How To Replace a Mobile Home Front Door

Are you looking to spruce up the exterior of your mobile home? One surefire method is to swap out your tired, old front door for a sleek, new one. This simple upgrade can breathe new life into your home’s appearance. Whether your current door is showing signs of wear, feels outdated, or you just want to elevate the look and functionality of your mobile home, replacing it is a smart move. With this DIY project, you can make a significant difference without breaking the bank. 

Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to install a mobile home front door.

 

Mobile Home Replacement Doors

The initial phase of installing a new exterior door involves selecting the right door for your space. You will want to look at both the size of your current door and how the hinges are aligned.  

 

Measuring for Your Mobile Home Replacement Doors

This process begins with taking precise measurements of your current door. Fortunately, this task is straightforward. Grab a tape measure and follow these steps:

1. Width: Measure the door’s width from one side to the opposite horizontally, outside the wood jamb, excluding the door itself.
2. Height: Measure the door’s height from the outside of the wood jamb, starting from the top and extending past the threshold to the floor.

For example, if your rough opening measures 33 1/2″ in width and 75 1/2″ in height, the nearest size you should order is a 34″W x 76″L door. This should be the exact measurements if you removed the door and measured the rough opening.

 

Left or right-hinged Door

When selecting a new front door, take note of the direction in which the door will swing open. To determine whether your door is right or left-hinged, inspect the door from the outside to locate the side where the hinges are.

 

Steps to Install Your Mobile Home’s Front Door

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of replacing your mobile home’s front door:

1. Gathering Materials

The basic materials and tools you need to install an exterior door may include the following:

Materials:

• New mobile home door
• Chisel
• Non-hardening sealant tapes, such as Putty Tape or Butyl Tape
• Hex Head Screws
• Drill/Driver & Bits or Hex Screwdriver
• Hammer
• Level

Optional Items:

• Storm Door Hardware and Safety Chain
• Locks and Latches

 

2. Removing the Mobile Home Front Door

To remove an old mobile home’s front door smoothly, remove the trim, caulk, and threshold. You’ll likely find screws inside the frame and Z-bar that need to be removed before you can lift out the entire unit. 

Here are some important steps for removing the door and frame:  

• Begin by removing the doorknob and any other hardware that you can use again in the future. 
• Start unscrewing the hinges while the door is open. With someone’s help, carefully separate the door from the hinges and remove it from the frame. 
• To avoid scratching the floor, use a drop cloth or cardboard as a protective layer. 
• If the door is stuck due to paint, cut through the paint with a sharp utility knife before proceeding to avoid damaging the trim. 
• Use a pry bar to remove the old frame, making sure to address any persistent nails or screws. 
• When removing the trim, cut it into smaller sections for easier handling. 
• Disassemble the door frame from top to bottom to minimize wall damage.

Tip: Always wear safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection.

 

3. Check the Fit

Before starting the installation process, it is crucial to check if a new door fits right. Do not remove any shipping clips or fasteners, and keep the door closed and locked during installation. Prematurely opening the door can disturb the pre-alignment done by the manufacturer. 

Make sure that all surfaces around the door frame, including siding seams, are level and securely fastened.

Tip: Doors in mobile homes can shift due to settling, causing difficulties in opening or closing. If you’re replacing a misaligned door, level your mobile home first to prevent similar issues with the new door and avoid putting undue stress on the hinges.

 

4. Seal the Bottom of the Doorsill

Once you are satisfied with the fit of the door, remove it and apply a suitable non-hardening sealant tape (such as Putty Tape or Butyl Tape) to the backside of the door’s mounting flange.

 

5. Center the Door

Carefully center the door within the rough opening. Ensure the door sill is securely positioned on the floor. Move the door towards the side with the hinges until it is snugly against the frame, and then press the molding firmly against the wall.

 

6. Secure the Mobile Home Front Door

Next, use Hex Head Screws to fasten the door securely. Start by driving in the first three screws along the outer pre-punched flange, right in the middle on the side with the hinges. Then, drive in the following three screws in the middle on the side where the lock is. Finally, make sure to secure the rest of the screws: along the hinge side, across the sill, up the lock side, and across the header.

 

7. Remove the Retaining Brackets

Remove the shipping clips installed by the manufacturer and open the door to make sure they work correctly. If your door has butt-type hinges holding it to the frame (like some six-panel doors do), put a long screw through each hinge on the frame jamb side so it goes into the wall stud. This helps keep everything in place.

 

8. Apply Caulk and Adjust the Threshold

Start by applying a paintable caulk around the entire door frame. Then, fill any nail holes with caulk and use weather stripping to insulate where needed. For doors with an adjustable stop, make sure to adjust the stop to the exterior of the inner door, ensuring a tight seal.

 

9. Replace the Casing and Cut the Shims

Now, it’s time to add or adjust any trim. If the trim got damaged when removing the old door, you’ll need to cut and install a new casing. Use a utility knife to cut the shims flush with the framing.

 

10. Install A New Lock and Knob

The final step in installing a mobile home front door is putting on the doorknob and hardware. Here’s how to do it:

• Start by inserting the latch through the hole for the new parts.
• Slide the lockset tailpieces through the latch bolt.
• Use a hand screwdriver to tighten the retaining screws on the handles. This helps prevent damage to the screws.
• Finish up by attaching the strike plate to the door jamb so the latch bolt fits appropriately.

 

Shop MHPS for Your Mobile Home Front Door

Improving your mobile home’s front door can make a big difference in how it looks and feels. Whether you’re looking to replace a worn-out door or update the style of your home, Mobile Home Parts Store offers a wide selection of replacement doors to suit your needs. With easy-to-follow instructions and quality materials, you can confidently tackle this DIY project and breathe new life into your mobile home. So why wait? Don’t settle for a tired, outdated door any longer; visit Mobile Home Parts Store and unlock the potential for a stylish, durable, and secure entrance to your mobile home today.

Tags: Doors for Mobile Home, front door, mobile home door, Mobile home doors, mobile home front door, mobile home interior door

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 2:38 am and is filed under DIY Project Center, Mobile Home Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.