How to Install French Doors in a Shed

Want a little more style in your shed? Make your shed truly unique with French doors. Learn how to install them in this Lowe’s video:

For a complete tools and materials list and detailed project instructions, click here.

Remove Door

Start by removing the hinges and old doors.

Prep Opening

To retrofit a new door, it’s best to buy a door to fit your opening or one that’s a little bigger since most shed wall panels are pre-cut. For bigger doors, you’ll have to re-frame the opening as follows:
Start by outlining the size of the new door on the wall. Add about a quarter inch to each side. Draw another set of lines 1-1/2 inches outside of those marks to the left and right.
Remove any windows, studs and braces within the marked area.
Install 2 x 4 king studs on the outside lines to help support the roof, then install jack studs to the inside of the king studs.
Build a header from two 2 x 6’s with strips of 1/2-inch plywood in between and secure it above the doorway. Make sure everything is square by measuring the diagonals; they should be equal. Cut the excess panels and sill plates with a reciprocating saw. You’ll cover rough edges with trim later.
Set the new door in the opening to see if it fits. You should have about a 1/4- to 3/8-inch gaps around the frame. If the gaps are too large, attach additional lumber inside the framing to reduce the space.

Sill

To protect the floor from water damage, install a sill made of aluminum flashing. Check the fit, making sure it bends over the front on a step-down latch. Apply sealant and press into place with a roller. Install other flashing following the manufacturere’s guidelines. You’ll cover it later with trim.

Install

Apply a bead of sealant around the door. Set the door in place and secure it with 3-inch screws through the jam near the top, but don’t drive them in all the way.
Shim around the door six inches from the corners, every eight inches between, and behind the hinges.
Now check that the door is square, level and plumb. Also check that the door swings freely and adjust the shims as needed.
Next, drive a 3-inch screw in each hinge, then cut the excess shims.
You’ll need to check a few things on the doors next. The door sweep should overlap the threshold by an eighth inch. If the sill cap is too low, turn the adjustment screw to raise it. The inactive door will need strike plates. With the inactive door closed, mark where the flush bolts touch the head jam and sill cap. Drill a 1/2-inch hole at the intersection and attach the plates with screws.
To seal around the door frame, apply foam insulation inside the interior gap. After it sets, cover with trim and apply a bead of sealant. Add trim to the exterior too, followed by sealing.
Add a transition along the threshold and weatherstripping along the jam.
Finally, install the lockset, and you’re finished.

You now have a shed with plenty of character and a little more natural light.