Doors and Windows - Garage entry door

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V8 Powered
01-29-07, 10:00 AM
I'm updating all the interior doors in my house including the entry door from the garage to the house. The current 1960's door is all wood and I want to get a steel prehung door and had a couple of questions.

I'm assuming the door jamb is steel as well. I've seen one piece units that include a built in threshold in the jamb. Do you shim it all up for plumb through the hinge screws only? If you shim it on the latch side, how are the screws concealed?

Is there a way to fit the new door lock hardware to my existing house key?

Thanks!


chandler
01-29-07, 06:55 PM
The jamb will be wood, and will have an attached threshold. Be sure to buy the correct "handedness" of the frame. The frame should be attached solidly to the hinge side, shimmed to plumb, and then shim and attach the latch side, making sure the head is level. Once the unit is installed, install 3" screws through two of the holes of the top hinge, so they go into the support lumber behind the casing to prevent the door from sagging. Not sure what you mean by hiding the screws. Once the door is secured in the frame, an application of wood filler in the holes will do that.

Randy Mallory
01-30-07, 10:48 AM
V8 Powered,

If the door you end up purchasing happens to be like all of my exterior metal doors, you may be able to pop the weather stripping out. On mine, it's a simple matter of pulling it out...they only had one staple at the very top corner. If so, the weather stripping will hid the screws when you put it back in.


marksr
01-30-07, 11:25 AM
Be sure to measure well before buying your metal prehung to make sure you have enough room to install it in the existing framing. Sometimes wood drs were cut short or planed to make them fit.

All locks should be interchangeable but you may not want an old lock on a new door. Easy enough to get new lock keyed to fit existing keys.

V8 Powered
01-31-07, 09:20 AM
All of your answers were very helpful. It's been a bit cold here so it will have to be a spring project.

Thanks!

Banjoe
03-02-07, 11:52 AM
Just be sure the lock on the doors is properly install. Have an advise of a hardware staff for the lock and keys and the installation of its hinges and screws for better safety.

Just remember entry door on garage is very important.

All the ideas given are very helpful for all of us.

Hope to share more on this forum. Thanks.

are34
03-09-07, 10:41 PM
I changed out my side garage door last year with a metal one. My advice is
get a fiberglass door. Reason being the metal door gets dings and dents in it. Especially if you got kids , they are rough on doors.

Just Bill
03-10-07, 05:21 AM
are34, most fire codes require that the garage entry door be metal.