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Installing a new door, especially the front one, is a perfect way to give your home a new look and improve its value. However, door installation projects aren’t always straightforward. A simple mistake can lead to costly door repairs and sometimes, a replacement. If you’re considering replacing your old door or installing a new one, it’s important to prepare adequately for a satisfactory outcome. Here are the eight most common mistakes you must avoid to ensure a seamless door installation project.

Choosing the Wrong Door

The first mistake you will likely make is choosing the wrong door for your home or space. If you’re shopping for a door for the first time, it’s best to consult with experienced professionals in your locality. A door installation in Alexandria VA, will slightly differ from a similar project in a different city miles away. Different cities have different popular door styles that perform best in local conditions, and only a local expert can help you choose wisely.

The material a door is made of is also a crucial factor to consider. Wooden doors are ideal for achieving timeless elegance but require regular maintenance, especially in areas with extreme weather conditions. On the other hand, steel and fiberglass doors are low-maintenance options that can perform better than wood in extreme weather conditions.

To avoid choosing the wrong door, meticulously evaluate all the right factors for a perfect door for your needs. The right door type for the wrong region or purpose will set you back a significant amount of money within a short time of installation.

Improper Measurements

If you’ve replaced or installed doors more often, you may feel like you don’t need to carry exact measurements when shopping for your next door. However, knowing the exact measurements for every door you buy can save you time and money by ensuring you get it right the first time. An improperly fitting door won’t close properly after installation, allowing insects, dirt, or water to enter your home.

To avoid similar problems, always measure the door frame's height, depth, and width perfectly before buying a door. You can repeat your measurements at least thrice to ensure you’re getting it right and leave a small measurement allowance to ensure the door will fit.

Not Paying Enough Attention to the Hinges

The type of hinges you choose for your door is crucial for its performance after installation. A strong door with weak hinges will underperform and will most likely pose safety risks to users. The right hinges should match your door’s weight and material, ensuring that it supports itself safely and opens and closes smoothly.

If installing heavy wooden or metallic doors, use stronger, larger hinges that match the weight. However, if you’re unsure what type of door hinges to buy, consult a professional or a hardware store near you for the right door hinge for your specific needs.

Ignoring a Door Swing Direction

A perfect door installation is more than finding the right door and hinges—it’s also about considering the door swing direction. If an ideal scenario would be for the door to open with a pull from outside, and you install it to open with a push instead, there will be trouble.

A door opening in the wrong swing direction could lead to various functional issues and an awkward layout. For instance, you may have trouble navigating a room, or the door might block some fixtures, such as light switches.

To avoid all these, ensure you confirm the direction of the door swing in advance, checking whether it should swing inwards or outwards based on your room’s design and functionality.

Avoid last-minute confusion by marking the handle and the hinge side early so the door can go into its rightful position effortlessly.

Picking the Wrong Installation Tools or Hardware

If you’re in a rush to install the door, you may not wait to have all the necessary tools. Picking the wrong tools or mismatched, low-quality hardware can result in poor alignment, loose hinges, and a risky installation.

Since you only install a door once in a long time, investing in high-quality hardware that matches your door’s specifications helps you avoid premature failures. Once you have the right tools, such as a chisel, power drill, and screwdriver, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for effective hardware installation, ensuring every door feature and screw is perfectly fastened.

Not Weatherproofing Exterior Doors

Weatherproofing is crucial to protecting your external door regardless of where you live. A weatherproofed door is protected from raindrops, extreme sun, and pest scratches, all of which can compromise its integrity and raise your energy bills. Weatherproofing also protects your door from wearing out quickly, ensuring it maintains its attractive look for a long time.

You can seal the gaps around your door frame through weatherstripping to protect it from pests and insects. When doing a post-installation inspection, ensure you seal any gaps you find using a high-quality caulk for a perfect seal. You may also add a foam insulation product to protect against extreme cold weather.

Forgetting to Confirm the Local Building Codes

Checking and confirming existing building codes before installing a door can save you from fines and expensive repairs. Despite the temptation to install your door as soon as possible, always take some time off to review the codes in your area before starting. If you’re installing a fire-rated door, check the local requirements for such doors and ensure your door meets all accessibility standards.

Refusing to Seek Professional Help

Effective door installation can be a challenging journey to navigate alone. When you hire trusted professionals, they’ll help you do most of the work as you mainly just observe. They have the experience and expertise to understand the requirements of any door installation project and deliver satisfactory work. Don’t wait until it is too late to call professionals, especially for heavy doors or when installing a door into a custom frame.

Avoiding these eight door-installation mistakes can set you up for great success with your door- installation projects. A perfectly installed door will look attractive while providing the needed