Door Maintenance and Replacement
Want to improve your home’s curb appeal? Replacing your entry door uplevels your home’s look. Here’s how to replace your front door without replacing the jamb.

How To Replace an Entry Door Without Replacing the Door Jamb

The front door is likely the first thing visitors see when they come to your home. If your front door looks good, it emits a strong first impression from the start. If you have an older or damaged door, consider replacing it with a new one to improve your home’s curb appeal.

If your door frame is in good shape and square, you can replace the exterior door without removing the jamb. You don’t even need special tools — you can cut the hinge mortise with a chisel and hammer. This step-by-step guide shares everything you need to know to replace a front door without replacing the frame. 

front door

1. Remove the Old Door

Start by removing the old door from the jamb. Use a cordless drill to unscrew the hinges from the frame, but leave the hinges on the door. When unscrewing, apply firm pressure to the strip hinge screw heads to prevent stripping.

Place the door exterior side down across sawhorses and remove the doorknob. Make sure to have replacement shims on hand before removing the door and wood filler to patch any holes left from removal. 

Today's Homeowner Tips

Before unscrewing, I recommend spraying the screws with penetrating oil first to loosen them.


2. Size and Trace the Door

Place the new door on top of the old door exterior side down. Make sure the doors are flush around the edges. Then, use a pencil to trace the hinge locations from the old door to the new one. Make sure to unscrew and remove the old hinges so you can reuse them on the new door.

Remove both doors, then stand the new door on its side with the hinge side facing up. Clamp it to a sawhorse. Trace the exact hinge plate outline when marking hinges. Be as precise as possible to avoid misaligned doors that won't close right. Double-check measurements before cutting the mortises. 


3. Cut the Hinge Mortises

Chiseling out hinge mortises takes precision. I recommend making light passes instead of removing too much wood at once. Work slowly and carefully to make the cleanest cut possible. Periodically test fit the hinge plates to check your progress.

Place the hinges on the door aligned with the pencil lines, similar to how they’ll look installed. Then, trace completely around the plates.

Cut around the tracings 1/8 inch deep with a utility knife. Hold a chisel horizontally, bevel side up on the door side. Push and rock the chisel to remove wood inside the tracings to 1/8 inch depth, tapping the chisel if needed. If the wood splinters or the cut is uneven, use a rasp or file to smooth the mortise edges. Take your time for a perfect fit.


4. Install the New Door

Follow these steps when installing the new door: 

If they don’t fit flat or into the tracings, cut and shave until the plates fit snug and flush.

Use the old screws and a cordless drill.

Then tap the plates into the frame.

Screw the hinges to the jamb and install the doorknob.

Check without sticking or binding before fully tightening the hinge screws. You may need shims to adjust the door position — don’t forget to tighten all screws after adjusting.

Then, inspect periodically for touch-ups or to reapply sealant as needed.


So, Is Replacing an Entry Door Without Replacing the Jamb Worth It?

Replacing the door while keeping the existing jamb is an option to refresh your entryway on a budget. It’s less work and eliminates the cost of removing the entire frame. However, there are some downsides. Fitting a new door into an old jamb requires an eye for detail. The existing size may also limit your design and material options.

The project can work in the right circumstances, though it might not achieve the same quality as replacing the entry door entirely. Before starting this project, I suggest weighing the pros and cons based on your specific needs.


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FAQs About Replacing an Entry Door Without Replacing the Jamb

Can I install a new door without removing the exterior brick molding?

In my experience, you can install a new door without disturbing existing brick molding if the opening is already correctly sized.


How much does it cost to replace just a door?

Expect to pay $200 to $800 for labor and materials. High-end custom wood doors can cost over $1,000.


What tools will I need to replace a door?

The most common tools required when replacing a door are a drill, chisel, hammer, pry bar, tape measure, level, shims, utility knife, screwdriver, sandpaper, wood filler, and sealant.


Can I replace a steel door with fiberglass?

If the fiberglass door matches the existing size and hinge preps, you can replace steel with fiberglass. An added benefit of this swap is that fiberglass is more durable than steel, withstanding extreme heat and cold without warping.


How long does a door replacement take?

With proper prep, an inexperienced DIYer may need three to four hours to replace an entry door. However, the replacement time required varies based on size, modifications, and skill level.


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