Trim, Doors & Stairs

Interior & Exterior Door Installations in Houston, TX

Interior and exterior doors hung plumb, sealed against Houston weather and trimmed out by finish carpenters.

Interior and exterior door installations are finish carpentry work, and the details matter. A door that is out of plumb by an eighth of an inch will swing open or closed on its own, rub at the head jamb in humid weather, or leave a gap that lets in light and air. Ace Kustoms installs interior and exterior doors with the same crew that handles our trim work, so jambs are set plumb, reveals are even and casing is fitted tightly.

Common interior projects include replacing hollow-core builder doors with solid-core doors that block sound, adding pocket doors where swing space is tight, and installing French doors or barn doors between rooms. Typical interior doors are 80 inches tall and 28 to 36 inches wide, with taller 8-foot doors common in newer homes with high ceilings. We can match existing door styles or update the whole house at once.

For exterior doors, the main concerns in Houston are water, heat and wind. Entry doors, patio doors and back doors need proper sill pan flashing, sealed jambs and quality weatherstripping. Door work pairs naturally with our custom trim and millwork, since new doors usually need new casing. A free in-home estimate starts with measuring rough openings and checking the framing and sill condition.

Why choose Ace Kustoms for interior & exterior door installations

Plumb, square and level

We shim jambs to plumb and level in both directions, check diagonals for square and set even reveals of about 1/8 inch around the slab. A properly hung door stays where you leave it and closes without slamming or rubbing.

Solid-core upgrades

Replacing hollow-core interior doors with solid-core doors reduces sound transfer between bedrooms, bathrooms and offices, and gives the door a heavier, more substantial feel. Solid-core doors are also less likely to dent or crack.

Flashed exterior installations

Exterior doors get a sloped sill pan or flashing system, sealed side and head flashing tied into the weather barrier, and a properly bedded threshold. Water intrusion at the sill is the most common cause of rotted door frames.

Weathertight sealing

Quality weatherstripping, adjustable thresholds and door sweeps keep out conditioned-air leaks, insects and wind-driven rain. That matters in Houston, where the AC runs most of the year and summer storms push water sideways.

Matched trim and casing

New doors usually need new casing. We match existing trim profiles or upgrade to a new casing style throughout the house, with tight miters and clean caulk joints for a finished look.

Hardware installed right

Hinges, locksets, deadbolts and strike plates are installed with properly sized mortises and long screws into framing for security. We align latch and strike so doors close smoothly and lock without force.

Styles, materials and options

Interior passage doors

Shaker, flat-panel, raised-panel and glass-lite interior doors in solid-core MDF or solid wood. Prehung units suit new openings, while slab-only replacements can work in existing jambs that are in good shape.

Pocket doors

Pocket doors slide into the wall, saving the swing space of a standard door. They work well in bathrooms, pantries and laundry rooms. A quality frame and track are essential to prevent sagging and rubbing.

French and double doors

French doors with glass panels between living areas, offices and dining rooms let light through while separating spaces. Double doors need careful alignment at the meeting stiles and proper astragals or ball catches.

Barn and sliding doors

Sliding barn doors on exposed tracks suit offices, closets and pantries where a swing door would not fit. We mount tracks into solid blocking and can build custom wood door slabs in our shop.

Entry doors

Fiberglass, steel and wood entry doors, single or with sidelites and transoms. Fiberglass resists Houston humidity and dents well. Wood entry doors need a protected overhang and regular finish maintenance.

Patio and back doors

Hinged patio doors and back doors to yards and garages, including fire-rated doors between the garage and house where required. We pay close attention to sill flashing on these doors, which face the most weather.

Painted built-in cabinetry with trim beside a staircase

Ornate white decorative molding on a wall

Living room with paneled wainscoting and twin windows

Our process

Measure and inspection. We measure rough openings and existing jambs, check framing for plumb and rot, look at sill and threshold conditions and note any trim that will need replacement.
Selection. You choose door style, material, glass, swing direction and hardware. We confirm sizes, jamb depths and handing, and order or build doors to fit your openings.
Removal and preparation. We remove existing doors and trim carefully, repair rotted framing or subfloor, and install sill pans and flashing for exterior doors before setting the new unit.
Installation. Doors are set plumb and square, shimmed at hinges and latch, fastened through to framing and insulated around the jamb. Hardware and weatherstripping are installed and adjusted.
Trim and walkthrough. We install casing, caulk and fill, and coordinate painting or staining. We test each door for swing, latching and sealing and walk through the finished work with you.

