Category: Door Installation Support

There are several factors to consider when you’re installing or rehabilitating an entry door. How much will you deviate from the current size, color, or material of your front door? What features are essential for you to add to your home? Will you extend that home improvement project beyond the door and further alter your front façade? During the process, it can be easy to prioritize a few features and unintentionally let others fall by the wayside. Don’t let that happen with door casings.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of door casings and explore its essential role in completing your door renovation or replacement. We’ll cover various types and styles of door casings, including the diverse selection of door casings and exterior door frames offered by Plastpro. They complement any doorway, ensuring a seamless and visually appealing look for your main exterior entryway. We’ll also discuss installation techniques for door casings and provide valuable insight for both homeowners and construction professionals. 

 

What is Door Casing?

Are you familiar with trim or moulding? Then you’re familiar with door casing! All these terms refer to the same concept—door trim is door casing, and so is door moulding.

These terms are usually used interchangeably by professionals who work on homes because a door casing is essentially the trim or moulding found around a door frame. In the context of doors and windows, this feature is called casing because it creates a sort-of case around the door or window opening. Because of its use as a framing device for some of the home’s most noticeable focal points, door and window casing are usually some of the most decorative, eye-catching features of a home. It’s also usually identical, or at least closely matching or referential to other features found in casing throughout the home.

Functionally, casing on a door is used to cover up any gaps that exist between a wall and the doorframe after a frame is properly inserted, jambs are used and the frame is considered installed. For doors, most normal door casing kits consist of two long pieces that run vertically along the outside of the door, while a smaller third piece is meant to go above the door opening. This third piece is typically thin at the bottom and more pronounced at the top. This is done to create an aesthetically pleasing capstone that ties the threshold together. 

For interior doors, casing a door frame helps solidify the divide between rooms and improve the indoor design of your home. For exterior doors, casing is a practical necessity. Leaving gaps ruins privacy, temperature control, and protection from harsh weather and small fauna. Gaps also sully curb appeal with an unfinished look and can compromise the security potential of your front door. 

 

Types of Door Casings and Exterior Door Components

Well-chosen door casing types will often mirror the architectural style of a home, and there are quite a few widespread styles prevalent across the United States. As with most new elements you’d introduce to your home, it’s important to take note of your dwelling’s currently established style—you wouldn’t want to install door casing or door components that clash with other elements of your dwelling. 

If your home is constructed in the craftsman style, it’s inspired by a movement that started in opposition to the British Industrial Revolution. The craftsman movement emphasized handmade goods. In the early 1900s, a population boom put demands on the home market, and the craftsman style was slowly folded into the style options available for new homebuyers to choose from. 

This sort of aesthetic includes doors that are constructed with natural materials and may contain glass inserts or other accessories that didn’t look mass market. Casing for this style of home would take on a similarly made-by-hand look, with intricate details and malleable natural materials.

Rustic homes and craftsman homes share a similarly natural, lived-in look, but the rustic architectural discipline differs with its focus on locally-sourced materials and revived or repurposed décor. This style provides a lot of creative freedom—surround a big, impressive rustic door with a casing that contributes to the door’s impressive stature, or install subdued casing on a door with glass inserts that are meant to minimize the divide between your indoors and the outdoors.  

Modern homes are defined as such with every angular line and flat wall that makes up their exteriors. They exude a contemporary approach to habitation that is mostly free of flourishes—or any other feature deemed generally unnecessary. Like other parts of the home, modern-style door casing should be free of designs and made to appear smooth. Traditional style homes focus on function but in a different way—roofs are angled to protect the home from the elements instead of creating a specific look of form and windows are placed symmetrically around the house to distribute light as evenly as possible. Choose a casing that’s symmetrical while remaining practical.

If you’re looking for door casing or other exterior door components, Plastpro has great options that match any architectural style.

 

Materials for Door Casings

Just like any other aspect of your home, the casing around your door can be made from a variety of materials that each have its upsides. 

Hardwood casing can be made from a variety of different wood options and is great to use in areas that are exposed to moisture. Choose this kind of casing if you want to stain the wood, as it won’t streak. If you plan to paint the wood, you can go with paint-grade wood casing, which may be the most popular option for homeowners thanks to its low cost and its versatility. However, paint-grade wood casing shouldn’t be used in areas prone to moisture.

Casing made with multi-density fiberboard, usually abbreviated to MDF, will look a lot like paint-grade wood casing even though it’s made from sawdust and resin. Due to its composition, it can swell up when it gets wet, so don’t use it in places like the bathroom or kitchen. It does usually come ready to either paint or stain, though, making it a versatile option for locations it can be used. 

 

Styles and Profiles

Door casings usually come in two different styles that have as much to do with looks as they do with door casing installation.

Butted casing sees the two vertical pieces run along the door and stop at the top of the doorway. The third horizontal piece is sat atop the pieces of trim and is usually an ornate piece that matches the other two aspects of the frame but expands on them with protruding features that draw the eye upward. 

Mitered casings have interlocking sections cut into the end of them—this is also known as a mitered cut. Each of the three pieces will lock together, which usually creates a uniform look surrounding the door.

The casing profile is the shape created at the edge of the casing, and profiles range from the rounded and simple ranch profile to the stately and popular colonial profile. When you’re choosing your casing profile, make sure you follow the guidelines for matching your home’s architectural style.

 

Measuring and Installing Door Casings

To complete an installation, you’ll need a carpenter’s wood glue, finishing nails that measure 1 inch and 2 inches, an 18-gauge finish nailer, and a power miter saw. If you’re only applying casing to a couple of doorways, consider renting the latter two items, as they’re significantly more expensive than the nails and the glue.

Before framing the door, first, you need to determine placement. Measure about .25-inches from the inside of the door frame and mark that spot. Each mark should line up around the doorframe’s perimeter. This space is necessary for the door to continue operating properly.

If you’re using butted casing, put the top casing in line with the mark you made above the door and affix it with nails. Cut the tops of each side board so they sit snugly with the top casing piece and use nails to put them into place. This changes if you’re using rosettes, or decorative blocks that sit at the corner of each of the door’s angles and act as a sort of joining piece. Attach these rosettes first, then cut the top horizontal casing to fit against the rosettes. Lastly, do the same with the sides.

For mitered casing, hold the top horizontal piece up and put a mark on it where the .25-inch lines cross. There should be two marks on either side of the casing. Next, use the saw to cut a 45-degree angle at each marking. Now install this piece using 1-inch finish nails on the inside and 2-inch finish nails on the thicker outside. 

After this piece is in place, hold each side piece up and mark it at the point where the inside corner on the top casing and the inside of the vertical side casing meet. Now, cut another 45-degree angle so it’ll fit snugly with the top casing. Use the carpenter’s wood glue to attach the wooden pieces at the cut angles, then use nails to attach the side pieces to the wall.

 

Maintaining and Repairing Door Casings

So you’ve just installed your new casing—you may have even taken time to paint or stain it. Now, how can you make sure it stays looking new?

One of the most common protections is clear plastic guards installed along the outside edge of the casing. This protects one of the most vulnerable parts of the piece from chipping. You can also mitigate disaster by keeping furniture, shelving, and other potential hazards away from doorways with casing installed. To repair the casing, you could repaint or stain the casing again, sand it, or use body filler to try and fill in the gaps.

 

Plastpro’s Door Casing Options

There are a lot of different situations you can find yourself in when it comes to exterior door casing, but Plastpro’s door components have you covered. Whether you’d like to install a rounded header as part of your casing, accommodate a sidelite with a sidelite stopper, or grab some casing pieces for your next project and redo your door’s casing!

