Can A Steel Outside Door Be Chopped Down?

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to cut down a steel exterior door to a different size using a Ryobi cut off saw. The process involves removing the door from its hinges, driving a screwdriver up, and removing the screws from the door hinges. The best way to cut the door to fit your space is to work with a carpenter and former senior editor, Andy Engel.

To add a window or pet door, you need different tools and techniques than cutting a wood door. Open the door, remove the screws from the door hinges, remove the head jamb, remove weather stripping, and cut the sides to the size you need. Put the jamb together and weather stripping back. Use a circular saw with the blade depth set to the thickness of the door stop, make a single cut through your marks.

Yes, you can cut off the bottom of a metal door. There are many different options, such as a carbide blade or abrasive wheel on a circular saw or a Sawzall with a guide clamped to the door. The sheet metal skin is quite thin, so a circular saw with a carbide tipped blade is a good option. Steel doors are just a steel skin on the outside, so trimming one would weaken the structure and leave an opening for water intrusion. Cutting down a metal-clad exterior door is definitely doable, but you’ll need the right tools and a bit of precision.