Fixer Upper was an incredibly popular show in the mid-2010s and also led many people to believe they could do handy jobs around the home. The reality, however, is a lot different from what you see on a reality TV show.
Installing residential wood doors in NYC is one of those home improvement projects that looks deceptively simple. We see a lot of people ask themselves how hard it could possibly be. Well, let’s just say it’s a job left best for professionals.
Here’s everything you need to know about installing wood doors.
Types of Wood Doors
This might come off as surprising, because wood doors shouldn’t have so many types, right? Well, they do.
1. Solid Wood Doors
First up, we’ve got solid wood doors that are made from a single type of hardwood. They’re great for bedrooms, home offices or anywhere else where you’d want good sound insulation. The catch, however, is that they’re quite expensive and heavy, which makes installation a little trickier than other types and more prone to warping.
2. Solid Core Doors
These types of doors are made from wood veneer, which is compressed wood fiber. They offer decent durability and soundproofing, and come second to solid wood doors. They’re also a lot more affordable and lighter in weight, making installations easier.
The downside to solid core doors, however, is that they can’t be refinished as many times, and damaged edges are harder to repair.
3. Flush Doors
Flush doors are smooth and flat, without panels. They’re incredibly minimalistic and great for modern spaces, closets or basically anywhere where you’d like clean lines. They can look a little boring if you’re not into that minimalistic look.
4. Panel Doors
Panel doors are popular in traditional homes and offer a classic look. Since they’re timeless, you’ll find yourself getting decades’ worth of use out of them. Panel doors, however, can collect lots of dust and are more expensive than flush doors.
Also Read: Is Professional Door Installation in NYC Worth It?
Installing a Wood Door
On home improvement TV shows, you’ll probably see people cheerfully installing wood doors in what seems like seconds. The reality, however, is far from that. The actual process involves real skill, proper tools and a lot more patience than most people have.
Here’s what actually happens:
Step 1: Measurement and Assessment
There’s an age-old saying, measure twice, cut once. We’ve tweaked that to measure a hundred times and measure some more. When installing a wood door, there’s no such thing as being too careful. These wood doors are incredibly expensive, and you simply can’t take the chance.
A professional measuring a doorway is checking:
- Exact height and width of the opening
- Whether the floor is level
- Condition of the existing frame
- Wall thickness
- Clearance for door swing
- Any obstructions
Step 2: Pre-Hung or Slab Doors?
This is the first real decision you’re making when installing a wood door.
Pre-hung doors come already mounted in a frame with hinges attached. They’re easier to install because much of the alignment work is done. For standard replacements, pre-hung is the way to go. Installation is faster, results are more consistent, and you’re less likely to end up with a door that doesn’t close properly.
Slab doors are just the door itself. You’re doing everything from scratch. This gives you maximum flexibility for custom work, but it also means you’re building the entire door system yourself. Unless you’re experienced, this is harder than it’s worth.
Step 3: Preparing your Frame
If you’re keeping an existing frame, which is common in renovations, you need to do some inspecting. Is there any rot or damage? Are the hinges in good shape, and is it finished in a way that suits your new door?
If you’re installing a new frame, the rough opening needs to be cleared of any debris, checked to see if it’s level, and confirmed that it matches the door frame.
Step 4: Setting the Frame
If you’re installing a new frame, you need to take some factors into consideration. Such as, the frame needs to be:
- Positioned in the opening
- Checked for level across the top
- Checked for plumb on both sides
Step 5: Hanging the Door
If you’re working with a pre-hung door, it’s a piece of cake. If you’re hanging a slab door onto a frame, this is where things tend to go south if you’re inexperienced:
- Mark hinge locations on both the door and the frame
- Carve out where the hinge will go
- Attach hinges to the door
- Position the door in the frame
- Attach hinges to the frame
- Check that the door swings
- Make small adjustments until everything is perfect
Step 6: Hardware Installation
When installing door handles, latches, strike plates, and deadbolts, make sure everything aligns perfectly. These are the final touches you’ll be making, so make sure they’re perfect!
Ready to Go?
Installing residential wood doors in NYC is one of those projects that sits in the uncomfortable middle ground between easy enough to be tempting and complicated enough to go wrong.
Regardless of how prepared you might think you are to take up this huge task, we’d still recommend hiring a professional. At Door Master New York, we’ve installed hundreds of residential wood doors. We handle the measurement, selection guidance, installation, and finishing for you. Contact us to discuss your project and receive a detailed consultation.
