to accommodate changes in climate. Solid doors tend to warp and crack when exposed to moisture, due to the organic nature of the wood. All of our wood doors have a solid wood panel in the center, and are made entirely out of Knotty Alder, Douglas Fir, or Hemlock wood.
Whether you are installing an exterior entry door or replacing one of your interior doors, few weekend projects will do more to dramatically improve the looks of your home or give you a greater sense of accomplishment. A mastery of basic carpentry skills, the following step-by-step guide and the following basic hand tools are all you’ll need to complete most of the job
Although there are many door options out there, the style and crisp detailing of a quality hardwood door are really unmatched. Before you select the door of your dreams, you’ll want to get some essential measurements first.
Door Size
If you are replacing an existing door, measure the width and height of the door and then round up to the nearest inch to get the size of the replacement door you’ll need. For example, if your door measures 35-7/8 in. wide by 79-3/4 in. tall, you’ll order a 36-in. by 80-in. door.
Jamb width
For pre-hung doors, getting the right jamb width will ensure your door fits in the opening with trim sitting flush to the wall. The jamb width is measured from the backside of the interior trim to the backside of the exterior trim.
Rough opening
The rough opening is the opening into which the door frame is fitted. To get this measurement, you will need to remove any existing trim work on at least one side of the door. If replacing an exterior door, we recommend removing the interior trim while leaving the exterior trim intact (it will help to have the trim on one side later in the process).
Remove the old door
After you have your measurements, you are ready to begin the process of installing your door. If you are replacing an existing door, you will need to remove the previous door first, along with its frame. To begin, remove the previous door from the sill and remove the frame from the wall using a handsaw. Start by pulling the pins from the hinges (a hammer and nail set are useful for tapping the pins from the bottom) and removing the door from the frame. It’s also a good idea to lay a drop-cloth down to protect the floor. The old door may be heavy, so you may want an extra hand to help with this step.
Next, pry loose the old trim from the door frame, starting on the interior side. Most trim is caulked in, so you’ll want to score the intersection between the molding and jamb with a utility knife to allow the trim a clean release. Also, it’s a good idea to use a wide putty knife against the interior wall wherever you are prying to prevent the pry bar from damaging the wall. Follow these same steps to remove the exterior trim.
Jambs are generally paired with a door and we recommend against trying to reuse an existing jamb as it will be extremely difficult to get the door to swing properly. Using a handsaw, your next step is to cut completely through the side jamb to make it easier to tear out the entire frame. With one jamb cut, simply pry the jambs loose and pull them out of the opening.
Now you should be ready to begin the process of actually installing your new door following these steps:
Step 1: Prep the sill of the new door
Once the prior door frame is removed, check the condition of the opening to see if anything needs to be addressed or repaired. If any wood is rotted it is essential that it be removed. This is especially important to consider if you are replacing an exterior door. Check the sizing of the new sill. If it is thinner than the previous door sill, you will need to use caulk and additional wood to build up the sill area.
When setting the height of the sill, consider the type of flooring involved. Your door should go as close to the floor as possible without being stuck on the carpeting or rugs when it swings. Once the sill is installed you can use additional shims to level it and then fasten it with deck screws for reinforcement.
It is especially important that exterior doors are sealed, as this will prevent moisture from building up in your home. Use flashing tape to cover the rough sill area. You should put the tape around the sides of the opening and front edges.
Step 2: Set the door in the opening
This is the most important step for ensuring your door swings properly in the opening. Before putting the door in place, this is the best time to ensure the building paper is still intact around the frame edges. The building paper provides protection for the walls from outside elements and should be covered with No. 15 felt. After checking on the building paper, you may want to dry-fit your door in the opening and make any necessary adjustments to the frame to ensure your new door will fit. Once you are confident of a good fit, go ahead and apply a bead of caulk along the sides and top of the door opening and at the sill (according to the manufacturer’s instructions), and then tip the door into the opening. Since your door may be heavy, you may want someone available to help with this step.
With the door in the opening, your goal should be to center the door in the opening and use shims between the jambs and the frame to ensure the jambs are plumb and straight and that the door is level. When you’re happy with the fit, use galvanized casing nails to tack through the jamb and shims and into the framing.
Start inserting shims on the hinge-side jamb where it’s a good idea to ensure there are shims behind each hinge. If the gap is extra-large, you may want to start with a piece of plywood and then finish with pairs of shims. It is most critical that the hinge-side jamb remain plumb. Once the jambs are secure and you’ve ensured they are still plumb, it’s a good idea to replace the screw closest to the inside of the jamb in each hinge with one long enough to reach the framing to keep the door from sagging over time.
Next insert shims in the latch-side jamb, inserting near the top, at the middle and near the bottom of the jamb. With this side, you are trying to ensure a consistent gap between the door and the doorjamb. Once you are pleased with the gap, proceed to secure the jamb with your galvanized casing nails.
With the door in place, you’ll next want to trim the shims so they are flush with the edge of the jambs. The simplest way to do this is to score the shim with a utility knife and then break them off. You may have to trim off any excess pieces protruding from the gap to ensure trim will lay flat over the opening.
