help with new entry door

[crazysccrmd]

I just bought an older house (1944 build) and was looking at replacing the wooden front door with a metal one. I did the measurements and they don't quite match up with sizes I'm seeing online at home depot. It measures 78 3/4"x36"x1 3/4". The deadbolt is centered 38" from the top and handle 41 1/2".

[JsnVR6Corrado]

Are the dimensions the actual door slab?

Did you ask home depot if they could custom order a door?

Were you planning on removing the old door frame?

If you were planning on keeping the door frame, is there enough clearance to remove the sill and install a new one to give you the 80" that a standard door requires?

[crazysccrmd]

Those are the actual door measurements. I haven't been by home depot yet, just checked out the website. I don't wantto replace the frame and will have to look into removing the sill possibly to make more room if needed.

[GeoffD]

Those are the actual door measurements. I haven't been by home depot yet, just checked out the website. I don't wantto replace the frame and will have to look into removing the sill possibly to make more room if needed.

You really do want to replace it with a pre-hung door with a weather stripped frame. You can custom order it so it drops right in. It's way easier to do that than to mess around trying to custom order a door that kind-a sort-a fits and then try to deal with door framing that isn't square and messing around trying get the hinges and lock set to work.

[barry2952]

Agreed. They make doors that retrofit into the existing door opening. They should be readily available at any of the big box suppliers.

You take off the door trim, secure the flange of the retrofit to the existing opening and reinstall your old trim, or new stuff. It's a simple job that can easily be completed in an afternoon.

[GeoffD]

Agreed. They make doors that retrofit into the existing door opening. They should be readily available at any of the big box suppliers.

You take off the lead paint coated door trim & throw it in the dumpster, fix all the rot and insect damage, secure the flange of the retrofit to the existing opening, spray foam into all the cracks to stop air leaks, and install new trim. It's a simple job that can easily be completed in a weekend.

From my experience with older houses.... Fixed it for you.

I also suggest a fiberglass door with a vinyl clad frame rather than a metal door. They have better insulation properties.

[Mk1Racer]

You really do want to replace it with a pre-hung door with a weather stripped frame. You can custom order it so it drops right in. It's way easier to do that than to mess around trying to custom order a door that kind-a sort-a fits and then try to deal with door framing that isn't square and messing around trying get the hinges and lock set to work.

From my experience with older houses.... Fixed it for you.

I also suggest a fiberglass door with a vinyl clad frame rather than a metal door. They have better insulation properties.

Listen to Geoff, that is some good advice. I've replaced the entry doors on probably 2 dozen houses, and pre-hung is the way to go. Take the interior trim off, and measure the distance between the framing. This is your rough opening width. Check it at the top, middle, and bottom of the door. Use the smallest of the numbers. Do the same thing w/ the height. Measure both the left and the right. Go to your local lumber yard (skip HD and Lowe's), and talk to someone there that sells windows and doors. Make sure that when you talk about your rough opening dimensions, you tell the sales person that your rough opening height is measured from the finished floor.

I would also stay away from a metal door. They don't insulate as well, and the ding and dent very easily. I sold (and installed) Therma-Tru doors for several years. Their Fiber Classic Series is a nice line of doors.

If you're reasonably handy, and can get someone to help you, that knows what they're doing, you can do the job, from pulling the old door to putting the new trim up, in a couple of hours.

Also, get the low-expansion spray foam (usually says for windows and doors).