7 Entry Door Installation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Entry Door Installation Mistakes

During the coronavirus pandemic, the door and window industry around the planet took a serious blow. However, it has still managed to achieve an average rate of growth of about 4% each year since 2019. Experts predict that this rate of growth will continue at least until 2028.

These numbers show how much value people get out of simple pieces of technology like modern doors. However, people might not have to spend so much in this market if they could avoid common entry door installation mistakes.

Many people are excited by the prospect of managing their new entry door installation on their own. However, if you happen to make one of these common mistakes, then the job may become more expensive than you intend.

Read on to learn all about the essential things to keep in mind to help you successfully install your entry door!

1. Failing to Call the Professionals

Before we begin, it is worth noting that entry door installation can be complicated. There are many home improvement jobs you can figure out through a process of trial and error. However, making common errors when you install an entry door can mean increasing your costs and living without a proper door for far too long.

Even professionals need to learn to avoid certain common mistakes while installing entry doors. If you do not have any experience installing doors, then the most reliable option for you will be to call up a professional door installation company to help you.

Next, we will talk about mistakes you can avoid while you install your entry door. However, if some of the instructions seem too technical, that may be a sign that you will either need to hire professional help or spend longer learning about how door installation works.

2. Replacing Entry Doors Without a Sill Pan

Some people try to install doors without using a sill pan. You might even have experience using flashing tape to act as a substitute for a proper seal pan.

However, many states and cities have made it a violation of building codes to fail to use a proper rigid sill pan. There is a good reason for this. Trying to use a makeshift sill pan can make your door threshold leaky.

That can lead to expensive water damage as well. Make sure you have a rigid sill pan before you begin your entry door installation!

3. Using the Wrong Sealant

Many people don’t bother with finding any particular sealant for their door installation. However, entry doors, in particular, need to provide excellent insulation. Without using a quality sealant, your door may end up shrinking as the temperature fluctuates.

This kind of shrinking and expansion can lead to cracks that will let air from outside get into your home. This will also increase your energy bills and force your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home temperature comfortable. Look for sealants with a 100% solid composition.

4. Failing to Use Quality Door Installation Supplies

Once your door is installed, there may still be tiny leaks in the frame that need to be filled. Even if your door is technically already functioning, that does not mean that your installation job is done. Make sure to use a foam sealant to fill in these gaps.

Many people are amazed at how effective the right foam sealant can be. Even if your door has visible leaks, applying a quality foam sealant can improve your thermal and your sound insulation.

5. Using Few Screws for a New Entry Door

When you buy a new entry door to install, you may find that it comes with only three screws or so. However, you should think of three screws as the bare minimum rather than the proper number to use as you install your door.

In fact, you might need closer to a dozen screws to provide your door with a strong connection to the rest of your home. Some people are reluctant to put in a few minutes of extra work to apply some extra screws. However, these few extra minutes will provide you with a superior installation that you can enjoy for years to come.

6. Failing to Take Proper Door Measurements

Before you begin your installation job, make sure to take precise measurements of the space your door will fill. Again, it only takes a couple of minutes to triple-check all of your measurements. However, by doing so, you can minimize the chance that you will choose the wrong door or have to update your installation plans part way through.

7. Misunderstanding Different Types of Entry Doors

It is important to understand that the type of entry door you choose will affect the installation process. Most people use wooden doors, which experience a certain amount of shrinking and expansion in response to temperature. On top of that, you can shave a tiny section off your wooden door to help it fit into a tight area.

On the other hand, if you order glass doors, it will be harder to modify them. Therefore, you will need to be even more precise about your measurements.

Avoid the Most Common Entry Door Installation Mistakes

Installing a new door can be difficult, but success is often as simple as avoiding the most common entry door installation mistakes. Of course, if you have never installed a door before, it might be better for you to find help from professionals with more experience. If you do install your entry door yourself, make sure to have all of the necessary tools ready before you begin.

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