Replacing a front, patio, or side entry door instantly boosts curb appeal, energy efficiency, and security. Yet many homeowners hesitate because “how to install a exterior door” feels daunting. At CountBricks, residential construction is what we do every day—both onsite and through our AI-driven estimating platform. In this guide, our field carpenters and software engineers team up to walk you through the process, highlight common pitfalls, and explain how CountBricks.com can streamline every step from takeoff to punch-list.
• Use CountBricks.com/blueprint-takeoff to capture exact rough-opening dimensions from digital plans or a photo of the existing frame.
• Export a live material list that updates local pricing for the Bronx, NY—or anywhere you build—so there are no budget surprises.
• Confirm swing direction, jamb depth, and threshold height to match the existing floor and siding.
• Prehung exterior door with brickmold
• Shims, composite or cedar
• 3-inch exterior-grade screws
• Low-expansion spray foam
• Exterior caulk and backer rod
• Drill/driver, level, square, reciprocating saw, utility knife
• Door hardware and weatherstripping kit
CountBricks Pro Tip: Generate a one-click purchase order directly from your CountBricks estimate to your preferred supplier for same-day pickup.
1. Remove the old unit. Cut through painted seams with a utility knife, pop trim with a pry bar, then unscrew or nail-cut the jamb.
2. Inspect the sill. Replace rotten framing and flash the opening with self-adhesive membrane, running it up the jambs at least 6 inches.
3. Dry-fit the new door. Set it in place to confirm clearance and reveal alignment. Pull it back out.
4. Apply sealant. Run a bead of exterior-grade caulk along the sub-sill and up the sides where the brickmold will seat.
5. Set the unit. Tilt the door into the opening from the bottom up, centering the jamb.
6. Plumb and level. Insert shims behind hinges first, then at the latch side. Use a 6-foot level for accuracy.
7. Secure the hinges. Drive three 3-inch screws through each hinge leaf, penetrating framing for strength against wind loads.
8. Check operation. Close the door, ensure even margins at the head and sides, and adjust shims where needed.
9. Insulate. From the interior, spray low-expansion foam between jamb and framing. Trim excess when cured.
10. Install exterior trim. Nail brickmold to sheathing, seal all edges with flexible caulk, and touch up paint as required.
• Over-foaming jambs, which can bow frames—our task checklist reminds installers to use low-expansion products only.
• Forgetting to flash the sill—CountBricks mobile app pops up a mandatory photo checkpoint before you proceed.
• Mis-ordering swing direction—our AI prompts a left-hand/right-hand confirmation at estimate creation.
Building codes increasingly demand lower U-values and tighter air sealing. CountBricks keeps your specs current by syncing with real-time code libraries per ZIP code. When you select an ENERGY STAR door in our catalog, the U-value automatically appears on the estimate and final invoice, ready for permitting.
• Homeowners: Use CountBricks.com/consultation to book a 15-minute call with a project estimator who will walk you through material options and labor times.
• Contractors: Import our prebuilt “Exterior Door Install” task pack into your account to auto-populate local labor rates, mark-ups, and overhead.
• Suppliers: Accept digital purchase orders straight from CountBricks, reducing errors and accelerating delivery.
CountBricks data shows that a fiberglass prehung door in the Bronx currently averages:
• Materials: $650-$900 depending on style
• Labor: 4.5 crew-hours at $79/hr average
• Misc. Supplies: $45
Total Estimated Cost: $1,050-$1,300. Generate a line-item quote in under 60 seconds at CountBricks.com.
• AI precision: Dynamic pricing and code compliance checked in real time.
• Voice-driven estimating: Talk through the scope, watch the numbers build instantly.
• Seamless documentation: Branded proposals, change orders, and invoices at one click.
• Verified craftsmanship: View completed exterior door installs in our gallery at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
Once the trim paint is dry and weatherstripping is seated, perform a final swing test, lock engagement check, and blower-door pressure test if required by local code. Upload photos to the CountBricks job dashboard; our AI will flag any visible gaps before you request homeowner sign-off.
If “how to install a exterior door” is on your weekend list, download the CountBricks Quick-Start Kit. Prefer turnkey service? Our residential crews serve the entire NYC metro area. Book your install at CountBricks.com/services and experience construction simplified.
Last fall, the Rodriguez family needed three exterior doors replaced before winter. They contacted CountBricks via our voice estimate feature at 9 AM; by 9:08 their inbox held a line-item quote, complete with 3D renderings and energy-savings projections.
• Scope: Two fiberglass entry doors and one half-lite side door
• Duration: Single-day installation with a three-person crew
• Savings: 22 % heating loss reduction verified by post-install blower test
1. Digital Takeoff: Clients texted photos of each opening. CountBricks AI extracted rough-opening sizes and flagged one sill for rot repair.
2. Material Sync: Local supplier pricing fed directly into the estimate, locking in numbers for 14 days.
3. Onsite Execution: Our carpenters followed the same 10-step process outlined in the main article, photographing each milestone for cloud storage.
4. Quality Assurance: Before leaving, a project lead used the CountBricks punch-list checklist—zero outstanding items.
• Scheduling efficiency: Voice scheduling shaved an average of 30 minutes of phone tag per door.
• Predictive inventory: Real-time stock alerts allowed us to pre-order custom sill extenders, avoiding a typical two-day delay.
If you’re pricing multiple door replacements, tap into the same proven workflow. Generate a free, no-obligation estimate at CountBricks.com/consultation. Our combination of seasoned installers and smart software means you get the speed of AI with the craftsmanship of licensed carpenters—another reason CountBricks leads residential construction innovation.