 

The Complete Fiberglass Door Solution from Plastpro

Door casings are essential parts of interior and exterior doors. They help with privacy, energy efficiency, and curb appeal, and Plastpro’s large range of options can assist with any door casing or frame issue. It’s a great resource for the DIY enthusiast homeowner completing their door project or the construction professional looking for a reliable option. Find a dealer today and begin a new redefining door project!

 

When your cache bogs down your browser or dust impacts the performance of your keyboard, you perform maintenance on each by cleaning them. Much like your computer—and many other important aspects of your everyday life, such as your vehicle—maintenance on your home is essential for it to remain in working order. 

The rooms and spaces you spend a significant amount of time in will naturally remain at the forefront of your mind when it comes to your mental checklist of home maintenance, but don’t forget about exterior and front door maintenance. 

Problems outside can have the same adverse impact on your quality of life that problems inside do, so remember to focus energy on your home’s exterior, too. When it comes to your exterior door, Plastpro’s fiberglass doors can help cut down on required maintenance thanks to their durability. The same holds true for Plastpro’s door accessories, which will also withstand the test of time alongside the door.

 

Why is Home Maintenance So Important?

Being proactive with an eye towards regular home maintenance is a better approach to home ownership than being reactive when problems arise. Routinely checking in with your living space could help you prolong the lifespan of crucial home components like windows, doors, floors, and more. These small fixes and tune-ups can successfully lower the cost of repairs or help you avoid unnecessary repairs completely. 

Sure, eventually things like doors will need replacing, but keeping these things in good condition can allow you to take projects on your own terms instead of spending valuable time, energy, and money on the latest surprise problem.

The overall safety and comfort of your home benefits from routine maintenance, too. Ensuring features like stairs, banisters, interior doors, electrical outlets, electronics, appliances, light fixtures, and fans are safe and functional is important for your indoor safety, while the condition of your windows, doors, siding, and roof are imperative for keeping what’s outdoors from intruding into your home. 

Keeping the outside and inside of a home up to date has a few desirable secondary effects as well: things you’ve serviced, repaired, and replaced will help preserve the value of the home by keeping it in new or like new condition, maintain a look of newness throughout the property, and introduce the latest industry standard technology and best practices into your home. All of these additional perks can do wonders for the quality of life enjoyed by you and your family.  

Home maintenance is so important because it can help mitigate the wear and tear that life puts on a home. Paying attention to your home’s needs and addressing them can go a long way towards keeping it like new. 

 

The Benefits of Proactive Home Maintenance

Even though the average person only lives in a house for approximately 8 years, that’s more than enough time for poor maintenance habits to cause some big problems.

As stated earlier, being reactive with your home repairs and routine checkups can cause more problems compared to taking a proactive approach and addressing potential issues before they become larger headaches. 

For example, routine cleaning of gutters can help avoid any clogs at inopportune times and regular door inspections can set a potential problem right before it takes hold, drastically impacting your ability to truly fix the issue. This same basic principle can be applied to almost any aspect of your home—regular visual inspections of home features, periodic cleaning of spots where clutter or backup can become a problem, and repairs to smaller issues that are caught before they balloon into emergencies can save you time and inconvenience while big projects are completed, save money on large-scale repairs, and save you stress in the long run. 

The stress that comes along with large home projects may be reason enough to stick with routine maintenance. The amount of money that goes into a large home project can induce stress if you and your family aren’t ready to make that kind of spend, while inconvenience and even possible displacement can impact your everyday life. Routine maintenance is so important for so many reasons, but your mental and financial health may be chief among them.

 

Tips and Tricks for Effective Home Maintenance

Regardless of whether you’re the first owner of a home, or you may take on a property as a fixer-upper later in its lifespan, the need for regular repair won’t be any less prevalent. Since this topic will always be relevant no matter which stage of homeownership you’re in, it may be handy to have a summary list of a few important places where DIY home maintenance is key.

 

Interiors

When you think of maintenance, you probably consider aspects on the outside of the home since they’re most susceptible to the elements. However, in addition to containing many of your creature comforts, much of the interior has a direct impact on how the outside world impacts your indoor living.

First, if you find that your home is colder than usual or your heating bill is rising, your insulation should be checked for end-of-life replacement. This isn’t an issue you’ll necessarily be able to fix with a DIY solution, but it could be the culprit if your energy bill is going up unexpectedly. Pipes, on the other hand, can give hints as to when they’re outstaying their welcome, so routinely check them to make sure they’re without leaks and they aren’t compromised. Air conditioners and heating systems should also have their filters regularly cleaned and, if necessary, replaced, while an HVAC tune-up session with a local professional can improve performance and increase equipment longevity. 

Check floors for cracks or sinking areas, check windows for seals that need replacing, check walls for any moisture, mold, discoloration or other signs of issues, and check that electrical outlets and appliances are able to safely plug in and are operating at maximum efficiency. 

 

Exteriors

From the ground up, regular check-ins with your home exterior will help you keep track of how it’s doing and what evolving issues may require your attention. 

Your home’s foundation is extremely important to its overall health—and the cost of repairing a faulty foundation reflects that—so stay on the lookout for signs that a problem is beginning to form. Wood foundations can rot if they’re taking on water damage or infested with termites. Termites may also leave behind piles of wood dust. Brick foundations will crack if they’re deteriorating. Cracks in concrete are a sign of water damage. A trained eye with special equipment may spot other issues that aren’t as readily apparent as these visual cues. If you suspect your home has a foundation issue, be sure to seek a professional.

You can extend the lifespan of your roof by cleaning gutters, replacing lost or damaged materials, and power washing the roof itself. You can also do a visual inspection to make sure roofing materials are intact and in place, or you can ask a contractor to inspect the roof for you. Siding is another material that can be given a quick visual inspection, with missing pieces requiring replacing and holes or cracks requiring a quick, cheap seal job. Routine looks at these parts of your home’s exterior can extend their lifespans and push back purchases that add up to thousands. 

 

Extreme Weather

If you live in a part of the world where extreme weather events can impact your home, it’s best to invest in materials made to withstand the specific kind of weather your home will be subjected to, including weatherproofing your door. It’s also important to conduct visual inspections—and possibly bring a professional to your home—after the weather dissipates. 

 

Maintaining Your Home’s Exterior Doors

Periodically, you should make sure each of your exterior doors open and close without issue, shut flush with your door frame, and don’t allow any air to leak in from outside. Next, inspect the door and look for signs of heavy wear, such as chipping, denting, cracking, or rotting. If repairs can be made, you can save your door from further degradation. Applying coating or paint can also help expand the lifespan of exterior doors. However, all doors will eventually meet the end of their usefulness and require replacement.

 

Increasing Home Resale Value Through Maintenance

Replacing those doors and keeping them looking like new is a big way to maintain or add to your home’s value. Other ways include making sure important home components like your foundation, interior and exterior walls, roof, and floors are sound and don’t have small problems that turn into big issues.

Maintenance won’t just improve your home’s cosmetic appeal, structural integrity, or overall safety. Routine care can also improve the building’s energy efficiency, an extremely important factor for prospective new homeowners that’ll help them save on energy bills and reduce their impact on the environment. Look at your appliances with an eye towards energy efficiency, too.   

 

Enhance Your Home with Plastpro

With their high energy efficiency ratings and improved durability over other types of exterior doors, fiberglass doors are a great way to add value to your home, improve the cost-effectiveness of your front door, and implement a chance that’ll have you spending less time and money on routine front door maintenance. Find a Plastpro dealer today to explore your options for fiberglass front doors.

