Replacing doors often requires professional precision and installation. With just a tiny misalignment your door may not function properly, and if not sealed correctly, you could face leaks and drafts. We’ve broken down the work needed to properly replace doors and the financial investment required to do so.
Is replacing a door difficult?
Yes. Replacing a door is no small feat and is almost always worth investing in a professional to complete the job. It requires precision, time and a healthy amount of building know-how. If a door is installed incorrectly, it could lead to water damage and a reduction in your home’s energy efficiency. Only attempt to replace a door yourself if you’re confident you can do so safely and to the same standard as a professional.
What’s the process of replacing an interior or exterior door?
A professional from Duco Group can help you through the standard process below:
- Selecting a replacement door—If your existing door frame is in good condition, you could save some cash by replacing just the door slab instead of buying a pre-hung door with a frame attached.
- Our professional team will remove the old door
- Assess and prepare the opening. If your new door is a different size from the existing one, our team will reshape it to fit.
- Installation of the new door: We fit the door in place, using shims to ensure it’s level. Once secured, we install hinges, hang the door, and fit your locks and deadbolts. Finally, we weatherproof your door with caulk sealant and apply weatherstripping around the frame to insulate and protect your home’s interior from water damage.
- Trim and finishing touches - install interior and exterior trim, and paint/stain to personal preference.
Can I replace a door without replacing the frame?
Replacing a door without the frame is possible but is expensive if you get it wrong. If your existing frame is in good condition and you’re looking to upgrade your door, you can simply remove the door slab and replace it with a new slab, provided it is the same size and fits within the frame. Ensuring the slab is the exact same size is paramount so that it fits perfectly inside the frame. Older houses often don’t have exact measurements, so you need to be careful, as old doorways are rarely square.
If you’re unsure, contact our team for professional help.
How do you replace windows with French doors?
If you’re looking to replace existing windows in your home with French doors, there are several factors to consider before proceeding with the work. Firstly, you must ensure that building consent isn’t required for the process. If it is, you must apply for it, holding off from completing any work until it’s been approved.
Your second factor to consider is whether you want to carry out the work yourself or if you should employ a professional. A professional like Duco Group can provide peace of mind in the knowledge that the work will uphold the structural integrity of your home and that all necessary work is carried out to sufficiently insulate and protect your property from water damage. Unless you’re sure that you’re fully equipped to deal with all of this, seeking the help of a professional is strongly recommended.
The installation itself can be broken down into four major tasks:
- Removing the old windows.
- Assessing and preparing the opening: If the French doors are a different size from the windows that were in place, you may need to modify the opening.
- Installing the French doors: Once the doors have been fitted into place with shims to ensure they’re perfectly aligned, it’s time to weather strip, caulk, and insulate around the frame.
- Trim & painting: Install trim on the interior and exterior of the doors and stain or paint it for aesthetic purposes.
How much does it cost to replace a door?
When costing a door replacement, you must consider the door's cost, including handles and locks, trim, weatherstripping, and paid labour. Each door is different, so depending on the type of door and materials used, the door alone can range from $250 to $2000 or more.
Depending on your specifications, all additional necessary accessories will cost between $500 and $1000. If you opt to have your door professionally fitted, you’ll need to factor in labour, which fluctuates depending on the complexity of the installation.
Our team can help you through the selection process. Get in touch today.