I am installing a new front door on my house and can't seem to get it completely sealed. It's always one corner that has a gap. The house is 50 or so years old and it's a new steel door and wood frame. What are the tricks to getting this in and sealed?
Advice on installing new door for my house...
- Thread starter klrv6
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did you try making shims from scrap wood to try and angle it in? you can buy them but i just make them by taking a scrap piece of 2x4 and take a chisel on the end at an angle to break little strips like a right angle triangle til you get the size that fits. does that make sense? kinda hard to explain.
DailyDrifter
The Slow and the Curious
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- Dec 5, 2007
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- 5,118
Is the gap between the frame and door? If it is you can cut card board and shim in between the hinge and the frame to tighten up the gap a little. Also make sure the frame is square by measuring corner to corner on the frame.
The gaps *look* good all the way around 1/8 inch and square. The problem is that the weatherstrip sealing surface has a gap at the top or bottom, depending on how I angle the side with the hinges.
I did however shoot it with some Dupont Chroma One white paint and buff the thing
Just need to adjust it now.
I did however shoot it with some Dupont Chroma One white paint and buff the thing
Just need to adjust it now.
TexasT
Texas, Where are you from
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2002
- Messages
- 7,142
You might try shimming up the hinge with some paper or cardboard(I've even used washers) to get the thing sealed. Depends where the gap is as to which hinge you put the shim behind.
Thanks guys!
I ended up ripping everything out to the foundation and putting in new wood. Turns out the walls aren't straight/plum and I was lining the door to that. I now have it sitting the way it should and will clean the rest up with molding. Thanks!
I ended up ripping everything out to the foundation and putting in new wood. Turns out the walls aren't straight/plum and I was lining the door to that. I now have it sitting the way it should and will clean the rest up with molding. Thanks!
jpwalt1987
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2003
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- 1,885
I have a wall that isnt right also. So what I did was nail some old peices of casing to the door frame on the side that is in the house. Then I just pushed it flush up against the wall and temp nailed it. I had to make sure it was centered side to side on the outside , then proceeded with the shhims and spacers in the sides. Make sure NOT to remove the nails that hold the door to the frame(from the manufactorer) until you have the door situated properly. Then after the door is nailed in place take a hacksaw blade and cut those nails between the door and the frame. I figured this out the hard way:biggrin:
