How hard is it to put a front door in my very old house?

Question

I can see light all the way around the door crack and winter is coming. I would like to have a carpenter put a door in, but wonder if the floor is so unlevel in this old 1904 house he could not get it in properly. I noticed a door with a huge window in the Menards flyer, and would like to have it put in the front of my house. Would it be hard to do? What do you know about this? I think maybe they would have to re frame the whole doorway. Should I buy the door 1st then hire it put in or wait until I see a carpenter? I know doors come pre framed, but what about that bottom part which looks metal, does that come with the door or is that something a carpenter adds?

I do not plan on moving out of this house. I own it. I was raised here and have done major improvements. I have already re plumbed, installed a septic system, put new windows in up stairs and bought a new kitchen. I am here to stay.

Answer 1

If your house is this old, I would have a professional at least take a look at first. It is quite likely that you have an exsisting door that is larger than what you are looking at to purchase. And by the way, installation is a little bit more involved than just taking out the old door and throwing in a few shims and screwing in a new one. Unless this house is a henhouse.

Answer 2

All doors here come completely with the frames all the way around. The problem you may have if the house is that old is that the door is not square enough to take the new door. Take a square and put it in the corners of the door frame and see how much it is off. If it is off by too much you are better off using foam if the opening is on the sides or top. If its on the bottom use a rubber seal on the door itself and cut to the gap. Otherwise It is easy to change (unless its embeded in stucko) take out the screws that hold the frame in, take out the door with frame. Put new door in place (using level) level door with shims. Put new screews in (through shims). Fill any gaps with foam insulation. (add new boarders (or old) and your done.

Answer 3

how about just buying weatherstripping or a seal for around the door? it can be expensive to replace an old door. everyone in my building who has done it has had to replace the old non standard frame with a new one and this involves plastering around the new frame so its fits into where the old frame used to be. it took the guy above me three days to do. unless your planning on staying in this house for a long time, i would just try a seal around the edge. you can get this from home depot.

Answer 4

I completely agree with the above post from william v. I also have many years experience in remodeling and construction and if i were you, I would call an experience carpenter with good references.