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DonC DonC is offline
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Default Adding window to exterior door???


"Jim Sullivan" wrote in message
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"aemeijers" wrote in message
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"DonC" wrote in message
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Hi all,

We'd like to add a window to our existing exterior metal door. It seems
simple enough; such doors at Home Depot or Lowes appear to have been cut
and a window has been added. Our previous door had such a window so we
know it's doable.

Anyhow, where can I purchase an insert widow to add to our door? We'd
love it to be one with an internal mini-blind but that's not a
requirement.

Counting the labor (unless you have the tools and skill set yourself),
probably cheaper to buy a new door with the light (window) already in it.
How old is your house? Can you determine the brand of the door, like from
the hinges or data plate or threshold? If you call around, and maybe go
to a real door supply house (vs. the Borg), you may get lucky and find
one where all you have to do is swap the door panel and reuse the old
frame. To buy the window seperately, you will probably have to order a
replacement window through a door specialist, or maybe a glass company.
Make sure it is tempered glass- a door slammed by wind or kids or
whoever, generates a lot of G forces.

Now if you do want to do it yourself- don't try to do it on the hinges.
Take it down, and cover the opening with wood or plastic. Put the door on
sawhorses, and do your marking, measuring, and cutting there. If you have
never done this before, recommend practicing with sheets of cardboard
till you have an exact template of what the hole needs to look like. (No
idea if the windows come with a layout sheet.) Measure 3 times before you
drill and cut, and take care not to warp the door or leave ripply edges
by cutting too fast and scorching the metal- it is suprisingly thin. When
you put it together, make sure to use the provided gaskets and/or the
right flavor of caulking. Local window company may be willing to do the
install on a carried-in door, if you order the window through them.


Not sure where to get them, but we had exactly that done to our house in
Toronto 15 years ago. Guy who installed it showed up with a zipgun, cut
out the hole without removing the door, put in the insert and was gone in
15 minutes. It is a measure twice, cut one situation, but not as hard as
some have made it out to be.

-jim
seattlecurlerATcomcast.net


Jim,

That's exactly my take on the project. It's not that big a deal. I have the
skills, tools and experiences over more decades than I'd like to admit : ).
("zipgun" = "Sawzall", right? : ) I just need some leads regarding where to
find a window kit.

And yes I could replace the entire door but the original installation is a
custom job -- not a simple prehung door.

Don