Installing a Mobile Home Door

Installing a mobile home door is easy, and the job can be completed in less than an hour.  This set of instructions will take you through the 3 easy steps. 

Before we begin though, there are a few things we need to talk about.  When it comes to mobile home doors there are 15 standard sizes.  It is easy to mess up and get the wrong size, click on this link to find out how to measure  www.themobilehomepartsplace.com/Door.php

Now that we know what size door you have, let’s talk tools.  You will need the following: 

Screw gun with a quarter inch drive, and a #2 phillips bit

Putty knife

Level

Shims (for inswing doors)

Step 1 Remove old door

With your Qtr inch drive chucked in the gun, remove all of the screws on the outside of the door.  If your door had a safety chain in place remove it as well.  Also, check to make sure that the door does not have any other screws going through the frame into the structure of the house (ex. Around the striker plate for the locks).  Next, take your putty knife to the outside lip of the frame.  There should be some sort of sealant between the house and the frame of the door, this seal will need to be cut.  Once that is done start at one corner of the door from the inside, and push toward the outside.  It is best to have someone else on the outside to help remove the door.  After the door is removed, take your putty knife and finish cleaning up the putty that was left behind.  Sweep and clean up the hole that the door was in.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Mobile home doors should not be opened until you have placed at least one screw into each corner.  These door units come from the factory “square”.  Securing them before opening will ensure that they stay that way.

Step 2 Installing the new door

Take your new door, and “dry fit” it with the opening in your home.  The door should fit in the hole and cover all edges of the hole.  If everything seems right it is time to apply the new sealant.  Take the door back out of the hole and apply either putty tape, or silicone.  The sealant will need to applied to the house side of the frame. Also, your seal should be placed so that when the screws are sent through the frame that they will also go through the sealant.  After you have properly placed the seal, slide the door back into the frame.  Run a screw into each corner.  Now you can open the door.  At this point check the door to see if it is plumb and level.  On  house type units (doors that include a storm door) you  should use shims where needed.  If everything is plumb and level continue to install the screws around the frame.  Open and close the door to see if it will swing and shut smoothly.

Step 3 Finishing touches

Read and follow the instructions that came with your new lock set.  Next, look toward the top of the door, there should be a small sticker indicating the safety chain bracket position.  Install the bracket with provided screws being careful to not “strip” the holes by over tightening. 

That’s it.  If you should run into a problem, or have a question about these instructions, please give us a call at 800-381-5675.