DIY Installation Tips for Stable Doors
Exterior door installation is not the easiest DIY project. These products must be installed properly or your home will not have the level of security required or the level of efficiency needed. But that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to install your own exterior door. It only means that you need to be more careful, especially when putting in unique styles such as stable doors.
What Are Stables Doors and Why Are They Challenging?
Stable style doors are much like the doors traditionally seen on a stable. The top half can move independently of the bottom half, allowing you to open only part of the door. Alternatively, a stable door can be latched together so that it opens as a standard single door would.
You will encounter more than a few challenges to installing this type of door. Hinges need to be set and squared for both the top and bottom of the door. Also, the lay of each door to the other is important, as is the seal between the two. All of these elements need to be lined up and kept straight during installation. Without an extra hand or two the typical DIY enthusiast may find this a difficult task.
Hook latches and locking mechanisms must be set up properly and securely. This is especially important to ensure the exterior door keeps your family safe from burglary. Stable doors can provide an impressive level of security, but only when elements such as the locks and latches are installed properly.
Things to Consider
Always ask the manufacturer if there are installation instructions available. These may be simple and they may be overly complicated. But in any case, if you are going at it alone you are going to need some direction. Often these instructions come with the door, but you may need to contact the manufacturer or retailer directly to obtain them.
Have your level handy at all times. And be prepared to adjust the hinges and latches numerous times before the proper fit is found. The fact is that with temperature changes you may need to adjust the hinges again to allow smooth movement, but it’s important to have the initial installation as straight as possible.
Screening is often another element of stable doors and you may need to install the screens separately. Decide whether a sliding screen will work or whether you will need to opt for a model that has built in screening. But this additional feature can also complicate an already challenging project.
DIY installers may want to tackle an exterior door, but stable doors provide their own difficulties. Think through the options and plan well if you want to install this particular type of exterior door yourself.
Stable doors are an attractive addition to many homes, along with bi-folding doors they allow lots of light and air in to the home helping to keep it fresh and pleasant to be in.
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