 

Is there a project you’d like to complete but, for some reason, you just haven’t got around to it? Maybe it seems too complicated and you aren’t sure where to begin, or you’re worried how the finished product may look if something goes wrong. Thanks to its usual role as the main entryway into and out of the home, replacing a front door may initially feel like one of those intimidating, high-pressure situations, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and proper preparation, you can install a front door yourself.

This article will help provide tips and tricks to homeowners who want to install their own front doors. Read on for useful information meant to assist you with DIY door installation!

 

Benefits of DIY Door Installation

Committing to a DIY front door project may not be everyone’s first choice when it comes time for a new exterior door, but it may be easier than you think to replace a door yourself—and the benefits can reach farther than just your doorstep. 

First and foremost, the monetary benefits of a DIY door installation can have a huge impact on the budget of your front door replacement project. It isn’t uncommon for the enlistment of a door installation professional to increase the cost of a project to double the price of a door itself—if not more. 

Installing a door yourself can cut costs considerably, especially since most of the materials and tools needed for the job will either come with the door or are items you probably have at your home already. However, you may want to budget in dinner for your project buddy—while it’s possible to install an entry door by yourself, they’re often large and unwieldy. You’ll be steadying and aligning the door quite a bit as you fit the door into place and secure it, so it’ll help immensely to have a second set of hands on the job. 

While completing a job like this one with your project partner can be a great bonding exercise, it can do even more for your own sense of self. Every day when you come home and see your front door, you’ll be proud to know it’s your handiwork that added this brand-new entryway to your home.

Finishing a project that’s so visible to family members, visitors and passersby can instill a sense of confidence that you’ll carry into other jobs around the house. Don’t underestimate the importance of trusting that you’ll make the right decisions for your home. It’s an important part of being a homeowner, along with trusting your hands and your tools to make those decisions happen in reality.

Lastly, while it may not seem like it, doing the job yourself will save you time because it can be done at your own convenience. Be sure to schedule a day with adequate weather and limited foot traffic in your front door area. Also, be sure you have a place for pets to stay while the DIY door installation is completed.

 

Choosing the Right Door

Before you install your home’s new front door, you’ll need to match the needs you’re looking to address with the right exterior door for you. To start, you shouldn’t have reached this point in the door replacement process without first deciding that you do indeed want to replace the door in lieu of repairing it. You’ll want to heavily consider a replacement if your door is warping, cracked, chipped or has other visible signs of wear or integrity issues. You may also consider a replacement if you want to switch to a different front door material, like fiberglass, in order to improve your home’s energy efficiency or overall safety. 

After you’ve decided to replace instead of repair, your next step should be choosing a door that perfectly matches your needs and your home. If you don’t have the usual door opening size of 36 in. by 80 in., you may need to special order a door that’ll fit your opening—if it’s smaller, you’ll be able to widen your exterior door frame with another DIY project. 

After you’re sure on size, address your other wants and needs. Will you go with a different material? Will you play it safe and stick to your entryway’s current aesthetic, or will you take on a front porch revival inspired by the opportunity presented by a new exterior door? Beyond the appearance of your front entryway is the overall architectural style of your home. 

Will you stick to a choice informed by your ranch style, craftsman style, modern, or other type of home, or will you buck trends and go with whatever makes you happy?

After you’ve made your choices, consider other features of the door and entryway. Doorlites are portions of glass inserted into the door that allow natural light into a home and provide those inside with larger sightlines of the outside world. Doorlites work well with almost any style of door, as each doorlite features embellishes that match it to a certain architectural style. Accessories like hinge straps, clavos and speakeasies usually only work on traditional or rustic doors, but if that’s the style you’ve decided on, you may want to consider what they’ll add to your presentation and curb appeal. 

 

Pre-hung vs. Slab Doors

When you’re shopping for your new exterior door, there’s one decision that’ll greatly impact the ease of your DIY front door installation project: will you use a pre-hung door or opt for a slab door?

As the name implies, a pre-hung door is already affixed to its frame, making it easy to slot the door into your home’s raw door opening. A slab door arrives separate from a frame, meaning there will be extra steps, measurements, and room for error during the slab door installation process. While we spoke of the pride that comes with installing your own front door, that doesn’t mean you can’t make every effort to make sure the job is done right the first time.

Plastpro’s fiberglass doors come pre-hung, making them a great ready-to-use option for your DIY prehung exterior door installation.   

 

Preparing for Installation

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve already done a good bit of prep work for this DIY door replacement, and that’ll ensure you’re ready to tackle this important home improvement project. Once you’re finally ready to begin work and prep the door opening for the new door, you’ll want to prepare the exterior door opening.

Measure the frame and make sure it’s approximately 2 in. to 2-and-a-half in. larger than the jamb that comes on the pre-hung door. You’ll also want to level off the opening to make sure your door is hung evenly. Finally, use a square to be sure each corner is angled correctly. 

If a wall is more than one-eighth in. off, you’ll need to shim the door instead of the opening so it fits properly. If the inside itself is off, you may be able to pound it in a bit. If that doesn’t work, remove the trim, bring the drywall back with a reciprocating saw and reattach the inside. If this issue is present at the top of the opening, it may not be fixable and you may need to reframe the entire opening or order another door. 

 

Installation Techniques for Pre-hung Doors

Pre-hung doors are easier to install than a slab door, but they still take some knowledge of the process to be successfully put into place.

Once you’ve made sure your opening is even, find the measurements for the door’s hinges and mark each hinge on the hinge-side trim. Use a plumb bob to run a string parallel with the hinge-side wall and put shims where the gap between the wall and the string is smallest. Do this at each hinge location. Make sure each is 1/8 in. thick and nail them to the wall. Cut them off so they’re flush with the opening and don’t protrude past it. 

Line the door up and fit it into the opening. Push it tight against the shim and adjust it until it’s straight. Put nails at each hinge location. Use 8d finish nails. If the door isn’t resting evenly, shim at the hinge locations until it is. Adjust the space between the top of the door and the top so it’s around 1/8 in. wide. Use 8d finish nails every 16 inches on the latch side to keep the door in this location. 

Now, slip two shims near the top of the door opening on the latch side and nail them in. Then, add shims above the base, above the strike plate and below the strike plate. This will keep the jamb straight. Replace the center screw on each hinge with one that can go into the inside wall.

For more tips, check out Plastpro’s how-to guide for installing a pre-hung door.

 

Finishing Touches and Maintenance

After the door is mounted, add the split jamb by inserting it into the groove on the main jamb. You can tap them together with your hands. Finally, go around and nail the frame to the wall by inserting a nail about once every 18 inches and install the door latch.

You can then add trim if it’s a trimmable door and turn your attention towards extending the life of your new door with recommended maintenance. 

 

DIY Front Door Installation with Support from Plastpro

Completing a DIY pre-hung exterior door installation isn’t the easiest home improvement project to undertake, but choosing to go pre-hung—and picking a company that provides easy how-to guides like Plastpro—can mean the difference between success and hiring an installation professional. Find a Plastpro dealer and start your door replacement project the right way!

No matter how old a home is, what sort of architectural style it embodies or where in the world that home happens to be, odds are good that a wooden surface can be found somewhere inside that space. Whether it’s the living room, bathroom, kitchen or a front entry door, wood is a useful material that can be utilized in any of those spaces for a variety of purposes. However, that usefulness comes at a cost that makes itself known over time.

Maybe all that use led to wear on the wood around your home, or maybe seeing that same wood every single day began to wear on you. Whatever the case, applying wood staining can help solve both problems by giving your wooden surfaces a fresh, new look that can help extend its lifespan with added protection against hazards. 

 

What Is Wood Stain?

The products available for purchase labeled as wood stain are substances proven to both change the color of and supply an extra protective layer to the wood in your home. When planning a wood stain project, keep in mind that there are different types of wood stains. These products are going to come in the form of either a gel or a liquid and will include two main elements.

The first is a solvent—either alcohol, polyurethane, oil or water—that holds an ingredient or set of ingredients meant to color the wood and delivers that coloring into the wood when it’s applied. The second is the ingredients that do the coloring, which are either suspended, dissolved or mixed into the aforementioned solvent. These two main elements decide the look and level of protection a stain will supply when applied.

 

Different Types of Wood Stain

In the world of wood stains, there are at least seven different types of commercially available options for homeowners to choose from. If you thought you’d be limited to three or four options when selecting your stain of choice, you’re in luck—each one offers a different sort of experience for a do-it-yourself wood stain project and each will provide a different sort of result, with its own advantages and disadvantages.  

 

1. Oil-Based Wood Stain

If you have a picture in your head of how the staining process will play out and what your result will look like, odds are those preconceived notions are based on knowledge garnered about oil stains. They’re one of the most well-known and widely available stain types for a reason—oil stains contain a binder made from linseed oil, which dries slowly and allows ample time for even a novice to clear unnecessary stain from the surface before it’s too late. 

Oil stains require paint thinner for thinning and cleaning. Sometimes referred to as petroleum distillate, aliphatic hydrocarbon or mineral spirits on packaging, paint thinner can emit strong fumes, is flammable and isn’t easy to dispose of. If you’re using an oil stain, be sure to do your work in a well-ventilated area away from open flame, preferably away from any living space.

Choosing an oil stain by coloring agent mostly comes down to personal preference, as it can be used in any situation where you don’t require the added benefits other stains carry with them. However, don’t choose an oil stain if you plan to cover it in a finish that has a water base or can’t allow the stained wood to dry overnight in a warm place.

 

2. Water-Based Wood Stain

Water-based stains are a lot friendlier to your senses than a stain that requires paint thinner. They’re less of an assault on your sense while you apply the stain, they’re an easier cleaning job than other stains and they contribute less pollution. 

The flipside is the difficulty that applying water-based stains presents to a homeowner. These stains will raise the grain when they’re applied to wood, then dry quickly. 

This leaves little time for sanding raised grains—and when you do sand them, there’s the danger of sanding through the color you just applied to the wood. You can mitigate this by sanding raised grains before staining the wood. Apply water with a cloth, let it dry in a warm room and sand.

If you’re going to use a water-based finish on wood, you’ll want to start with a water-based stain as the base layer for your project. Putting these two water-based substances together is the best-case scenario over pairing a water-based finish with something like varnish or oil stains—unless you give those stains ample time to completely dry into the wood. 

 

3. Gel-Based Wood Stain

Are you staining pine? Then you’ll want your stain to be gel-based.

Wood stains tend to blotch when used on pine, a problem that some suggest can be remedied by utilizing washcoat or wood conditioner before applying any staining to pine. However, applying a gel-based stain allows you to skip that preparatory step and head right to the staining portion of the project. 

This type of stain is good with other woods that are prone to blotching, too, but it’s rather thick and therefore can be messy to work with. Gel stains require thinner for their cleanup, too.

 

4. Lacquer-Based Wood Stain

If your staining product lists ketones and xylene on its packaging, it’s most likely a lacquer-based stain. These can be added to lacquer to alter colors between coats of lacquer finish and they dry quickly—usually in 15 minutes. This ability to better control color while quickly completing a job has made lacquer stains popular among professionals, but this means it can also be difficult to use. If you’re going to take advantage of its ability to work with lacquer finishing, strongly consider working with a partner.

 

5. Varnish Wood Stain

Varnish stains are very similar to their oil-based counterparts, right down to the need for thinner at the end of the process. However, varnishes dry hard, so they can be left alone to dry and can give a similar look and feel as a finish. 

Varnish is great for covering a surface that’s damaged but is already covered in stain and finish. This versatility comes with a price, though: varnish stains give you less time to take care of excess staining, and that leftover varnish can make large brush strokes stand out.

 

6. Water-Soluble Dye Stain

This stands out from the rest of the list because it’s available commercially as a powder that dissolves when added to water. The amount you dissolve will determine the shade of the stain’s color, and this rather simple method of color choice makes this stain popular with less experienced woodworkers.

This stain can be changed after it’s applied to wood because it lacks a binding agent, and it can go as dark as you’d like without completely obscuring the character of the underlying wood. Keep in mind, though, that this type of stain is sensitive to ultraviolet light. 

 

7. Metalized Dye Stain

Invented in direct response to water-soluble dye stain’s UV light sensitivity, metalized dye stains are more resistant to rays from fluorescent lights and the Sun. It dries faster than many other stains and can be applied by spraying it onto wood. It can sometimes be thinned with water, but that makes it susceptible to the grain raising problem that water can introduce to a project.

 

How to Apply Wood Stain to Your Home

These types of staining can be used in your living spaces to save or preserve your favorite wooden furniture and features. It can also help transform a space by introducing new colors without replacing existing wood. 

 

Prep Wood for Staining

Use a nylon or natural bristle brush to brush away dust from the wood. Then sand the wood until it’s smooth. If the wood is rough, it’ll become darker. After sanding, wipe the wood clean again.

 

Apply Wood Stain

Once it’s clean, the wood is ready for its stain. This step is largely depending on the type of stain you’ve chosen for the job. You’ve already read about how different each stain is as far as the process and eventual product, so be sure to study any included instructions carefully and use recommended tools and methods.

After you’re finished applying the stain, follow drying instructions.

 

Other Wood Staining Tips

In addition to following manufacturer’s instructions for the different types of staining, keep in mind some best practices for applying staining to wood. Staining materials involve chemicals, so try to do work away from lived in areas and practice proper safety by wearing nitrile gloves (don’t use latex). Also wear safety glasses.

Finally, be sure to dry all used materials before storing or throwing away. 

 

Refresh Your Home with Plastpro

The different types of stains have their own pros and cons, and each has its own advantages and difficulties while applying them. Staining a fiberglass door is a similar experience and can replicate that real wood look.

Plastpro’s staining kits come with everything necessary to complete the job, and their staining guides provide valuable direction for achieving different results during staining jobs. Consider the different types of wood stains, then choose a fiberglass door stain color to match your desired look and transform one of your most oft-seen surfaces.

 

When it comes to home security, a reliable lock may be the single most important thing on your home’s list of protections and deterrents. A lock that performs well will prevent easy access to your home, causing any would-be intruders to consider routes that make noise or bring attention to their activities—this can be enough to completely discourage a burglary altogether. On the less harrowing side of things, a good lock will provide a sense of security for you and your family, helping you rest easy knowing your home and everything important inside is safe and secure.

You may also want to change the lock on an exterior door for a reason that doesn’t have to do with security. Maybe you prefer the use or look of one lock type over another. Maybe you’d like to enhance the curb appeal of your door by swapping locks and adding an ornate aesthetic to your home’s protection. 

Whatever the motivation for your lock replacement, questions arise once you finally decide—or are forced to—begin the process. How much will this project cost? Can you change a door lock without professional help? If you can, is it too hard for the average homeowner to accomplish? Luckily, the answers to most of your questions will be favorable to the average homeowner. 

 

Can You Change Your Front Door Lock Yourself?

Depending on your experience and skill level, you can complete a wide array of tasks around your home without the need to enlist help from someone who completes repairs and installations on a professional basis. When it comes to at-home DIY projects, though, most homeowners should be able to choose, purchase and install lock-on-door protection for the main exterior entrance of their home without the whole process becoming headache inducing. 

Today, most locks will come with a set of instructions that allow you to complete the job in 1-to-2 hours, and most lock replacements can be completed with tools and materials homeowners are likely to already have around their home. For those locks that come lacking instructions, the advent of widespread internet access has made an ever-growing collection of resources available to any homeowner who wants to know how to change a door lock. In the case of a lock installation, the cost of professional help can be double the price of a lock—that means it could triple the price tag of the project itself.

 

Types of Door Locks

When you’re choosing the kind of lock that’ll protect your home, it’s best to weigh each available option before making a final decision. There’s a large selection of locks that act as affordable choices that’ll usually equip your front door with industry standard protection. There are other options that are more complicated and more expensive, but those are usually used to secure assets found on commercial properties. For the purposes of most people’s homes, one of the below locks is a perfect fit.

 

Deadbolt Locks

Considered a high security option for your home, deadbolts are rated on a system that shows the level of force each can withstand. This lock option doesn’t include springs as part of its construction, making it a simple lock that can be operated from the interior with a turning button or from the exterior with a key.

 

Cylinder Locks

This is one of the most common types of locks used to secure the exterior door of a structure. It can be operated with either a level or a knob. It locks from the inside with a push button and secures or opens from the outside with a key. However, despite its popularity—or maybe because of it—intruders have developed a few methods for disarming the cylinder lock. Because of this, a deadbolt lock is often used in tandem with cylinder locks to secure a building. 

 

Multipoint Locks

Have you ever been to a bank that had its large vault door open? Did you notice how the door has multiple metal rods sticking out of each side? A multipoint lock secures your exterior door in a similar way, with locking points usually located at the bottom, middle or top of a door. This differs from the usual door lock, which secures from the middle of a door.

 Those extra locking points make it harder for a door to be opened by force. This is particularly useful if a door is large, as the further a door gets away from its lock, the weaker its resistance to forceful entry. As an added bonus, those extra locking points add stabilization and help prevent warping at the further ends of a door.

 

Smart Locks

This choice is less mechanical than technological, but it can simplify home entry while allowing for a door’s locking mechanism to be better protected from tampering. 
Smart locks open with a code that’s only available to those you share it with and most can be controlled with a smartphone app that allows you to lock it, change the code or more from anywhere in the world. 

 

Installing or Changing an Exterior Door Lock

Once you’ve decided to replace your front door’s lock and you’ve picked a brand or type of lock, it’s time to visit a store or order the lock online. You’ll find that a lot of locks tout security ratings and other tangible or intangible features in their product descriptions, but you’ll also find that prices tend to remain similar despite these advertised features. The most important thing is to choose a lock that you’re happy with—and that falls within your predetermined budget.

 

Door Prep

Open the door to a comfortable position and tape two pieces of wood—usually referred to as shims when used in this manner—between the floor and the bottom of the door. This will help it stay steady despite being swung open. 

Next, mark the spot where you want your new knob to be placed on the edge of the door. Use a square to extend this mark across the front of a door. Usually, about 3 inches of extension will do the trick.

 

Drill a Face Bore and Edge Bore

Hopefully, your lock came with a template that’ll allow you to center your mark in a circle. This circle is the face bore that’ll be drilled into the door. Use the guide to create and drill your face bore using a hole saw’s pilot bit. Next, use a 7/8 spade bit at medium speed to create an edge bore.

 

Installing a Latch and Knob

Place the latch assembly through your newly cut edge and outland the plate’s rectangular shape onto the door. Remove the assembly and chisel a space in the door for the plate. Be sure to only chisel as deep as the plate’s thickness. Insert the assembly again, mark the location of its screws, take it back out and drill pilot holes. Reinsert the place and affix it. 

Take the outside knob through the face bore and latch, then fit the inside knob over the outside knob’s spindle. Thread screws by hand, then tighten with a screwdriver.

 

Installing the Strike Plate

Close the door and mark at the latch’s midpoint. Use a square to extend this mark across to the frame. Open the door and extend it into the inside of the frame. Use the same chisel technique above to create a space for the door to lock and install the strike plate over that space. The strike plate should be large enough to accommodate the lock it came with.

 

Improving Your Home Security

Door locks are a great way to help keep your home secure, but they’re one of many different options that’ll help improve your front door’s overall level of protection.

 A door that swings out rather than in will be more difficult for people on the outside of a home to open using force. To benefit from this door configuration, make sure you use non-removable pins on your hinges since they’ll be accessible from the outside of your home. Speaking of door hardware, using longer hinge screws will provide your door with more support. Go with screws that are at least 2.5 inches long.

If your door has glass features, they can be much easier to damage, allowing for access to your home. Impact glass is expensive, but security film is another option that effectively turns your existing glass into impact glass. If stronger glass doesn’t frustrate an intruder into abandoning a crime in progress, it’ll still provide more precious time for responders to arrive at the scene. 

When it comes to technology, smart home products can help instantaneously identify the presence of possible intruders and alert you or the authorities of the incident. These products can also take a recording of the moments in question, which helps explain what’s going on around your front door. 

Lastly, pay attention to a door’s impact ratings, as these will help you select doors that can withstand attempts at forceful entry. Wind Borne Debris (WBD) Resistant rated doors can hold up to encounters with objects sent flying because of high winds. Fiberglass doors are a great option for impact resistance, as they’re multi-layer products that won’t rust or dent like metal and feature more layered protection than most wooden doors.

 

Protect Your Home with Plastpro

Most of Plastpro’s fiberglass doors are rated WBD Windload Resistant—some are even rated to withstand debris sent flying by hurricane winds. This, coupled with the aforementioned impact resistance, multi-layer construction and resistance to cracking make fiberglass an amazing option for home protection. Additionally, fiberglass doors are more energy efficient than their wood or metal counterparts, helping you save on energy bills!

Find a Plastpro dealer to learn more about the security benefits of fiberglass doors, as well as the large selection of customization options available.

Ideally, a front door will last as long as the home it’s part of, acting as a welcoming sight to family members and visitors—as well as a reliable source of protection from the people, sounds and weather conditions of the outside world. Things don’t always go according to plan, though, and sometimes a door that’s meant for a long tenure is considered for early retirement due to a number of different factors that could render it unable to perform its duties. In some cases, those factors lead to removal of the worn-down door and installation of a new one, while in other situations, a door can be saved by repairs.

The choice between door repair or replacement presents two drastically different decisions that can vary greatly when it comes to cost, time investment and overall longevity. That’s why it’s important to consider your options before beginning work on a door repair or replacement project.

 

Factors to Consider When Repairing or Replacing a Door

A sure sign of a door’s need for repair is its appearance. A dented, peeling or warping door isn’t just a cosmetic eyesore, it’s also a door showing outward signs of damage that’s easy to spot without much effort. There may also be issues that take a bit more scrutiny to uncover, such as damage to a door frame that isn’t necessarily visible from the front.  

The material a door is made of can also impact the choice between door replacement or repair. Wooden door repair is usually an easier bit of DIY home improvement that can be completed without the help of a professional. Common repairs on a wooden door include filling scratches, cracks or small punctures created where a door made of steel would otherwise dent.

Speaking of steel, that dent won’t be as easy to fix if it happens in a steel door—it may not be possible for you or a professional to fix it at all. In that case, drastic damages will require a full door replacement.

No matter the door material, a chill emanating from your door probably means the weatherstripping needs to be replaced. Sometimes, old weatherstripping can become stiff and crack over time, but it can usually be replaced for less than the cost of a meal. Weatherstripping the bottom of a door may mean replacing the door’s jamb and installing a door sweep, which usually just means adhering a sweep to the bottom of the door. However, if the door is too warped or damaged to properly hang in its frame, that means your home is susceptible to the cold and other invaders. In this case, that door needs replacement.