Step 3: Insulate, caulk and install the trim
The final step to installing a door is to insulate, put up the trim and finish caulk. This final step is especially important for exterior doors. To insulate, fill the space between the doorjamb with minimal expanding foam installation, which you can purchase at your standard home goods store. Once the foam is expanded, skim over it to smooth it out and loosely stuff any leftover space with bits of fiberglass installation. Then, put up the interior trim or re-install the previous trim and use caulk to reinforce it. You’ll want to place the caulk in small beads between the siding and trim. Make sure that there are no gaps present and that the door and trim are sturdy. If the door is especially large, it may require an additional trim board underneath the sill so to support its most outer edge.
Once the door is up, the trim is in place and the entire structure is properly insulated, you can start focusing on the appearance of the door and use whatever paint or stain you’d like to have it match your household.
Congratulations! You now know how to install doors!
Due to the large and heavy nature of doors, we ship our doors using LTL Freight. This means that your door will arrive on a semi-truck. Our shipping agreement with the freight lines is curbside delivery only. This means your door will be delivered curbside and it is your responsibility to bring the shipment from the curb to your home.
Fiberglass exterior doors are among the strongest on the market. They’re also some of the most energy-efficient. Fiberglass is a poor conductor of heat, making it energy-efficient on its own, but when insulation is added, it’s hard to beat.
Replacing an exterior door without replacing the frame is not only possible but also beneficial. This approach allows you to maintain the authenticity and integrity of your home, especially in older buildings where the original frame complements the architectural style.
If you want to install a new door without replacing your doorframe, you must first assess the condition of your existing frame and ensure the new door is a perfect fit. This is an ideal option if your current frame is in good condition, but you still want to update or replace the door for aesthetic or functional reasons.
In this case, you can simply purchase a slab door, which comes without a doorframe. This eliminates the need to replace the entire door system, saving you time and money while preserving the original character of your home.
The average front door has a lifespan of about 20 years. However, this lifespan can vary significantly depending on the door's material and the level of care and maintenance it receives. For instance, a solid wood door that is properly sealed and protected from the elements can last much longer than an unprotected steel door. Generally speaking, it's advisable to plan on replacing a front door every two decades or so.
Wood doors are a timeless, stylish choice that offer good resilience, especially when treated with protective coatings and paint. Wood also provides excellent thermal insulation in the winter, as it does not conduct heat as readily as materials like steel.
Given wood's aesthetic appeal and insulative properties, many homeowners opt for sturdy, well-crafted wood front doors to maximize both style and cold weather protection. However, regular cleaning, maintenance, and repairs are necessary to ensure the longevity of wood front doors.
Compared to wood, fiberglass is a more durable and low-maintenance material. It resists rot and warping even when exposed to water, and it has decent insulating properties, especially when combined with a polyurethane foam core. Fiberglass front doors also come in a wide array of colors, textures, and finishes.
In fact, many leading front door manufacturers offer fiberglass models with a convincing woodgrain appearance that mimics the look and feel of real wood. These high-quality fiberglass doors combine the aesthetic appeal of wood with the inherent durability and weather-resistance of fiberglass, providing the best of both worlds.
Knotty alder is a visually stunning and highly resilient wood species that complements rustic, western, or Mediterranean design styles. This medium-density hardwood features a beautiful range of hues, from light honey with peach undertones to light brown with cherry accents. The fine grain is made even more pronounced and eye-catching with stains and other finishing treatments. Despite its softness compared to other hardwoods, knotty alder's informal presence is both sturdy and complementary, characterized by elegant burls and open, solid knots.
Interested in a door with charm, strength and exceptional stain or paint possibilities? Douglas fir adds natural beauty and can be employed in virtually any door style to match a wide range of architectural styles. Its tight, vertical grain patterns and warm coloring add design allure. Known for its resistance to rot and pests, a painted or stained Douglas fir door can uphold its beautiful appearance and last for generations in many types of climates and weather conditions with proper protection and periodic maintenance.
Yes!
Fiberglass doors offer exceptional durability, a key advantage over wood. Unlike wooden doors, fiberglass will not warp, rot, or corrode, making it a long-lasting and weather-resistant choice. This remarkable resilience means fiberglass doors can endure diverse climate conditions without the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
Solid wood interior doors offer superior sound insulation and a warm, natural aesthetic that complements any home decor. Available in a range of wood species, these classic doors provide a substantial, high-quality feel that is unmatched by hollow core or solid core fiberglass alternatives.
The frequency for changing interior doors depends on various factors. The door's material affects its longevity, as does the level of usage. For instance, a low-quality door in a high-traffic area will likely have a shorter lifespan than a high-quality door in a low-traffic space.
The environment also impacts a door's durability. Humid conditions can cause warping, leading to quicker replacement needs compared to a drier environment. Additionally, proper maintenance, such as promptly addressing minor issues, can prevent major damage and extend the door's lifetime.
Finally, the quality of installation plays a role. A professionally installed door that operates smoothly will experience less wear and tear, potentially lasting longer.
On average, interior doors have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