What affects the cost

Door type and material, such as hollow-core, solid-core, fiberglass, steel or wood, set much of the cost.
Prehung units with new jambs cost more than slab-only replacements but solve frame problems.
Exterior doors with sidelites, transoms or multi-point locks add material and labor.
Rotted framing, sill repair and flashing corrections are common on older exterior doors.
New casing, painting and hardware upgrades add to the project total.

As a general planning range, installing a solid-core prehung interior door in Greater Houston often runs about $450 to $1,100 per door including casing, while exterior entry doors commonly run $1,800 to $6,000 or more depending on material, glass and sidelites. Pricing varies by door, materials and site conditions, so please get a written estimate.

Built for Houston conditions

Houston humidity makes wood doors and jambs swell, which is why doors that close easily in winter can stick in August. We set reveals with seasonal movement in mind and seal all edges of wood doors, including tops and bottoms. Exterior doors face wind-driven rain during storms, so proper sill pans and flashing are essential, and we often find rotted bottoms of jambs on older doors. In coastal areas toward Galveston County and Brazoria County, windstorm-rated doors and installation methods may be required, and we confirm requirements before ordering. Fiberglass entry doors handle heat and humidity well, while dark-colored steel doors in direct western sun can get very hot.

Interior & Exterior Door Installations FAQs

Should I replace the door slab or the whole prehung unit?

If the existing jamb is plumb, sound and the hinges line up, a slab-only replacement can work and keeps existing trim. If the frame is damaged, out of square or the door size is changing, a prehung unit is usually the better solution. We evaluate each opening during the estimate.

Are solid-core doors worth it?

For bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices, yes. Solid-core doors reduce sound transfer noticeably, feel more substantial and resist dents better than hollow-core doors. Many homeowners upgrade the doors throughout the house at once for a consistent feel. Hardware can be upgraded at the same time.

Why does my exterior door frame rot at the bottom?

Usually because water gets behind the threshold or into the bottom of the jamb, often from missing sill flashing, failed caulk or splash from a patio. We repair the rot, install a sill pan and flashing and use rot-resistant jamb materials to prevent recurrence.

Do I need a windstorm-rated door?

Homes in designated coastal areas, including parts of Galveston County and Brazoria County, may need windstorm-rated doors and specific installation methods. Requirements depend on location and permit conditions. We confirm what applies to your home before ordering a door. Permits may apply as well.

Can you install a pocket door in an existing wall?

Often, yes, if the wall is not load-bearing and does not contain plumbing, ductwork or significant wiring. Installing a pocket door requires opening the wall, installing a pocket frame, then patching drywall and trim. We check the wall before recommending it.

How long does door installation take?

Interior doors usually take two to four hours each, including trim. Exterior doors typically take most of a day, longer if framing repair is needed. Special-order doors may take several weeks to arrive. Call (281) 660-3903 to schedule your free in-home estimate.

Related services

Trim, Doors & StairsCustom Trim & Millwork InstallationCrown molding, baseboards, door and window casing, wainscoting, board and batten, beams and coffered ceilings, installed by our own finish carpentry crew.

Trim, Doors & StairsCustom Stair InstallationsHardwood stair treads and risers, carpet-to-wood conversions, stair rebuilds and finishing details, fitted and installed by our own licensed crew.

Trim, Doors & StairsHandrail & Baluster InstallationsWood, iron and glass stair railings with new handrails, balusters and newel posts, installed solid and to code by our own licensed crew.

Storage & OrganizationCustom Closet SolutionsCustom walk-in and reach-in closets with double hanging, drawers, shoe walls and islands, built from plywood and hardwood in our Houston shop.

Interior & Exterior Door Installations near you

We build and install interior & exterior door installations throughout Greater Houston. Find your community:

Helpful guides

Trim & Millwork · 8 min read