Budget should be taken into account, too. Usually, the repair of an already existing door is a lot cheaper than the outright replacement of that door, but sometimes, damages are so great that repairs are out of the question and a door must be replaced in order for a home to remain secure. Be sure to list every single part of a repair or replacement project so no costs surprise you—every board, every nail and every hour of paid help, if necessary.

If a door is beyond repair, the budget for the project will need to be structured to allow for the outright purchase of a new exterior door.

 

Common Door Repair Solutions

If you like your door, you probably want to do everything you can to keep it—or, if you don’t like the possible price tag of replacing an old door, you’re probably doing everything you can to avoid it. Luckily, there are a number of solutions to the situations doors may find themselves in, and those repairs can be completed either on your own or with help from another.

 

Fixing a Sagging Door

A sagging door isn’t a door that’s doing its job, so repairs are in order.

Before moving on to the more complex steps of this project, first try to tighten any hinges that may have loosened up during the door’s years of use. For this first attempt at repair, you’ll only need a screwdriver. 

Take your screwdriver—not a drill, as you run the risk of stripping your hinge’s screws—and tighten each of the screws on the door’s top hinge first. Work your way down to the bottom hinge, tightening any loose screws along the way. During this process, if you hear hinge pins rattle or feel them move, the hinge is most likely loose and must be replaced. If the other door hinges are in working condition, you’ll probably only need to replace the worn hinge to solve this issue.

Screws may also need replacing if they rotate endlessly instead of tightening snugly. Only replace the problem screws and measure your screw to check on length. If it’s 1-inch, replace it with a 1.5-inch screw.

Hinge spacers can also be the target of a sagging door. These spacers are used during installation to adjust and align the door, but if they shift or become damaged, they’ll need to be removed and replaced.

If these fixes fail to actually fix your sagging door, the issue may be an excess of stain or paint on the door itself. During its lifecycle, an older door may have already been the recipient of numerous coats. It’ll be laborious, but if there’s evidence those old layers are present, remove the door then remove each layer of door treatment. Screw the door back into its hinges and test it. Hinges may have bent due to the door’s weight and may need to be replaced. To avoid this issue, always remove old door treatments before applying new ones.

 

Fixing a Misaligned Door

Door Misalignment can be caused by a number of issues, including unexpected movement from hinges, wear, and warp. First, identify the problem. Then, apply possible solutions.

There’s a quick method of misalignment identification called the lipstick test, which allows you to find both the location and severity of the issue. Open the door in question and mark the edge of the deadbolt with lipstick. Next, turn the doorknob until the latch retracts, close the door and release when the latch barely touches the strike plate. If the lipstick makes a mark that doesn’t properly line up, its location in relation to the door may identify the issue.

If the mark is too high for the latch to be properly aligned, grab a screwdriver and tighten the door’s bottom hinges. Once again, don’t use a drill as you run the risk of stripping your hinge screws

If the mark landed more than one-eighth inch either above or below the hole in the strike plate, that plate itself may be causing a door misalignment because it’s either damaged or was improperly installed. Use a screwdriver to check the state of the plate’s screws. If they feel loose, tighten them and try the door again. If they’re already tight, you may need to attempt a slight plate adjustment.

Loosen the plate’s screws and insert the screwdriver into the plate’s hole. Using a hammer, tap the top of the screwdriver and maneuver the strike plate so it settles back into alignment. Perform this with caution. You’ll know it worked if the space between the door and its frame is evenly spaced. If the plate needs to move more than a little, you’ll need to remove the plate, create new screw holes—if old holes conflict, fill them with wood dowels—and move the plate.

As a last resort option, you may need to remove the door from its hinges, assess hinge placement and condition, then reattach the door.

Keep in mind that there are several other common door repairs that can be done without the help of a professional, including replacing a door slab or installing door planking. It all depends on your level of comfort with home repair. However, if you’re ever unsure about door repair or replacement, it can never hurt to consult a professional. 

 

When to Replace a Door

A door that’s reached the end of its lifespan will most likely display outward signs of damage or loss of integrity. These include bowing or warping due to rain or humidity, difficulty opening and closing due to frame or door damage, and large holes or cracks.

When this occurs, consider a fiberglass replacement door that features a long lifespan, has high impact damage resistance, stands up to severe weather and makes your home more energy efficient. Plastpro’s fiberglass doors do all that while sporting a large array of customizable features that offer a number of different sizes and fit a lot of architectural styles.

 

Upgrading Your Door with Plastpro

Repair is certainly an appealing option when things start to go wrong with your exterior door, and that should be the first thing you try. However, if the door is older or the issue is severe, each repair project will have diminishing returns.

Plastpro’s fiberglass doors sport all the aforementioned features, plus their sturdy design and enhanced durability mean they’re low maintenance doors that can save you from years of door-related home improvement projects. Additionally, if you’re already planning to replace a door, Plastpro’s fiberglass doors are priced competitively. Find a Plastpro dealer to explore door replacement options.

 

Your home is meant to be a bastion of safety and privacy, both keeping you secure on the inside and keeping the rest of the world at a safe distance on the outside—except those parts of the world you choose to let in. 

If a home is serving these important needs but it has an exterior door that’s less than soundproof, it can feel like there are prying ears eavesdropping on your private moments or unwanted visitors in the form of loud noises invading from beyond your front door. 

If alarming sounds or privacy concerns are impacting your ability to unwind and relax in your own home, odds are a door is one of your home’s least effective barriers between you and the rest of the world. 

Yes, a door is meant to be the entryway through which a home is entered, but when shut, it’s also trusted to provide the same sort of security a solid wall lends to a home. If that security seems compromised by sound, there are ways you can take action against this unwanted breach.

 

Can You Soundproof an Existing Door?

If you’ve decided to do something about an overabundance of noise or lack of privacy, you may be wondering if you can improve your existing entryway’s ability to soundproof your home or if doing so will require an outright replacement of the offending exterior door. 

Luckily, there are a number of ways to create a DIY soundproof door without investing in a full front door home improvement project. While most methods involve some form of door reinforcement, to soundproof a door may not always mean you need to alter the door itself.

 

Soundproofing a Door: DIY Solutions

Soundwaves are a form of energy that travels through whatever obstacles are in its way—whether that’s wood, glass, water or the air itself—on the journey to your ears. It does so through the vibrations of particles, but the higher a particle’s density, the harder it is for sound to move through it. 

This is why it’s hard to hear someone standing on the other side of a wall, which is made up of the interior and exterior exposed material, along with any insulation or other construction contained within.

Doors need to open to be functional, so they don’t benefit from the same sort of multi-layer sound protection as the rest of a room’s solid, stationary set of walls. However, there are ways to enhance a door’s ability to keep unwanted aural visitors from seeing themselves into your space.

 

Sealing Gaps

This is the first option on the list because it’s the best way to answer the question, “What is the cheapest way to soundproof a door?” 

You may already have this soundproofing method started on your exterior door and not even know it. Most doors that lead to the outside have some sort of protection against the outside elements built into place, usually as part of the frame. 

If you can see light or feel air coming through your door, it’s time to seal the gaps. In addition to helping solve your soundproofing issues, gap sealing can help keep insects out of a home and assist with high energy costs.

The easiest way to complete this project is to purchase weather stripping tape from any retail hardware store. It’s that tape with the thick rubber on the ends, and it’s extremely easy to both install or remove without causing any damage to a door or its frame.

The door and its frame are just one point of contact that could potentially create gaps between your home and the rest of the world. The frame is also affixed to the wall, and if it’s less than snug, this is yet another avenue for sound to enter unobstructed. Create a particle-sized traffic jam by filling those gaps frame-to-wall with acoustic caulking, another cheap and easy way for you to do some DIY soundproofing. 

