Installation Guide
EXTERIOR DOOR 
INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS AND 
WARRANTY
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing a Steves & Sons Exterior Door. This document covers 
recommended installation for our basic door congurations: Single prehung, 
prehung with sidelites, double prehung, center hinge and french patio doors.
Please read instructions completely prior to installation of door. The instructions 
work with most applications when installing our doors. Any changes made to 
installation process is done at installers risk and may void warranty. A copy of 
the installation instructions should be provided to home owner and remain on 
site for nal building code inspection.
Not all door types can be installed in all locations. We recommend you contact 
building code compliance in your area prior to installation to verify product 
meets code for your application and location.
Coastal areas may require different products and additional anchoring 
methods. Information on coastal products and installation requirements can 
be located at www.tdi.texas.gov or www.oridabuilding.org
•  Measure height of rough opening on both sides. We recommend the 
opening be 1/2” taller than door unit. (Figure A)
•  Measure width of rough opening at top, center and bottom. We 
recommend opening be 1” wider than door unit. (Figure A)
•  Verify your rough opening is square. This can be done by measuring 
diagonally from corner to corner. Maximum allowable deviation should 
not exceed 1/4”.
•  Verify rough opening is level and plumb. (Figure B)
•  Verify threshold is level and clear of debris.
•  Remove shrink wrapping from door and inspect for cosmetic or freight 
damages. Verify that you received the correct product, style, size, 
color, handing and swing. If you have any concerns with the product 
you received DO NOT INSTALL. Contact point of purchase to discuss 
options or contact Steves & Sons, Inc. at 1-800-617-8586
•  We recommend a minimum of 2 people when removing door from 
pallet and installing.
•  Follow instructions attached to pallet to remove door. Remove all 
shipping materials such as corner, hinge, and sill protectors. Select 
doors have wood protector on bottom of sill which must be removed.
•  Apply 3 continuous 3/8” beads of silicone caulk across the sill of the 
opening. (Figure B)
•  If installing on wood suboor, we recommend using a sill pan prior to 
installing door unit.
Inspect Rough Opening
Remove Door from Pallet
Prepare Rough Opening for Door Unit
Figure A Figure B
1
2
3
•  Work from hinge side using a 4-foot level, plumb the side of frame and 
tighten the 2-1/2” trim screws.
•  Doors with sidelites and double doors, plumb and tighten screws on 
the hinge side of door unit rst. (Figure D)
Plumb and Fasten Hinge Jamb
Single Door Unit Single Door with
Sidelites Unit
Double Door 
Unit
•  Work from lockset side using a 4-foot level plumb and square the 
lockset side of door and check weather-strip margins for consistent 
contact to door slab.
•  Shim the lockset jamb and secure with 2-1/2” trim screws.
•  Once door is plumb, level, and secured in opening, make sure the gap 
between frame and door viewed from inside is consistent from top to 
bottom of door
• Doors with sidelites shim above mull post and install screws behind 
weatherstrip. (Figure E)
• Patio and Center Hinge doors shim at astragal/mull and install 
screws behind weatherstrip. (Figure E)
• Verify door with astragal is plumb and square in the opening. 
Drill hole in header & sill for ush bolt.
Plumb and Fasten Lockset Jamb
Installing Door Unit
Figure D
4
5
6
astragal
Figure E
Single Door Unit
Single Door with
Sidelites Unit
Double Door Unit
•  This is a basic list of tools to install unit. All may not be required, conversely 
others may be needed for specialty or custom applications
•  Note all material used for installation must be followed in accordance with 
manufacturer’s instructions. Failure to do so may void the warranty.
•  Safety glasses, Safety mask, caulking gun, caulking exterior/interior paint 
grade, 24” and 48” level, drill gun with multiple drill bits and screw bits, 
framers Hammer, screw driver, berglass or low expansion window/door 
foam insulation, composite or wood shims, 2 ½” screws, nishing nails 
designed for exterior/ interior trim, framing square, tape measure, utility 
knife, punch, wood saw putty knife pry bar Handle set and deadbolt
•  Supplied: Insulation wedge pads instruction manual, 3” screws for 
slab re-enforcement.
Required Tools & Hardware
•  Detach and remove the existing unit. Make sure the structure frame is clear 
of debris such as nails, screws, caulking berglass from prior installation.
•  It is recommended to wear a safety mask and gloves when removing and 
disposing of material.
•  Check local municipality to make sure you are in accordance with disposal 
ordinances
•  If dealing with lead based product please consult www.epa.gov/lead for 
proper methods of disposal.
Removal & Disposal of replaced door unit and material
Figure C
•  With top edge of door tilted away from 
opening, place bottom of door in center of 
opening onto caulk. Then tilt top of door into 
opening. (Figure C)
•  Place shims behind each hinge and plumb 
hinge jamb, then secure 2-1/2” trim screws 
through each hinge and shims. If unit 
includes 2 sidelites, place shims on outside 
of sidelite on hinge side of unit.
•  DO NOT drive screws completely in 
because you may need to adjust to plumb 
and square door.
For safety reasons, installing a door unit 
requires two people.



