A security door is a great way to give you some added peace of mind regarding the safety of your home. A conspicuous security door fitted to the exterior of your main door will often be enough to put potential intruders off. If you have purchased a new security door with this in mind, this article looks at the process of installing it as part of a DIY project.
Safety
It is worth bearing in mind that the security screens and doors are heavy to lift. As you will be moving the door to get measurements during this job, it is a good idea to get a friend or a family member to assist you during the project. It won't take up too much of their time and will help you to avoid any accidents or injuries.
Begin Assembling The Handles
Many security doors come with handles and locks that need to be assembled. If this is the case, start by fitting the handle and lock parts together. This is done slightly differently from brand to brand, so make use of the instructions to help you here. Next, use the screws provided to fix on the hinges to the door.
Measure The Door
You should get a couple (sometimes three) wedges with the door; these are for propping the door up in the frame as you take measurements. Have your assistant help you lift up the door and into the frame. Then, use the wedges to support the door; place one wedge at either end underneath the door. Take a tape measure and measure so that there is a gap of around three millimeters between the perimeter of the door and the frame. This should give you enough room to open and close the door without being impeded. Use a pencil to mark the area on the frame where the hinges of the door will go. You can now remove the door from the frame and drill pilot holes in the frame for the hinges.
Fit The Hinges
Next, lift the door back into place and drill in one screw into the top hinge and one screw into the bottom hinge. This should allow you to see how the door will hang. Ensure that the door swings freely. Then, screw the remaining hinge screws into place.
Install the Striker Plate
To do this, close the door and then mark the location of the top latch. Do the same for the bottom of the latch. Grab the striker plate and fit it into your markings. Then mark where the screws and holes go for striker plate and use a drill to make the hole. You can also use a chisel to make the hole. Once done, screw the striker plate into position.
You can now open, close and test the lock on your new security door. For more information on security doors, contact a company like Stan Bond Security.
