The Installer Is Here

[cabinetman]

Our hurricane approved door is finally getting installed. The day didn't start out good, as it was pouring down rain, and it's Friday the 13th to boot. I must say the installer is very good, was 30 minutes early and is very organized. This is his second trip here. His first one a couple of weeks ago was with the correct door, but the wrong jamb. We ordered a non-wood jamb (PVC).

It all seems to be going well. He isn't very sociable (all work). So, to take a picture I had to sneak my laptop to the kitchen and click one with my web cam.
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[JimD]

The door looks nice. I've hung one exterior and many interior doors. Pre-hung doors are the easiest. But for it to be a one person job, that one person has to be reasonable sized - looks like your installer is. Mortising for the hinges is really kind of fun to me but I can see pre-hung make more sense. They go a lot quicker. Hopefully the installer will not run into too many issues and it will go well.

If he doesn't put low expansion foam around the jamb, I would ask him to leave the trim off, foam it, and then install the trim yourself. I would also try to be sure he puts at least one screw of each hinge into the 2X framing member not just the jamb. It takes a much longer screw to do this. If he doesn't, I would do that too.

Jim

[toolguy1000]

the best shirt laundry mechanic i have is like that. sizes up the problem, goes to his truck for the part(s) and EXACTLY the correct tools, and only those tools, to effect the repair. i respect that. not looking, as i'm sure you're not, to have a personal relatonship. come in, do your job correctly and leave. those are my favorite mechanics.

hope this is your experience with your door installation.

[cabinetman]

The door looks nice. I've hung one exterior and many interior doors. Pre-hung doors are the easiest. But for it to be a one person job, that one person has to be reasonable sized - looks like your installer is. Mortising for the hinges is really kind of fun to me but I can see pre-hung make more sense. They go a lot quicker. Hopefully the installer will not run into too many issues and it will go well.

If he doesn't put low expansion foam around the jamb, I would ask him to leave the trim off, foam it, and then install the trim yourself. I would also try to be sure he puts at least one screw of each hinge into the 2X framing member not just the jamb. It takes a much longer screw to do this. If he doesn't, I would do that too.

Jim

Thanks, the door does look nice. He did a great job. He brought a 10" DeWalt CMS, and a DeWalt jobsite saw. Not my style of working, but he worked with both tools on the patio floor. I offered a table, or saw horses, and he said no thanks. It's rough working in a squat or on the knees. I did that 30 years ago until I wised up.

I missed what he used in the gaps, but he did have to run long Tapcons through the jamb, into the block wall, one in each hinge.

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[cabinetman]

the best shirt laundry mechanic i have is like that. sizes up the problem, goes to his truck for the part(s) and EXACTLY the correct tools, and only those tools, to effect the repair. i respect that. not looking, as i'm sure you're not, to have a personal relatonship. come in, do your job correctly and leave. those are my favorite mechanics.

hope this is your experience with your door installation.

Yes it was. I get distracted by chatty clients, so I appreciate his work ethic. I remember times installing kitchens when I would line up my tools blocking the doorways.

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[chopnhack]

Looks good Cman! The installer is even illusive in your sneaked photo shot! You gotta respect that, at least he is trying to hustle and get more installs done per day. It's probably how he is paid.

[cabinetman]

Looks good Cman! The installer is even illusive in your sneaked photo shot! You gotta respect that, at least he is trying to hustle and get more installs done per day. It's probably how he is paid.

When he arrived...8:10AM, he said it would take about 4 hours. By the time he unloaded, did the work, cleaned up (and by the way took all the sawdust and garbage with him), packed up, it was noon.

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[chopnhack]

Good hustle! Then again he was working solo so.... awesome!