“Can I install my own front door?” This is a question we are sometimes asked by folks buying new doors in our Cary, NC store.
The short answer to this question is: Yes. With some tools, preparation, manpower, and knowledge, you can absolutely install your own front door. And we can understand the appeal of saving money by DIY-ing house projects.
But, there are many compelling reasons why you may not want to. We advise our customers to hire professionals to install their new front doors, and here’s why.
You risk your safety when you install your own front door
New doors are heavy and big, making them awkward to lift into place if you are unfamiliar with this process. And to properly install a door, you must hold it in place while leveling and adjusting it. The weight of the door combined with the time required to align it properly make this a job with a high risk for injury.
Also, to properly install your new front door, you may need to cut shims and moulding using saws and other power tools.
The risks of injuring yourself on this project are relatively high compared with other house projects.
This is the top reason that we tell homeowners not to DIY their new front door installation.
You may damage your brand-new front door trying to install it yourself
We have had more than one customer return to us, embarrassed, needing to order a second front door. In trying to self-install, they damaged the original panel beyond usability.
Unfortunately, ordering a replacement door cost them much more than paying for installation would have cost.
You may not align the door properly
A properly aligned door, or one that is plumb, level, and square, is a thing of beauty. It fits perfectly into frame on all four sides.
A plumb door does not:
- Stick
- Squeak
- Refuse to lock
- Let in a draft
- Have light shining through one or more sides
If your new front door isn’t in perfect alignment, it simply won’t function properly. Over time this may cost you unnecessary time, money, and frustration.
Our installation crew are sometimes faced with the challenge of properly aligning a door into a wall which isn’t plumb. The degree of exactness that this requires can’t be overstated.
If you wouldn’t describe yourself as meticulous, patient, and precise, then you may not want to install your own front door!
You may lose all the energy savings you just paid for
Have you read our guide to choosing an energy-efficient front door? If so, then you know that installation is the great decider of how energy efficient your door actually is.
Even the door with the best energy rating will ultimately cost you energy savings if it’s not installed correctly.
Over time, an improperly installed door may cost you more in energy savings lost than paying an installation team would have cost.
There are just some secrets that only the pros know
We’ve learned a lot since we first started installing doors for Cary, NC homeowners back in 2007.
For instance, we’ve learned that the best caulk for a new door isn’t the standard door caulk that you’ll find recommended by most big box stores. Instead, we have found that high grade, expansion-resistant silicone caulk is the best material to ensure that new doors function perfectly. This caulk helps doors retain their energy efficiency, even with the temperature swings and high humidity we see here in central North Carolina.
At every step of the process, there are trade secrets like this that the average homeowner doesn’t know.
Bonus reason number 6: Not having to deal with the old front door!
If you hire a professional installation crew, they have to do all the clean up and haul away your old door and all the construction debris.
Going the DIY route means you’ll also need to be able to dispose of your old door. For many homeowners, this hassle alone makes hiring a professional installation team well worth the cost.
Summary
When it’s time to replace your old front door, you want to work with a team you can trust. From choosing your door through installation day, you need to work with professionals who will care for your home and your investment as if it were their own.
When you’re ready to choose your new front door, just use the form below to tell us what you need. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you when we advise against a DIY installation!
