Exterior door installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What exterior door installation is

Exterior door installation replaces an entry, patio or service door with a new unit. The installer sets the frame level, flashes and seals the opening against weather, and installs lock hardware and weatherstripping. People call when a door is drafty, warped, hard to lock or damaged, or when a home needs better security and insulation.

Signs you need it

  • Drafts or daylight around the frame, or a door that does not seal at the bottom
  • A door that sticks, binds or will not latch, especially after seasons change
  • Warped, cracked or swollen door panels or frames that no longer close square
  • Water staining or rot at the bottom of the door or on the threshold
  • A worn lock, a deadbolt that does not line up with the strike, or a door that is easy to force

What the pro does

  • Remove the old door, then check the rough opening, the sill and the jambs for rot, level and square
  • Repair or replace damaged framing and the sill, then set a sill pan and flashing that drain water out of the opening
  • Set the new door unit level, plumb and square in the opening, and shim it at the hinges and the latch side
  • Fasten the frame through the shims, install the hinges and lock hardware, and check that the door swings and latches
  • Seal the exterior joints with the sealant suited to the material, add the weatherstripping and bottom seal, and fit the trim

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Door type, such as steel, fiberglass or wood, and the number of panels
  • Glass package, sidelites and transoms, and any decorative glass or grille pattern
  • Frame condition, including rot in the sill or jambs that must be repaired before the new frame goes in
  • Lock and hardware choices, including deadbolt and smart-lock options
  • Whether the opening must be enlarged or moved, which changes the framing and trim work
  • Exterior finish, such as paint or stain, and interior trim
  • Permit and inspection requirements for changes to the exterior opening

What a written quote should spell out

  • Door type, material, panel style, size and glass package, with the manufacturer named
  • Frame and sill type, and the sill pan and flashing method used
  • Hardware named, including the lock brand, the deadbolt and the handle finish
  • Weatherstripping and bottom seal type, with the threshold named
  • Framing or sill repair listed as its own line, with photos of the damage
  • Removal and disposal of the old door, and the exterior and interior trim included

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How is the sill flashed, and how does water drain out of the opening?
  • Will you check the framing and the sill for rot before the new door goes in?
  • What is the frame material, and how does it handle the weather on this side of the house?
  • What lock and hardware do you install, and does the deadbolt line up with the strike?
  • What warranty covers the door, the glass and the finish?
  • Who pulls the permit if the opening changes?
  • Can you show me a recent install with the same door type?

Red flags

  • A door set with no sill pan or flashing, relying on sealant alone at the bottom
  • Shims left out at the hinges, so the frame bows under the door's weight
  • A new door set into a rotten opening with no framing repair in the quote
  • Foam filled so tightly into the gap that the frame bows and the door will not close
  • A quote that does not say whether the old frame and sill are kept or replaced

What you can do yourself

You can safely replace the weatherstripping, the door sweep and the strike plate, and adjust a sticking latch on a door you can reach. Do not remove an exterior door frame, cut the opening or flash the sill yourself, since water and structure depend on that work. Call a pro for a new door unit, a soft sill, or a door that lets water in at the bottom.

Licenses and permits

Exterior door installation is commonly done by licensed general, window or door contractors, and rules vary by place. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and the local building office if the opening, framing or sill changes.

Exterior door installation questions

Should I choose a steel or fiberglass door?

Both are common for exterior doors. Steel is strong but can dent. Fiberglass resists dents and can be made to look like wood. The right choice depends on the exposure, the look and the security you want. A pro can show you samples.

Why does my new door still stick?

Usually the frame is out of square, the hinges are not shimmed, or the sill has settled. A pro should check the frame and the opening before adjusting the door.

Can I keep the old frame and only replace the door?

Sometimes, if the frame is sound and square. A pro should check the frame, the sill and the jamb for rot before deciding. Replacing only the door in an old frame can leave the drafts in place.

How do I stop drafts at the bottom of the door?

A good door sweep or bottom seal matched to the threshold is the usual fix. If the threshold is worn or uneven, a pro should replace it so the seal can meet it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More windows and doors guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request exterior door installation