Doors and Windows - Non-prehung exterior doors

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suobs
01-29-07, 07:13 PM
I'm framing a carport in FL and want a wind-approved double fiberglass exterior door. I was at Home Depot the other day and they had a prehung on which the frame had been destroyed in shipping - $75 for both doors no frame, about a $700 savings. Is it practical for me (average home improvement guy) to build the frame and hang the doors, or is it not worth the savings like my neighbor is saying?

Wirepuller38
01-30-07, 09:24 AM
Prehung exterior doors include an installed threshold. If you build the frame yourself, this will be the most difficult part along with getting the hinges mortised and placed correctly. If you do not need the threshold, then contruction is easier, but installation is more difficult. Just something to think about. Only you can decide, based on your skills and confidence. Good luck and let us know if you have other questions.
Wayne Mitchell
01-30-07, 11:30 AM
Jamb kits are available or you can make your own jambs. The only part that is semi difficult is mortising for the hinges and drilling for the lockset if that hasn't been done.
I would go for it. The worst outcome would be a couple of scrapped doors and you're out a few bucks. Take your time and do it right and you get a quality door cheap.

2000
01-30-07, 07:06 PM
Hire the hanging to a local shop that stocks FRP frames. You reap most of the inital savings.
suobs
01-30-07, 07:30 PM
Thanks for the advice! What are FRP frames, and on the last suggestion - your suggestion is that I would hire a shop to install the doors in a frame, which I would install in the wall, or to have the shop build a frame onsite and hang the doors in it?
mango man
01-30-07, 07:37 PM
I just did one , exterior jamb kit at HD or lowes runs about 65.00 , threshold was around 20.00 I bought a porter cable hinge template with a router bit for around 25.00

took me the better part of the day to rip out the old and hang new .

gary Katz ahas a excellent book on hanging doors for around 20 , I highly recommend it
2000
01-30-07, 07:56 PM
The door leafs are fiberglass. FRP is industry terminology for fiberglass reinforced plastic. Hanging would take place in the shop.
mango man
01-30-07, 08:15 PM
just re read that you have double doors , that does complicate it some , I would still recommend garys book to help you see if you want to handle ti yourself

might also want to get some estimates form door shops , as a comparison .
suobs
01-30-07, 08:40 PM
I'm finding 2 by Gary Katz: Installing and Hanging Doors (For Pros by Pros), and The Doorhanger's Handbook. The second one is about $60 maybe because it's out of print?
mango man
01-30-07, 08:49 PM
Ive read them both , the for pros by pros is the one I would recommend

http://www.amazon.com/Installing-Hanging-Doors-Pros/dp/1561586358/sr=8-6/qid=1170215346/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6/002-7894842-3570421?ie=UTF8&s=books
dan bort
03-03-08, 05:31 PM
Where can I purchase a porter cable hinge template, and router bit?
XSleeper
03-03-08, 08:31 PM
Amazon, and about ten thousand other places.
mango man
03-03-08, 09:03 PM
I got mine at HD