Replacing Windows with French Doors

If you have a deck on the back of your home but no way to access it directly, you may be thinking of replacing windows with French doors and doing the work yourself. This DIY Network video explains why this is a project better left to professionals:

The first thing your contractor will do is carefully size up the area where the new doors will be located. If you happen to be replacing anything within an exterior load-bearing wall, it can be somewhat complicated. You may need a new header to keep the wall above the door structurally sound, or you might need to re-route the electrical wiring. A contractor will have the know-how to get this done right per your local building code.

A contractor can then help you determine if you need standard size doors or custom order doors. Remember, if you need to go custom, you’ll want to factor that into your budget and your timeline.

Hanging the doors can also be tricky, with lots of shimming involved to ensure a secure fit, which means the doors need to be square, level and plumb.

Don’t forget about proper insulation.You want to make sure you properly seal around the door so it’s secure and your home remains well insulated.

Finally, if you’re not already sold on hiring a pro for a job like this, consider the finish work involved. There’s plenty to be done once the doors are installed, like replacing any brick siding where the doors were cut in, not to mention painting everything to match the home’s exterior.

While it may cost more up front, by letting a professional handle the installation of the doors, you’ll ensure they’re hung correctly with a level and weatherproof fit.