How to Replace Drafty Sunroom Doors With French Doors

Removing the Drafty Door

• 1

  Insert a flat screwdriver under the head of the door hinge pins. Tap the butt of the screwdriver with a hammer to lift the pins out. When all of the hinge pins are removed, the door is free and ready for disposal.

• 2

  Grab a sliding door on each side. Pick the door straight up and swing the bottom out to remove the door. If the track wheels get stuck, turn the set screws on the bottom of the door counterclockwise to retract the wheels.

• 3

  Remove the stationary door of your sliding glass door set. Pry up the track cap, which runs the length of the stationary door, using a screwdriver. Remove all the holding screws from the top and bottom of the stationary door. Slide the door toward the center. Lift up on the door and swing it out to remove the door from the track, adjusting the screws to retract the wheels if necessary.

• 4

  Wedge a pry bar under the threshold and behind the door jamb to remove them. Clean the area of debris.

Enlarging the Doorway

• 5

  Measure the opening for the existing drafty sunroom door. If a double door already exists, try to purchase pre-hung French doors to fit this space. If there is only one door, you'll need to increase the size of the doorway to accommodate the French doors.

• 6

  Run a stud finder along the interior wall to locate the studs nearest the door.

• 7

  Knock out the wall between the two studs using a sledgehammer. Cut away the exterior siding with a circular saw.

• 8

  Designate one of the studs to mount one side of the door. Cut two boards that are 2-by-4s to the same height of the door and frame, minus about 1/4-inch for clearance. Nail these boards to the designated stud. These pieces are known as jack studs.

• 9

  Install a new wall stud on the opposite side of the door opening. Drive 16d nails into the top plate and bottom plate of the wall frame. Depending on the spacing, you may be able to use an existing stud for this.

• 10

  Cut two more 2-by-4 jack studs to the same length as the opposite side. Nail these to the inside of the new wall stud.

• 11

  Measure the distance between the two wall studs. Cut and install a header to fit between the studs hat rests on top of the jack studs. You might nail together two boards that are 2-by-6 for this. You could also use 2-by-4s with three or four short 2-by-4-inch pieces, known as cripple studs, to connect the top plate of the wall with the top of the header. The width of the header must be equal to the width of the wall studs, which is 4 inches.

• 12

  Remove the bottom plate of the wall frame within the newly enlarged door gap. Cut through the bottom plate with a reciprocating or circular saw. Use a pry bar to help loosen the boards for easier removal.

• 13

  Seal all the boards of the door frame with silicone caulk. Cover the wall studs and jack studs with house wrap sheathing to prevent draftiness in the future.

Installing French Doors

• 14

  Position the French doors in the door frame opening, starting with the bottom of the door. Lift and fit the rest of the door in place.

• 15

  Check all sides of the doors with a level. Insert shims as needed between the door jambs, header and behind hinges to make the door level.

• 16

  Screw the shims into the jack studs and headers to hold the door in position.

• 17

  Drive 16d nails or 3-inch drywall screws through the frame of the pre-hung doors and into the jack studs of the wall opening. Use at least one screw for every 6 to 8 inches. Check the door for level periodically to ensure it hasn't been knocked out of place during installation.

• 18

  Fill the space between the wall frame and door frame with insulation to increase the sunroom's temperature efficiency.

• 19

  Cover the exposed studs with drywall finished to match the rest of the sunroom. Install interior and exterior door trim, and paint as desired.