In this scenario, using acoustic caulking is important—the word acoustic means having to do with sound, so this caulk is specifically designed to take care of issues with noises coming in or going out. To apply this caulk, you’ll also need to pick up a caulk gun if you don’t have one at home.

 

Apply a Door Sweep

During the winter, did your parents or grandparents place a towel or blanket at the bottom of a door to keep out the cold? They were creating their own DIY door sweep, something you can use to keep sound from traveling through the gap between a door and the floor! 

Using something as thin as a towel won’t do much, but it’s possible to make your own door stop with a little bit of foam, some fabric and a sewing machine. If you’d prefer the look of a manufactured product—and, honestly, the superior protection one would offer—there’s a whole market of options waiting to come between you and your door.

The easiest option here is also the most effective. Silicone door sweeps can provide multi-layer protection with products that adhere to doors, reliably remain in place and usually come close to matching the existing color of a door. These can be just as easy to remove as they are to install, making them an ideal option for renters or homeowners who may not want their door sweeps to be permanent fixtures. This option is cheap, too.

The bottom of a door can’t be caulked or weather stripped like the top and sides, but a door sweep allows for similar protection from sound leakage. It’ll also provide similar protection from the cold and unwanted invaders, like mice.

 

Sound Absorbing Items in Your Home

What household items can you use to soundproof a door? Well, you may be covered in one of them right now. 

Hanging a large, heavy blanket or quilt on a door can help add multiple layers to the door’s sound-stopping potential. Hang the quilt with nails or hooks that come with adhesive like the kind you’d use to hang photo frames. 

You could also use furniture to block some sound from any unused doors, purchase a soundproof blanket or hang soundproof curtains. Sometimes, the answer to, “how do I stop sound from coming through my door,” might be the same method as how to keep out sound and light. 

 

Factors that Affect Soundproofing

From gaps around a door to the extra density that can be added in an effort to introduce more particles between you and the outdoors, soundproofing is an exercise towards one goal: keeping you and your family safe from the dangers and distractions of sound leakage or pollution. The factors that go into achieving this goal contribute to two measuring systems called the Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class and Sound Transmission Class, ways of rating doors for their ability to soundproof a space. 

While the STC measures a door’s ability to block sounds in the frequency range of common household distractions like music, televisions, spoken word and pet sounds, the OITC covers a wider frequency range. Notably, the OITC’s range goes low enough to include roadway noise. 

There are also factors that may impact soundproofing but not necessarily change a door’s STC or OITC rating, like the placement of a door in relation to the most prominent sources of noise. Other factors also include the quality of a door’s installation, the inclusion of glass in a door’s construction, the use of side lights, and the material used to seal a door.

 

Best Soundproof Entry Door Materials

Sometimes, doors need a little help when they’re working to keep your home a quaint, quiet place. One DIY method not described above involves using foam to create a core in an existing door. Even though this method can be extremely helpful, it’s also risky as it requires you to cut open a door, fill it with foam then seal the door back up. Even if it is successfully completed, the odds of stylizing the door to look the same as it did before it was cut into are low.

With Plastpro’s fiberglass doors, this method of soundproofing isn’t necessary, as they already come with a pre-installed polyurethane foam core. Even if they don’t come with foam, fiberglass doors are a great soundproofing option thanks to the layering method used to craft a door from fiberglass. Metal has similar soundproofing power thanks to layering, but the foam core and improved durability help push fiberglass over the finish line first. Some woods have great inherent density, but the proofing added with foam and layering is superior.

 

Soundproofing Your Door with Plastpro

The Polyurethane foam core is an important distinction to make in a Plastpro product, because it provides better sound protection than a polystyrene foam core. With the superior soundproofing foam in place and layers of fiberglass surrounding it, Plastpro’s doors provide a trustworthy barrier against sound coming in or going out. The doors are also customizable and match with a variety of architectural and design styles.

You can use our test results and search tool to easily see for yourself the STC and OITC rating of any given Plastpro product. Sort by series type, model, height and glass type to explore the range of soundproofing options available to you. 

Find a Plastpro dealer to begin your soundproofing project today!

 

For homeowners looking to change up an entryway, widening a doorway is an instantly impactful project that can completely change a home’s outward appearance. Elongating an existing opening allows for larger statement-making doors to be used as exterior doors, enhancing both the design elements and curb appeal of an exterior entrance.

A wider frame isn’t just for show, though. Creating that larger opening can increase a home’s accessibility and allow more natural light to enter a home. There are a number of positives that come from widening an existing opening, and it’s the sort of change a homeowner can make themselves.

 

Required Tools and Materials to Widen an Exterior Door

The basic answer to the question of how to widen an exterior door frame is simple: it’s done with the right tools and building materials.

On the tools front, have the following handy: a utility knife, a drywall knife, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, a framing nailer, a sander, a hammer, a sledge hammer, a pry bar, a tape measure, a drill, and a level.

Required materials include lumber in 2-by-4 and 2-by-6, half-inch plywood, wood glue, shims, painting supplies, drywall, and a box of nails.

Also have a pre-hung door that fits the new frame, the door casing, and all required knobs and hardware. Plastpro’s trimmable series of exterior doors can be fitted to non-standard sizing, making them perfect for a unique entryway.

Remember that while it’s safe to assume an exterior wall is also a load-bearing wall, you should still take any precautions necessary before beginning the project. If widening a frame for interior doors, the wall may not be load bearing.

 

Remove the Old Door

Use the pry bar to remove the casing or side trim from the current door. The goal is to reveal the gap that separates the wall frame from the door jamb. Utilize the reciprocating saw to cut any nails or screws across the top and sides. Remove the screws at the bottom of the door, then use a hammer to pound the top of the door until it’s loose and can be tipped out of the frame. Lift the door out of the opening, then use a utility knife to cut the drywall around the sides of the door six inches in from the frame. Remove the drywall to expose the door frame.

 

Remove the Old Frame

Grab the pry bar again and use it in tandem with a sledge hammer to remove the frame’s knob studs.

There will be two other studs—one known as the king stud that runs the full length of the rough opening from the floor to the wall’s top plate, and one called the jack stud that runs from the floor to the header bottom. Push these into the door opening and cut them loose with a reciprocating saw, then pry the header from the studs. Do this on the hinge side, and with great care. Use a saw to cut the nails.

 

Prepping for and Installing the New Door

The new opening should be a half-inch wider than the horizontal measurement of the new door. Measure from the outside of one side of the frame to the outside of the other.

Use the original jack and king studs as guides to cut new studs. Cut 2-by-4 boards to frame the new doorway and secure new studs with wood screws or nails. Install the new header, as well as cripple studs—shorter studs—between the header and the framing top. This creates what’s known as a rough opening that’s ready to accept a new pre-hung door. Use drywall screws to secure drywall.

Now it’s time for a new jamb. Place it at the top of the doorway, then place the side pieces of the new frame. Slip in shims and nail the side jambs in place. Then, use a saw to trim the shim ends so they don’t stick out of the frame. Nail the new casing around the doorway and finish the drywall.

 

Upgrading Your Exterior Door with Plastpro

Replacing an existing door may seem like a daunting prospect. The costs, the labor, the decision making—it can all be enough to turn a homeowner away from the endeavor, but then they’d miss out on the long-term benefits of an exterior door upgrade. Most new doors are going to provide better perks than the door that’s being replaced, but those positive aspects are further enhanced if the new door is made with fiberglass.

