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5 Cool Tools that can help with your next Door Installation

Written by JENTRA on February 4, 2017. Posted in Doors 101. Leave a Comment

you might want to see these.

Our pick of 5 cool tools to help with your next door installation.

Below are 5 of the most ingenious tools we’ve seen when it comes to door installation. Take a quick look below to see if you could use any of these!

#1. Winbag™ USA

First on our list of cool tools, The Winbag acts as a reusable, inflatable shim. You simply insert it in-between the components you wish to shim and then as Arnold would say, you “Pump it Up!” The Winbag has an impressive shimming range from 3/32″ – 2″ and can lift up to 300lbs. Retailing for around $20, we think this is a must have for any handyman’s tool bag. Learn more at Winbag™ USA.

#2. Heavy Duty Vacuum Cups

These are great for getting a grip on heavy door slabs that would otherwise be difficult to handle. Basically a strong suction cup with a handle, these clever cups come in 8″ – 10″ sizes and can lift from 100lbs all the way up to 300lbs securely. Depending on what you want to spend, you can find a good selection of vacuum cups ranging from $40 up to $100 at WGS Online.

#3. The Hinge Tweaker™

Over time, heavy doors tend to sag and need some adjusting, this company has come up with a unique solution that almost anyone can tackle. By “tweaking” the hinges back and forth, you can easily adjust them back to their original position. Your commercial doors will thank you and for less than $85 you can get them swinging like brand new! Learn more about this cool tool at the Hinge Tweaker™ website.

#4. CHEATAH™ door level

Another cool tool, the CHEATAH door level helps anyone easily install a prehung door. The CHEATAH can help by showing Level & Plumb simultaneously. Plus the built-in SHIMPADS™ help to create perfect reveals between the door and frame. This results in improved installation and function of doors, resulting in fewer warranty callbacks. You can buy the CHEATAH™ door level here.

#5. Trim Gauge™

For those of us who are perfectionists, the Trim Gauge can be a best friend when it comes to getting the perfect reveal on your next trim installation. Designed to set the spacing between the trim and the door frame, for less than $30 you can keep all of your trim jobs spot on. Get yours at the Trim Guage™ website

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Here are some more you might be interested in! We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about door installation and wrote it down for your use

How Important is a Level Door Sill?

Written by JENTRA on December 26, 2016. Posted in Doors 101. 1 Comment

it’s not that big of a deal… is it?

Let’s Take a Look at Why a Level Door Sill is So Important.

It’s a Big Deal…

This is a question that most people don’t think about before beginning a door installation, but it might be the most important step to take. Installing a door with a level door sill is like building a house on a level foundation, you have to start right to end right.

As you can see in the picture above, if you don’t start with a level sill, it’s practically impossible to end up with a good result to your door installation. The sill is the door’s foundation, if it is out of level; the problems compound over the height of the door and become much more difficult to troubleshoot.

A Level Foundation is the Key Building Block to Any Structure.

Now that we know we need a level sill, it’s easy right? Well in the real world, you’ll find most construction sites don’t offer a perfectly level sill area in the rough framing. In fact, it’s very uncommon to find a perfect RO (rough opening) with a perfect sill. So what do you do? You fix it!

Take the time

It’s important to use a straight edge level long enough to run the entire length of the door sill to make sure that the entire span is level and without dips or rises. A dip or a rise in the sill must be fixed before beginning the door installation.

One of the best methods we’ve come across to fix a dip or a rise in the door sill is to use strips of Ice and Water shield (found on most jobsites as a roofing underlayment) or asphalt shingles to build up the rough framing in order to create a level door sill. Depending on the thickness you need, the strips are easy to cut and stay nicely in place where you need them during the door’s installation and afterwards.

Fix Any Problems Before Moving Forward with Installation!

By taking the time to complete this small step, you will find that many common door installation problems disappear when you start with a level sill!

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

Here are some more you might be interested in! We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about door installation and wrote it down for your use

5 Mistakes You Might be Making Installing a Door

Written by JENTRA on June 5, 2014. Posted in Doors 101.

we’ve been there too.

Our pick of the top 5 most common door installation mistakes

Below are 5 of the most common problems seen when it comes to installing a door. Take a look below to see if you’ve ever struggled with any of these!

1. Hanging the door parallel to the wall, even if it is out of level

If the wall is out of plumb, it’s hard to install a door correctly and it may tend to swing open or closed. If the wall is plumb but the door frame is not, the door frame may need to be adjusted to ensure an even reveal on each side of the door. If the walls on either side are not parallel, extra time may be needed during shimming to ensure the best results.

