How To Install Exterior Door Flashing?

To prepare an exterior door, follow these guidelines: prepping the opening, dry-fitting the door, installing the exterior frame, sealing, casing, and flashing the frame. Door and window flashing is a waterproofing technique that prevents water from seeping inside a home. Builders Erik and Jaime Perkins explain how to build better homes by building better homes by building.

To weatherproof the rough opening before installing a new entry door in an old home, make custom metal flashing. Next, install drainage at the sill and layers of flashing all around the door. Install a drip cap under the house wrap and caulk all critical areas.

Flashing is crucial to a house’s weather and should be followed by following the installation instructions provided by the door manufacturer. The proper method involves making a level cut at the door head, followed by two 45-degree cuts at the corners, creating a head flap that is folded up and out of the way. Mastering these basics will help avoid leaks around doors and keep the installation watertight.

Installing doors, adjusting for plum, level, and square, installing flashing and hardware, and hanging screen doors are essential steps in the process. A dual-sided drip cap at the top and pan at the bottom should be taped to the sheathing. 3M flashing tape is a popular choice for cold weather applications. A self-adhered head flashing strip should be installed across the top of the doorway and over the drip cap vertical leg.

To install the flashing, cut pieces of building paper and self-adhesive flashing in the correct order (bottom, sides, etc.).