Door How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our door step-by-step tips & ideas.

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How To Install a Shower Door

Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to install a framed glass shower door on your own.
Person cutting a screen to size to replace a ripped screen door.

How To Fix a Screen Door

If the screen in your sliding door has a hole, it’s time to repair it. Keep the insects out with a few simple tools and some new screening.
Photo of Tom Silva during the installation process for a prehung door

How To Install a Prehung Door

Follow this guide for step-by-step instructions for DIYers on how to properly install a prehung door in your home.
S22 E10: Nathan Gilbert converts a window into a sliding patio door
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How to Turn a Window Into a Door

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a pair of homeowners provide safe passage to the backyard for their children by replacing a double window with a sliding patio door and building a beautiful, low-maintenance deck.
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How To Weatherstrip a Wood Door and Lower Energy Bills

Weatherstripping a wood door is a valuable DIY project that can improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort. Learn how to do it in our step-by-step guide.
Two men working on replacing a door lock.
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How To Replace a Door Lock in 8 Simple to Follow Steps

Cylindrical door locks are a far cry from the complicated mortise locks of old. Here’s how to replace one.
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A Guide to Soundproofing a Room from Floor to Ceiling

Learn how to soundproof a room from floor to ceiling using both simple and advanced methods for windows, walls, doors, and more.
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How To Identify and Repair Rotting Wood

Read our step-by-step instructions on identifying and repairing rotting wood and learn how to keep your home’s wood components in top shape.
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How To Install an Automatic Door Closer

Installing an automatic door closer allows for increased safety, efficiency, and convenience. This guide shows how to DIY one for your home.
Three people working on restoring an antique door.
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How To Restore an Antique Door With Simple to Follow Steps

Ask This Old House General Contractor Tom Silva helps two homeowners meticulously restore their original, 1918 front door.
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DIY Ways To Soundproof a Door

How can you stop noise from outside a room? There are a few easy ways to soundproof a door, and combining methods yields the best results.
Person rekeying a lock on the door of a residential home

How To Rekey a Lock: A Comprehensive Guide

To improve your home’s security, you can rekey your locks. Read our guide on how to rekey a lock and when it's best to hire a professional.
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How to Build and Hang a Custom Screen Door

Ask This Old House general contractor, Tom Silva, helps a homeowner build a custom screen door to fit her unique front entryway.
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How To Install Door Trim

Whether you’re installing a new door or changing your home's style, read on to learn how to trim a door yourself.
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How to Replace Full Mortise Door Hardware

Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner to replace his traditional mortise hardware with hardware that locks.
A man applying insulation to the side of a doorway.
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How to Weatherstrip a Door to Prevent Any Air Leaks

Weatherstripping eliminates pesky door air leaks and improves energy efficiency. Learn how to install it from This Old House's Tom Silva.
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How To Repair Your Sliding Door

Read these 8 steps for how to repair your broken sliding door.
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How to Get a Sliding Screen Door Back on Track

It’s one of life’s little annoyances: the balky screened patio door that catches and sticks. Good news: The fix is a cinch
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How To Paint a Colorful Door Accent

Learn how to a bedroom door into a colorful, creative door accent and a standout piece of decor in this helpful guide.
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How to Swap the Swing of an Entry Door

If you want to reverse your door's swing, check out our guide and video to learn how to tackle this DIY project.
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How to Tightly Fit an Antique Door

This Old House general contractor, Tom Silva, uses multiple techniques to make an antique, drafty door weathertight. Learn more here.
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How To Paint an Exterior Metal Door

This Old House painter, Mauro Henrique, teaches a homeowner how to paint a metal front entry door properly.
Dog entering the laundry room through the doggy door.

How To Install a Dog Door

Give your pet the freedom to come and go whenever it wishes by installing a dog door kit.
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How To Create a Dutch Door

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva converts a regular door into a Dutch door.
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How To Install a Storm Door with a Dog Door

Watch as Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a storm door with her active dog in mind.
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How To Bore for a New Door Knob

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva provides advice on how to bore for a new door knob in this article and video.
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How to Install a Secret Door

Tom Silva installs a bookcase that also serves as a door, concealing the entrance to a closet. He also demonstrates how to use a "scribe" to cut filler strips for an uneven floor.
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How to Install a Hidden Door/Bookshelf

Follow along with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva as he installs a bookshelf that doubles as a door.
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How to Install a Pre-Hung Interior Door Step by Step

Learn how to install a pre-hung interior door with expert tips from This Old House. Follow our step-by-step guide to get the job done right.
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How to Install a Solid-Wood Exterior Door

When you're ready to replace your exterior door, check out our video to learn how to install a solid wood door with energy efficiency in mind.
A man using a drill to install bulkhead doors.
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How to Replace Basement Bulkhead Doors

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a new pair of basement bulkhead doors
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What's Their Story? Windowed Cottage Doors

Add period flair designed for the working class to your curb appeal
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How to Replace Sidelights on a Front Door

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva replaces a pair of sidelights on a front door with new, insulated ones