4 Common Mistakes to Avoid During Door Installation

by Lisa Thaxton Professional Writer

Front door installation is a worthwhile investment as it accentuates the exterior look, reduces energy bill and make home a more comfortable place. Homeowners could, however, end up spending more on costly repairs, if door installation goes bad. Inefficient heating and cooling, more energy bills, leaks and infestation are the common problems that arise from improper door installation. Whether you take up door installation as a DIY job or call a professional in MA or any other area for assistance, ensure that it is properly installed to avoid any inconvenience or additional expense at the later stage.

We discuss the four common mistakes that individuals make while fitting the door in this blog post:

Leaving uneven gap at the top

An uneven gap at the top of the door could be because of two reasons:

Door hinge side is out of plumb
Unleveled flooring

An effective solution to the problem is to space the jambs off the floor while installing the door. Do this either in new construction or before installing the carpet on the floor. The technique lets the installer either increase or reduce the door jambs to make perfect gap across the top. When installing the door on a finished floor, cut or trim one side of the door jamb.

Using the wrong hinge screws

Using the right screws or 3 ½” screws is necessary as these keep the door stable. The door might move from its position on using too small screws, which would cause the door rub on the floor or prevent it from shutting properly. If you tighten the screws in a wrong direction, it could create an uneven tension on the door, causing twists and curves in the screw.

Improper placement of shims

Shim is the metal strip used to align parts so that they fit properly and reduce wear. Make sure the thick end of the shim faces the hinge pin of the door, as it supports the swing shut motion. If you install the shim backwards, the door will show resistance before shutting. The wrong placement of shim could also be the reason for the door going loose and opening or shutting on its own.

Using the wrong tools

When you use wrong tools for the job, you might end up installing the door incorrectly, or the process could become time-consuming. Use high-quality levels or the specialized ones for door installation, so that the job gets easy and you do it with perfection.

Last Few Words...

If you want the desired level of precision, leave the job of door installation to a professional. The reason is they are experienced and have the right tools and equipment to ensure accuracy and reduce chances of errors. Individuals who are still willing to take it as a DIY job need to refer to online tutorials and guides to avoid any installation related problem in the future.