Therma-Tru Doors Installation - Manual (Page 12)

Installation
1.12 2014 SITE 1
Step 2 cont.: Check and Prepare Opening.
Check to be sure the framing walls around the
opening are in the same plane. Do this by
performing a “string test” for plumb.
String Test for Plumb: Attach a string diagonally
across the opening from the outside, as shown. The
string(s) should gently touch in the center, if not the
opening is “out of plumb” by twice that distance
and needs to be corrected. Flip the string over itself
to check both planes. Fix any problems now.
*An “out of plumb” condition is one of the most
common reasons door units leak air and water.
Step 3: Caulk the Sub Floor.
On the sub floor at opening, place 3 very large beads
of sealant. Run beads full width of the opening.
Use Only Elastomeric or Polyurethane sealant.
Use an Entire Tube when Caulking along the Sub
Floor.
Step 3A: Installation with a Sill Pan.
Place the right and left sill pan ends onto the caulk beads and tightly against
the side of the opening.
Then, liberally coat the overlapped areas and the recessed areas of the pieces
with the PVC cement provided. Place center section(s) in position and hold
pieces together long enough to ensure a good bond.
For added protection, spread a bead of caulk along the glue joints and to help
prevent air infiltration, run a bead of caulk along the lower interior edge of the
sill pan. Additional caulking could affect the performance of the sill pan.
Do Not Caulk the bottom of the Sill when using a sill Pan.
Step 3B: Installation without a Sill Pan.
Lay the door unit on edge or face so
that the bottom surface of the sill
can be caulked. Place very large
beads of caulk across the full width
of the sill. Additionally, place beads
of caulk along the junction of the
sill and the jamb and on the bottom
surface of the jambs and
brickmould.
Note: If a sill extender is used, place a large bead of caulk at the junction of
the extender and the sill approach.
Step 3 cont.: Caulking Back side of Brickmould.
Important!
Apply sealant to the back side of
brickmould around the entire
perimeter of the door unit. A 1/2 –
5/8 inch bead of Elastomeric or
Polyurethane caulk is essential.
Step 4: Place Unit in Opening and Temporarily Fasten.
Lift the unit up. With top edge
tilted away from opening,
center the unit and place sill
down onto sill pan or caulk
beads and tilt into opening. For
all door unit configurations,
note the hinge locations and
mark those locations on the
jamb faces near the door
surfaces. Pre-drill 1/8 inch
diameter holes at these
locations and through the head
jamb adjacent to the mullions,
over the active sidelites. A
counter sink bit will help to
conceal the screw heads.
Install screws in the center pre-
drilled hole locations on both jambs to temporarily secure the unit in the
place. Do not drive screws completely in at this time. Use #8 X 2-1/2 inch or 3
inch exterior grade screws.
Do Not Fasten through the Brickmould.
Step 5: Plumb and Fasten Side Head Mull Post .
Use a 6 foot level and plumb the
hinge side mullion both ways
(right to left and inside to
outside).
Place a screw through the pre-
drilled hole in the head jamb at
the hinge side mullion.
Do not drive the screw
completely in at this time.
Shim directly over hinge side mull
post. Using a 6 foot level, recheck
hinge mull post to ensure it is
plumb and straight. Finish driving
screw tight.
Note: When installing a French door with active sidelites, first set the hinge
mullion for the passive door. For details on properly setting the astragal slide
bolt hole locations, follow the instructions in the astragal site pack.
Pre-Hung Venting Unit Installation