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buying a used entry door

13 years ago

I found a used fiberglass entry door on craigslist, which measurements match my existing "ugly" door that I would like to replace. How difficult is it to install just a door only into an existing door frame, and of course making sure it opens correctly, etc.?

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Comments (6)

jennifw
13 years ago
are you looking at just the slab of the door or the entire thing in the frame? I have never done it, but my contractor (doing a remodel) said that re-using old doors is difficult (but he might be lazy, too!)

Good luck.
ranger481vs
Original Author
13 years ago
Yes, just the door slab itself without frame. I was hoping to be able to fit it to the existing frame that's in my house now.
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Do you want the door to have a grain finish or do you want it smooth? Are you planning to stain or paint? Plastpro makes doors in a wide variety of textures. We have 3 of their 3' wide 6'8" tall smooth doors--2 are full lite & one is 1/2 lite with raised panels on the bottom. We are very pleased with them. The thing with the glass in the doors is that alot of times the manufacturers use the cheap frame around the glass that screws in place & the screw hole fillers are never put in properly. Plastpro is one of the very few that offer a flush glazed glass for their doors which is far superior aesthetically, IMO. Click the link below for closeup photos of the flush glaze frame. I would check again with Plastpro--sometimes you have to go to a different dealer to get the answers you need on doors (I know we had to). Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Link To Thread With Pics of Plastpro Flush Glazed Doors
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Thanks everyone for your comments.... I'm afraid I don't think about doors very much, so I don't know what looks good or not. It seems like a wood look and glass are what "looks good" and I want neither. Wood grain is fine, but the door is going to be painted. I agree about the jamb being key to security. I'm definitely going to beef up that part with a stud between the door and sidelight and a better strike plate. I realize that anyone who really wants to get in will, however I'm counting on most would-be robbers being discouraged by slightly above average security measures. But I don't want to make my house into Fort Knox! :-) Would anyone here tell me what the starting price is for a Provia steel door, no glass, and no sidelight? I'm just trying to get a feel for what kind of costs I need to look at. Thanks again.
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That's a really large size for just 2 doors. I know Provia will make them that size but you are going to pay a pretty hefty custom size charge. Probably around 30% or more.
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User
13 years ago
Not a DIY type job. If the door does not fit exactly(and it can be off as much as a half inch), you will need to change the door framing to fit the new door.

That is not impossible, but most DIYers do not have the experience nor the tools to resize the door frame easily or quickly.

To start, you would need to measure the CL door and your present door. The CL door has to be within 1/16" (wide and tall) and not bigger. The hinges should be the same, but I've seen them different. That would mean making new hinge mortices. Same for the striker plate and latch.

And, the CL door and your present door would need to have the same swing---left hinges or right hinges.
ranger481vs
Original Author
13 years ago
Okay, thanks for confirming those points. Definitely not worth doing in my situation.
brickeyee
13 years ago
It is not that hard to cut hinge or strike plate recesses in a wooden jamb.
mainegrower
13 years ago
I agree with brickeyee - if you're patient, take your time and are willing to make incremental adjustments (do little, check the fit, do a little more, etc.) there's no reason you can't do this yourself.

I do think, however, things will be easier with a solid wood door than with a fiberglass one. The latter vary a good deal in how much wood is available on the hinge and jamb sides (if any).

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