Don’t Expect Good Results if you Don’t Start Right.

2. Using the wrong hinge screws or over-tightening them

The right screws, or 3 ½” screws, keep the door stable over time. Too small of screws can allow the door to migrate over time, which can cause it to rub or scrape on the floor or not shut at all. When the screws have been tightened improperly, the door will experience uneven tension and will eventually warp.

Go Slow and Steady.

3. Placing shims improperly or backwards

When installing a door, thick end of the shim should face the door’s hinge pin. This helps it swing shut properly. If the shims have been installed backwards, the door will begin to resist before it is completely shut. Putting door shims in backwards can also be a large contributing factor to a door that swings open or shut on it’s own. Read more about proper shimming techniques here: The Ups and Downs of a Door Shim.

Proper Shimming is Important.

4. Failing to check the reveals

As the industries top cause of warped doors, uneven reveals can cause significant long-term problems with a door. The reveals must be parallel to ensure proper operation and a long life for the door. If the reveals are uneven, the door will build up pressure over time and warp as the moisture level changes. If a door is hanging with even tension across all three hinges, it will operate properly for years to come.

EnergySTAR Ratings can be Voided by Improper Reveals.

5. Not starting with a level sill

As seen in the picture below, by starting without a level sill, it’s practically impossible to end up with a good result to your door installation. The sill is the door’s foundation, if it is out of level; the problems compound over the height of the door and become much more difficult to troubleshoot. Read more about proper level sill here: How Important is a Level Sill?

Installing a door with a level sill is like building a house on a level foundation, start right to end right.

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

Here are some more you might be interested in! We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about door installation and wrote it down for your use

Tag: doors

5 Cool Tools that can help with your next Door Installation

you might want to see these.

Our pick of 5 cool tools to help with your next door installation.

#1. Winbag™ USA

#2. Heavy Duty Vacuum Cups

#3. The Hinge Tweaker™

#4. CHEATAH™ door level

#5. Trim Gauge™

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

How Important is a Level Door Sill?

it’s not that big of a deal… is it?

Let’s Take a Look at Why a Level Door Sill is So Important.

It’s a Big Deal…

A Level Foundation is the Key Building Block to Any Structure.

Take the time

Fix Any Problems Before Moving Forward with Installation!

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

5 Mistakes You Might be Making Installing a Door

we’ve been there too.

Our pick of the top 5 most common door installation mistakes

1. Hanging the door parallel to the wall, even if it is out of level

Don’t Expect Good Results if you Don’t Start Right.

2. Using the wrong hinge screws or over-tightening them

Go Slow and Steady.

3. Placing shims improperly or backwards

Proper Shimming is Important.

4. Failing to check the reveals

EnergySTAR Ratings can be Voided by Improper Reveals.

5. Not starting with a level sill

Installing a door with a level sill is like building a house on a level foundation, start right to end right.

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

JENTRA™

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Tag: doors

5 Cool Tools that can help with your next Door Installation

you might want to see these.

Our pick of 5 cool tools to help with your next door installation.

#1. Winbag™ USA

#2. Heavy Duty Vacuum Cups

#3. The Hinge Tweaker™

#4. CHEATAH™ door level

#5. Trim Gauge™

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

How Important is a Level Door Sill?

it’s not that big of a deal… is it?

Let’s Take a Look at Why a Level Door Sill is So Important.

It’s a Big Deal…

A Level Foundation is the Key Building Block to Any Structure.

Take the time

Fix Any Problems Before Moving Forward with Installation!

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

5 Mistakes You Might be Making Installing a Door

we’ve been there too.

Our pick of the top 5 most common door installation mistakes

1. Hanging the door parallel to the wall, even if it is out of level

Don’t Expect Good Results if you Don’t Start Right.

2. Using the wrong hinge screws or over-tightening them

Go Slow and Steady.

3. Placing shims improperly or backwards

Proper Shimming is Important.

4. Failing to check the reveals

EnergySTAR Ratings can be Voided by Improper Reveals.

5. Not starting with a level sill

Installing a door with a level sill is like building a house on a level foundation, start right to end right.

DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE?

JENTRA™

Categories

Services

Sign up to Our Newsletter and Never Miss a Deal

Sign up to Our Newsletter
and Never Miss a Deal