Plastpro’s fiberglass doors are safer, sturdier and more energy efficient than wooden doors, and customization options make Plastpro doors a great fit for a wide variety of architectural styles, design aesthetics and frame sizes. Whether you’re looking for a door to fill an existing opening or you plan to widen your door frame, start your door replacement journey with a Plastpro dealer near you!

If you’re looking to transform your space without starting a project that’ll last long or get too involved, planks offer easy installation and go a long way towards establishing a new motif in your home. The effortlessly beautiful design that accompanies the look of wood wall paneling adds raw charm that can turn an accent wall into a redefining feature of an area, and the versatility of wood means it can match a number of established design styles. 

Required Tools to Install Planking

To start your project, first you’ll need to choose the wall planks you’ll be installing. Plastpro’s planking kits give the appearance of wood but are actually made from a PVC material that’s high strength, water resistant and easily cleaned. The paneling features all the perks of a modern material while creating the appearance of real wood, and it isn’t measured in square feet so your project can be tailored to a very specific size, such as a small alcove or other space.

Once you’ve chosen your paneling, you’ll need to assemble your installation tools. Glue is a must, as well as a level, a miter saw, caulking and a nailer.

 

Steps to Install Plank Wall Paneling

To begin your project, remove your paneling from its packaging approximately three days prior to installation. This is especially important if you’re using real wood, as the wood needs time to acclimate—or adjust to the climate conditions of your home, especially its moisture content.

 

Dry Fit Your Paneling

Next, start by placing a piece of paneling at the bottom of your chosen wall. If your paneling has a small indent, make sure that’s facing up so it can be utilized with your other pieces of paneling. Check to make sure you’re comfortable with the way the paneling fits onto the wall. You may need to use a miter saw to adjust the length of your paneling.

 

Apply Adhesive

Depending on the surface and your paneling, you may be able to use glue, nails or a combination of the two to adhere your paneling to the wall. If you’re using glue, turn your paneling face down on the ground, apply the adhesive and affix the paneling in place. Use a level to be sure you’re starting with a sound base, and if necessary or desired, use a nailer to secure the paneling. 

 

Add A Second Piece

Again, dry fit the second piece onto the first by either matching the precut indents or fitting the two pieces snug against each other. Utilize the same routine to prepare and hang the paneling. Repeat until the desired area is covered in wall planks.

 

Advantages of Plank Wall Paneling

In addition to the ease of installation, plank wall paneling is extremely versatile. It can be purchased in a wide range of stains, sizes and textures. It can be as thick as thin as a wood veneer or as thick as large pieces of reclaimed barn door—because it can literally be made from pieces of barn door. It’s also one of the cheapest ways to change a space.

Plank wall paneling can highlight an area of a room that’s meant for a specific purpose, such as a workspace or a reading nook. It can also act as a divider in an open floor plan or help set an entire special room apart for the rest of the home. Given its affordability and small demand on time and labor, the only limit is imagination.

 

Upgrading Your Home with Plastpro

Whether you’re looking to add planking to a wall or introduce more of that wooden look by changing out your doors, Plastpro has you covered. The doors and planking provided by Plastpro provide the desired look while outfitting your home with the advantages that come along with materials like fiberglass and PVC, such as low maintenance and decreased energy costs. Find a Plastpro dealer to help begin your new project and transform your space! Plastpro planking is also available for individual purchase at Amazon. 

 

 

We’re facing a threat of cosmic proportions that attacks from the sky—no target is off limits, not even your own front door.

From the time we’re young, we’re taught to shield ourselves from the Sun’s rays because they can cause irreparable damage if left unchecked. Our bodies aren’t the only things susceptible to this interstellar threat, though. Prolonged exposure to the Sun can have debilitating effects on everything from printed materials like signs to outdoor furniture or decorations. Sun damage can be a real worry for homeowners, especially front door sun damage, which can impact the safety and presentation of a home.

It won’t always be easy to prevent sun damage to your front door, but there are methods and steps you can take to protect your exterior doors from the harsh helpings of sunlight they may receive.

Go Green

Sometimes, nothing beats a classic.

Since the moment they grew tall enough to cast shadows, trees have been creating shade by shielding whatever’s underneath them from the Sun’s ever-present gaze. If utilized correctly, this age-old natural sunblock can be used to protect your home—not just your front door, but anything else the trees find themselves separating from a constant bombardment of sunlight.

Choose trees that grow quickly, have high durability and thrive in the region you live. If possible and applicable, choose evergreens to help maintain shade during the winter months. Just because trees have lost their leaves doesn’t mean the Sun will refuse to cease its bombardment.

Replace Your Door

There are moments when home improvement means replacement instead of repair. Repeatedly refinishing a front door can become a major recurring expense for a homeowner. It may be more cost-effective to switch a weathered door for a new, more durable option, like one of the many fiberglass exterior doors offered by Plastpro. A fiberglass door requires less maintenance than traditional doors and is more energy efficient. Not only will a fiberglass door stand up to the sun’s damage better, it will also protect the interior of your home as well keeping you and your family cool.

Give Your Door A Hat

Trees can be great additions to your property that add character and help shield your home, but installed canopies and awnings can offer more uniform and reliable protection. This choice may also be more aesthetically pleasing than adding enough flora to your entrance way to constitute proper protection.

This option pretty much serves the same function as a hat for us humans, and just like our abundant choices when it comes to choosing headwear to aid in protection from the Sun, awnings, canopies, small roofs, and other kinds of hangovers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Going this route for solar protection has other benefits, too. Awnings, canopies and other overhangs may have an option for adjustment, suiting their size to your needs. They may also help protect outdoor decorations and furniture from the elements.

Durable Protective Finishes

One of our most commonly used defenses against the sun is a layer of sunscreen, which offers UV protection during prolonged periods of outdoor sun exposure. Protective finishes and varnishes do the same thing for front doors, but instead of lasting 6-to-8 hours, these layers last decades when properly applied and cared for.

First, check to see if your door came coated with a finish that features UV protection. If it didn’t—or if the door is showing signs of sun damage, such as peeling or cracking—it’s time to apply a new coating! 

For a wooden door try using a marine coating. Spar varnish is used on boats because it covers wood easily without leaving any cracks, creating a seamless barrier that protects from the elements. If you want to paint your wood door, use an exterior paint that’s of high quality so the color pigments stop sunlight from reaching the wood underneath.

Keeping up with a wooden door’s ongoing fight against the Sun can become costly, but there are alternatives. Fiberglass doors can recreate that wooden door look some homeowners desire while providing prolonged protection from all elements. Plastpro has options to fit a variety of different homes, including their rustic series, as well as doors that feature the textures of mahogany and oak, both popular choices for wooden doors.

How Sun Damage Occurs

When you see the colors of a door, you’re seeing rays from the Sun that the door is reflecting away. However, as the substances in a door that reflect those colors get battered by ultraviolet rays, they become damaged and their ability to reflect other rays is diminished. That’s why you’ll see colors fade, eventually becoming washed out, pale, and dull. If ultraviolet rays make their way through any coating and into the door itself, this process can also happen to the interior layers of the door.

Get Long Lasting Doors with Plastpro

Fiberglass doors last longer than traditional options because the materials are better suited to resist the elemental hardships experienced by exterior doors. This will save you time and money, as fiberglass doors break down at a slower rate, keeping your home safer and more energy efficient. They can be tailored to your taste too, with accessory options like dentil shelves and speakeasies available to add texture and personality. For unique situations, Plastpro also offers customizable doors.

That isn’t to say fiberglass doors can’t give a traditional appearance. They’re adaptable, so they’re able to be crafted into a fitting centerpiece for any home’s entryway. To find a durable fiberglass door that matches your home’s aesthetic, visit a Plastpro dealer to explore a catalog of options.