How To Install Prehung Interior French Doors

How to Install Prehung Interior French Doors

Installing prehung interior French doors can significantly elevate your home's aesthetic appeal and enhance the overall design. Prehung doors come with the doorjamb, casing, and sometimes even hardware already attached, simplifying the installation process. This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step approach to installing prehung French doors, ensuring a successful outcome.

1. Prepare the Opening

Before starting the installation, it is crucial to properly prepare the doorway opening. This step involves ensuring the opening is adequately sized for the prehung door unit and is level and plumb.

Measure and Adjust the Opening: Measure the width and height of the prehung door unit. If the existing opening is too wide or too high, you can adjust it using a saw or a router. For a wider opening, remove the extra material from the sides. If the opening is too high, remove material from the top. The opening should be slightly smaller than the door unit to allow for shims and proper fit.

Level and Plumb: Use a level and a plumb bob to ensure the existing opening is level and plumb. This is critical for ensuring the doors hang properly and function smoothly. If the opening is not level or plumb, use shims to adjust it before installing the door unit.

Remove Existing Door and Trim: Remove the existing door and any trim around the opening. This will provide you with a clean slate for installing the new door unit.

2. Install the Door Unit

With the opening prepared, you can proceed to install the prehung door unit. This involves carefully positioning the unit within the opening, securing it in place using screws and shims, and ensuring proper alignment and levelness.

Position the Door Unit: Carefully align the door unit with the opening, making sure the bottom of the doorjamb is flush with the floor. Use shims to adjust the unit's position and ensure it is plumb and level.

Secure the Door Unit: Secure the door unit to the framing using screws or nails provided with the kit. Use the right size and type of fasteners for your framing material. Be sure to countersink the screws or nails to ensure a smooth and even surface for the trim.

Install the Strike Plate: Locate the strike plate on the doorjamb and mark the position on the door frame. Attach the strike plate to the door frame using screws or nails.

3. Finish the Installation

The final stage of the installation involves adding finishing touches to the door unit. This step includes cutting and installing the casing around the doorway, applying trim, and installing the door hardware.

Install the Casing: Cut the casing to size and install it around the doorjamb using nails or glue. Make sure the casing is aligned and flush with the jamb.

Apply Trim: Add any additional decorative trim, such as baseboards and crown molding, to further enhance the door unit's appearance.

Install the Door Hardware: Attach the door handle, hinges, and any other hardware to the door and doorjamb.

Check Functionality: After installing the hardware, test the doors to ensure they swing freely and close properly. Make any necessary adjustments as needed.

Clean Up: Clean any debris or sawdust from the installation area to complete the project.

Remember, installing prehung interior French doors can be challenging and requires careful measurement, precise cutting, and skilled installation techniques. If you are not comfortable performing these tasks, it is highly recommended to seek professional assistance from a qualified contractor or handyman.