How To Harden French Doors

Predrill with a 1 8 in.

How to harden french doors.

The more you use your french doors the more likely the thread of the screws will drag against the walls of their casings and loosen. Before installing caulk behind the nail fins of the doorframe to help create a weather tight seal. If the french doors have dropped due to loose screws in the hinges attempt to tighten them before you test the doors again. In this video are.

Before installing the french doors frame check the sill plate for any deformities nails or obstructions. Door hardening starts with the door itself. Jeld wen 72 in x 80 in external grilles primed steel right hand inswing double door french patio door. Older homes have non standard sized openings so you may need to install a new jamb inside the opening to fit the french doors of your choice.

Set up a power or cordless drill with a screw tip attachment. Tighten the screws in the hinges at the edges of the doors and at the faces. Reliabilt steel patio door 96 in x 80 in clear glass steel right hand inswing double doors french patio door with screen. A metal plate over the lock mechanism on both sides of the door secured with bolts through the door are an easy way to prevent the door from splitting.

In response to our ultimate home defense security plan we were asked numerous times how to harden doors and windows. Open both doors fully and stabilize each with a doorstop. To further reinforce the doorjamb install a new strike plate in place of the old lip door strike plate that serves the doorknob lockset. The door will split and the the lock mechanism will just twist out.

Attach it with 3 in. Three point locking mechanisms are best for french doors. Pre hung doors eliminate many of the steps necessary to installing a door. So we made a video.

Apply three beads of 100 percent non hardening silicone don t use constructive adhesive onto the sill plate to help keep the weather out. Predrill and attach a new plate with no. For standard door frames french doors are also available in pre hung kits making installation simple and straightforward. If this is the case you may need to remove the entire doors so you can renew the holes.

While interior doors are typically 1 3 8 inch thick exterior doors should be 1 3 4 inches of solid wood. Screws that are angled in slightly to catch the stud. For doors with a bolt that slides to lock along the top and bottom of the door you can permanently lock the door by drilling a hole into.