Replacing your front or back door might sound simple, but there’s more to it than just picking a nice-looking slab and calling it a day. A proper exterior door installation is part craftsmanship, part science, and—if done right—can save you money, improve home security, and make your house look sharp from the curb.

A poorly fitted door can leak air, let in water, and even mess with your home’s temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that old doors and windows can cause up to 30% of a home's heating and cooling to slip right out through air leaks. So yeah, your door’s doing more than just letting the Amazon guy in.

Let’s break it down step by step, so you know exactly what happens when the pros show up with tools in hand.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Ready: What Happens Before Installation
2. Removing the Old Door
3. Checking the Frame and Making Adjustments
4. Installing the New Door
5. Sealing, Trimming, and Final Touches
6. Clean-Up and Walk-Through
7. Final Thoughts

1. Getting Ready: What Happens Before Installation

Before anyone swings a hammer, a professional will usually come out to measure the door frame—twice. Trust us, nothing slows down a job faster than a door that doesn’t fit the opening.

You’ll talk through what type of door you want (steel, fiberglass, wood) and which way it should swing. Some folks are surprised how much that matters. Whether it swings left or right, inward or outward, it all comes down to what fits best in your space.

Also, don’t be shy about asking questions. Good contractors appreciate curious homeowners. If they roll their eyes when you ask how long the job will take, find someone else.

Removing the Old Door

The first thing the pros do on installation day is take out the old door. That means removing the door, the hinges, and the trim (also known as the casing) around the frame. It can get a little dusty, so throw a towel over anything you don’t want covered in sawdust.

Most pros can remove a standard door in under 30 minutes, but some stubborn frames or painted-over hinges might take a bit more time and muscle.

Checking the Frame and Making Adjustments

The installer will inspect the rough opening (the hole in your wall where the door lives) and check it for level and square.

If it’s not perfectly even—and many older homes aren’t—they’ll make adjustments using shims or even rebuild part of the frame. This step is crucial. A crooked frame means your door won’t seal properly, and soon enough, you’ll be stuffing a towel under the door every winter.

Installing the New Door

Now comes the fun part: putting in the new door. The installer will slide it into place, check the fit, and secure it with long screws through the frame and into the wall studs. That means your door isn’t just hanging on drywall—it’s anchored to your house.

They’ll test it several times to make sure it swings open easily, latches smoothly, and closes tightly. A good installer will obsess over the tiniest gap, because they know even a little space can lead to big drafts.

Sealing, Trimming, and Final Touches

Once the door is in, they’ll insulate around it—usually with spray foam—to stop air leaks. Then comes the weatherstripping, caulk, and finally, the trim goes back on.

This is also when you can expect any hardware (handle, lock, deadbolt) to be installed or replaced. If you bought a smart lock or keypad, now’s the time to test it.

Clean-Up and Walk-Through

The last 30 minutes of the job should look a lot like tidying up. A good installer will vacuum the area, wipe down the new door, and walk you through how to lock and unlock it. They’ll also let you know if you should wait before painting or staining (some materials need to cure first).

Don’t hesitate to open and close the door a few times yourself. If something feels off, speak up—it’s easier to fix while the tools are still out.

Final Thoughts

Getting a new door might not be as exciting as a kitchen remodel, but it’s one of those upgrades that quietly makes a big difference. Better energy savings, better security, better first impressions.

And while some folks may be tempted to DIY this kind of job, there’s a reason professionals stay in business: small mistakes can turn into expensive problems. If you're investing in your home, it's worth doing it right the first time.

For expert exterior door installation, homeowners can trust the crew at A&E Modern Construction. Their team shows up on time, gets the job done right, and leaves your home cleaner than they found it.