Before and after in Garner: the old frame and brick mold had rotted and the paint was peeling on the latch side, so we replaced the full door unit, including new brick mold and threshold.
Most front doors in Clayton can be repaired if the door and frame are solid, but a door that's warped, rotted at the bottom or no longer seals is usually worth replacing. Johnston County's weather is hard on entry doors: afternoon sun on west-facing entries, humid summers that swell wood, and winter wind that finds every gap. Our door repair and installation team in Clayton does both, from downtown Clayton to Flowers Plantation, Riverwood, Garner and Smithfield. Here's how to decide, and what a replacement involves.
When should you replace a front door instead of repairing it?
Replace a front door when the problem is the door or frame itself; repair it when the problem is hardware or seals. Worn weatherstripping, a sagging hinge or a strike plate that's out of line are usually one-visit fixes, which our door repair and weatherstripping tips cover. Replacement makes sense when:
- The bottom of the door or the frame is soft, cracked or rotting
- The door is warped and won't seal even with new weatherstripping
- Glass in a decorative panel is cracked or fogged between the panes
- The lock no longer lines up no matter how the hinges are adjusted
- You want better security, efficiency or curb appeal before selling
This year alone, our Clayton-area crews have completed more than 60 door jobs, about one to two a week. Here’s what we’ve found: roughly 3 in 4 were fixed with adjustments, weatherstripping, hardware or trim repairs, and only about 1 in 10 needed a new door.
How do you measure a front door for replacement?
Measure the existing door's width, height and thickness, then note the jamb depth and which side the hinges are on. Most residential front doors are 36 inches wide, 80 inches tall and 1¾ inches thick, but older and custom homes vary.
What to write down
- Door width and height: measure in at least two places, since a frame that has shifted won't be square
- Door thickness: most exterior doors are 1¾ inches
- Jamb depth: the thickness of the wall the frame sits in
- Swing: which side the hinges are on, and whether the door opens in or out
We take our own measurements before ordering or shopping, so treat yours as a starting point.
Can you replace just the door and keep the old frame?
It's possible, but based on our experience, we replace the full door unit. New exterior doors come as a single unit, already hung in their own frame with a matching threshold and weatherstripping. Installing the whole unit lets us properly seal the door, shim it, and make sure it's flush, square and properly insulated when it goes in.
Swapping only the door panel into an old frame means fitting new hardware to a frame that may have shifted, swelled or started to rot. In Johnston County's humidity, that's often where drafts, sticking and water damage come back. Replacing the full unit also replaces the threshold and the bottom of the frame, which is where rain and moisture do the most damage.
"Chandler and Travis came out to replace 2 sets of sliding glass doors with new ones that feature built in blinds. They arrived at the set time and did a most professional and excellent job. They made sure everything was exactly as it should be and that I was satisfied."
— Sherry H., Clayton, Google review
How long does front door replacement take?
Most front door replacements take most of a day. The old door and frame come out and the opening is checked for rot. The new unit is set, leveled, shimmed and fastened, the threshold is sealed, and the lock and handle are installed. Last, the door is adjusted so it latches cleanly against the weatherstripping.
What can add time
Rotted framing, a soft subfloor at the threshold, or damaged trim around the opening. If any of those turn up, our carpentry and trim repair crew handles it in the same project.
What affects the cost of replacing a front door?
We bill by time and materials, so we don't publish a set price. These are the things that move the total:
- The door's size and style, including glass or sidelights
- Any rot repair in the frame or subfloor
- Trim and painting afterward
- Add-ons such as a storm door or new lockset
Projects of $2,000 or more may qualify for 0% financing for 6 months, subject to approval. Call and describe your door, and we'll talk through the scope.
Who will come to your home?
Every Ace Handyman Services craftsman is a background-checked, insured W-2 employee (not a subcontractor). Before your appointment you'll get an on-my-way text with your craftsman's name and photo, and the work is backed by our one-year workmanship warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace just the front door and keep the frame?
It's possible, but based on our experience, we replace the full door unit. New exterior doors come as a single unit with their own frame, threshold and weatherstripping, which lets us properly seal, shim and insulate the door and make sure it's flush and square on install.
How do I know if my front door frame is rotted?
Press a screwdriver into the bottom of the jamb and the brick mold near the threshold. Wood that's soft, crumbling or dark is rotting. Peeling paint, gaps at the threshold and a door that suddenly drags are other signs. Rot often starts where water sits at the bottom corners.
Do you install storm doors with a new front door?
Yes. A storm door can go in on the same visit as the new front door, once the entry door is set and adjusted. It adds a second layer against wind and rain, and helps protect the new door's finish from afternoon sun on west-facing entries.
"Brad installed a new storm door for me and did a great job"
— Broderick L., Clayton, Google review
Will replacing my front door damage the siding, brick or trim around it?
Usually not much. Taking out the old frame can disturb the exterior trim and the edge of the siding or brick mold around the opening. We replace or repair that trim as part of the job and seal it so water can't get behind it. If we find rotted siding next to the door, we'll show you before fixing it.
Will the drywall inside need repair after a door replacement?
Sometimes. Removing the old frame can crack or pull drywall at the edges of the opening, especially in older homes. We patch and finish those edges and install new interior trim, so the wall around the new door looks clean. Bigger damage, like old water stains or soft drywall, gets repaired before the trim goes on.
Do you paint or stain a new front door?
Yes. Many new doors arrive primed and need finish coats, and the new trim needs painting to match. We can paint or stain the door and trim on the same project, so the entry is finished when we leave. A painted finish also protects the door from Johnston County's sun and humidity.
Ready for a new front door?
Call Ace Handyman Services Clayton at (919) 296-3748 to talk through your front door replacement.