Installing Metal Doors by Yourself

Installing Metal Doors: By Yourself or for Money?

This question can be safely categorized as rhetorical, since the labor and resource intensity of such an event is quite high.

Proper installation of any entrance door begins with the removal of existing doors — not only the door leaf but also the entire door frame along with any trim and fittings that may be present.

This is due to the need for additional reinforcement of the door frame and the use of additional fittings for metal doors, which are often heavier than regular ones.

Scheme 2 – Components of a Metal Door Frame

After that, the new door frame is installed. Installation rules may vary depending on wall thickness and requirements for the door itself. Additionally, everything near the door opening might need to be removed and reinstalled afterward by yourself or with the help of the installer. Moreover, you should be ready to perform cosmetic repairs around the door opening.

Box alignment is checked by length, width, and depth to ensure the door hangs properly without skewing (as any door installation manual will tell you).

Tips Before Buying an Entrance Metal Door (Video)

Installing a Steel Door (Video)

In some cases, the door installation process requires that the frame serves not only as a housing for hinges but also becomes an integral part of the door when locked. In such cases, locks are installed simultaneously with the door since it's necessary to visually verify that the latch and handles do not have any obstructions in the future.

Photo 1 – Ensure there are no deviations or misalignments

Installing the door leaf requires checking the tightness of fit and absence of any deviations or misalignments.

It's important to check the door position not only in the closed state but also in partially open and fully open positions. At this point, all latches and locks that come with the door are also tested.

Notably, when installing metal doors (video materials rarely mention this), door strength testing is not performed. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to the integrity of the metal leaf and absence of cracks at weld points.

After the door installation is completed, all gaps and fittings touching the wall must be sealed. The door should be fully ready for use immediately after installation, with the customer being informed of any specific features (if applicable) and general usage guidelines. The customer must personally confirm that all installation work is completed, and if specified in the contract, accept the work and sign an act of acceptance. This also applies to any accompanying items if they exist.

Installing Metal-Plastic Doors Is Not Limited to Balconies

Traditionally, the production and installation of metal-plastic doors are associated with balconies and loggias, rarely with the reliability of entrance to a living space. However, even a Chinese metal-plastic door can be quite satisfactory in terms of reliability and durability. For entrance door groups, it is traditionally said that they use high-strength plastic, reinforced hardware, and fittings according to GOST standards.

Photo 2 – Metal-Plastic Door

If the level of responsibility and protection of a specific room can be satisfied with such a door, then it becomes an excellent alternative, especially when urgent door installation is needed and there's no time for a custom order. Moreover, if the installer from the company where this specific door was purchased has already 'eaten the dog' installing such doors, then the installation will be even faster.

Also, aesthetic considerations play a role in choosing such doors — plastic and factory fittings can be seen as advantages. In some cases, special coating of metal doors may serve as additional insulation, protecting the hardware and door leaf, allowing their use outside conventional operating standards — in high humidity and low temperatures, but this does not apply to standard doors.

Installing Metal Doors: Price and What It May Include

If we accept that the installation of standard metal entrance doors costs about the same as other standard services, meaning the doors are not custom-made, then the cost of installation by skilled professionals will not exceed the average market rate.

In case of additional services or custom-made doors, rates may be agreed upon individually. However, even in such cases, it’s worth checking how much it costs to install a door closer or make a door with a doorbell as part of the package.

In such cases, using terms like 'cheap' or 'inexpensive' is not entirely accurate — promotions, discounts, and free service points can be included with the placed order. Thus, one can literally reduce the cost of purchasing a doorbell or door closer, or even both — it’s essential to stay updated on current market events and not try to buy everything needed separately from the start.

Photo 3 – Door Lock

On the main markets for services related to installing metal (non-security) doors, prices in Moscow and Kyiv (prices listed in rubles and hryvnia respectively) are approximately as follows:

• cost of a metal door with a lock block from 10000/800
• price of installing a door block into an existing opening from 3000/550
• call of a specialist measurer from 500/100

Generally, when talking about minimal prices, one refers to products from China, while well-known brands like Volkhovets, Rus Les, Mario Rioli, Sofia, Radа — always cost more in both price and quality.