[Malcolm]

This is a Thermatru outswing door. I tried following the installation instructions, but I can't get it just right. I have the inactive side plumb on the face and sides of jamb. The door is perfectly plumb. I then moved to the active door to plumb it. If I plumb the active door, it moves the top jamb out of place. The bottom of the active door will hit first. If I try to get the top jamb aligned with the inactive door. It throws the active door out of plumb.

I've checked for square and even tried the cross string test to check plane. I just can't get it lined up perfect without one of the doors being out of plumb.

Any suggestions?

 

[mako1]

You need to plumb the hinge side first and then fasten it with 2 long screws thru the top and bottom hinges into the stud.Then move on from there.You would be more than lucky to get the whole thing plumb without fastening the hinge side.

 

[Malcolm]

You need to plumb the hinge side first and then fasten it with 2 long screws thru the top and bottom hinges into the stud.Then move on from there.You would be more than lucky to get the whole thing plumb without fastening the hinge side.

Both sides have hinges. Therma tru recommends fastening the inactive side first. I just can't seem to get everything aligned on the other side. The only thing I can think of is a twisted top jamb. I'm debating if I should screw the top jamb to the header where the astragal is. I then could try getting the active side lined up. What am I missing here?

 

[mako1]

Somethings out of whack with the house.I've put in a hundred or so of these but hard for me to tell without being there.Strat checking your framing for plumb and level.
This may give you a clue as to what you need to do.Is the threshold level?

 

[firehawkmph]

That's like installing a French door. Start by making sure the threshold is perfectly level. Then I plumb up the inactive side, putting a screw in the top of the jamb and tighten it up with a couple of shims behind it that are not going to be pinned by the screw going through. Next do the other jamb the same way. If this then throws the active door out of plumb, there's something wrong with your wall not being straight. By using screws in the jambs, you can make easy adjustments to push/pull everything till it's right. Take your time and have some patience. Once you have everything to the point where your margins are equal, doors are fitting nicely, put a long (3") screw in each hinge to lock everything in. Make sure there are shims wherever you are putting the screws in so they can't pull the jambs out of shape. Hope this makes sense.
Mike Hawkins:smile:

 

[Malcolm]

The walls are off a bit. They are not plumb. I checked it with the string test and it was in plane. I was planning on just installing the door plumb and dealing with the edge of the door jamb that is proud.

I was kind of doing what you stated Mike. Therma tru says start with the middle screw on the inactive side. Then move to the active side. I can get the inactive perfect, but the active is still off. I tried locking in the inactive side and moving the active side into place. I locked in the 3 hinge points and then put a screw through the top jamb in the center. I was able to get it to an acceptable level. When I have the doors closed, the margins seem to be good. I just can't get it perfect. The only thing that bothers me is that the bottom hits 1/4 prior to the top hitting the weather stripping. When the door is closed, it pulls the door flush. I'm not sure if that is acceptable or I should keep messing with it.

 

[Malcolm]

I was watching a video from Plastpro. The guy was able to correct the issue by adjusting the sill. He kind of did it backwards to what I have. He basically connected the top of the jamb up high. He then tweaked the bottom to the left and right to flush the doors. I can no longer do this as my sill is already sealed in place. I could, however, tweak the top jamb to get the doors to meet flush. I would then fasten them. The only issue with this is that the jambs would slightly be off plumb. His would as well. I'm thinking I'm trying to hard to get it perfectly plumb. There could be deflection in the door or some other issue. What are your thoughts?

 

[firehawkmph]

Walls being out of plumb can drive you nuts, especially with a double door. If the door is not hitting the weatherstripping all at the same time, that would bug me too. Post some pics of what you have. Are these doors steel or fiberglass? If steel, the doors should be straight. I install more fiberglass doors than steel, and I have seen one or two that aren't perfectly straight.
Mike Hawkins:smile: