Vinyl Door Installation

Installing The Door

• 1

  Measure the height and width of the vinyl door being installed. Add 1/2 inch to the width and 1/4 inch to the height.

  This is the ideal rough-opening size for the door. A wider gap can be shimmed and covered, but a space that is much smaller makes it difficult to fit the door in. Most vinyl doors come with instructions that will make specific recommendations as to rough-opening size.

• 2

  Set the door in place with the help of another person.

  Lift the door with one person on each end of the door. Stand it right next to the bottom plate, and make sure the outside of the door is facing out. Lift the door, and slide it into place, then center it between the two sides.

• 3

  Check the level of the bottom plate. If necessary, use shims to level the bottom of the door. Use a pry bar to lift the side that is low, slide a shim in far enough to hold the door up to the proper height. Break off excess shim. Use multiple shims if needed to add support or increase height.

• 4

  Check the "plumb" of the door, using the level. Plumb refers to vertical surfaces just like level refers to horizontal surfaces. The door needs to be plumb from left to right as you look at it, as well as inside to outside, so it doesn't lean one way or another. If the bottom plate is level, the door should be in plumb left to right. If adjustments are needed, use shims to move one side of the door until it is plumb.

• 5

  Place shims on both sides of the door, about a third of the way from the top and bottom. These are the anchor points where you will use screws to secure the door. Once the door is plumb, use caution when inserting additional shims. Using either too many or too few shims can cause a door jamb to bow.

• 6

  Drill two screw holes in each door jamb so they align with the shims.

  Recheck the door level, then install screws in all four holes, being careful not to over-tighten, or you will likely cause the door jamb to bow.

  Shim the top of the door if there is more than 1/4-inch gap. Do not use screws in the top of the door.

• 7

  Test the glide of the door.

  If there is any drag, or it doesn't fully close, recheck the shims and screws to make sure you haven't over-tightened. If you've done it all right, your door should slide easily.

Finishing The Installation

• 8

  Seal the door on all sides, using silicone-based caulk. Apply the caulk, then use a wet finger or caulk "finishing" tool to smooth the surface. Larger gaps (more than 1/4 inch) can be filled using expanding foam insulation.

• 9

  Cut the trim: Measure the height of the door frame. Leave one end of the trim cut at a 90-degree angle, and cut the other end at a 45-degree angle. The short side should be the length of the door frame height.

  Measure the length of the door frame at the top. Cut the final trim piece with a 45-degree angle at each end.

• 10

  Install trim: Starting with the side pieces, hold the trim in place, making sure it is plumb, then use finishing nails to secure in place. Repeat with the top piece, checking that it is level.

  Use the nail punch to recess the finishing nails just a bit below the surface, by holding the small end of the punch on the nail head, and striking the fat end of the punch lightly with a hammer.

• 11

  Apply a small amount of caulk in each nail hole with a finger tip to make a smooth surface and hide the nail hole once you've painted. If the corners do not fit exactly, use caulk to fill those gaps as well.