Door Installation and Replacement in Des Moines
A front door that sticks, a patio slider that leaks air or a storm door that will not latch makes the whole house feel worn out. We install entry doors, patio doors and storm doors across the Des Moines area.
Doors, Start to Finish
Doors take more abuse than any other part of the outside of a house. They get slammed, kicked shut with a full laundry basket and hit by wind-driven snow all winter. Over time the frame settles, the weatherstrip flattens, the threshold rots and daylight shows around the edges. That means drafts, a lock that only works if you lift the handle, and water creeping in at the sill after a storm.
We replace entry doors, patio doors and storm doors. Often the right answer is a prehung door, which comes already hung in a new frame, so we can fix a rotted jamb or sill at the same time. We remove the old unit, check the rough opening and the subfloor, set the new door plumb and square, shim and fasten it, then flash, seal and trim it so it closes tight on all sides. Hardware and storm doors go on last.
You are left with a door that swings easily, latches on the first try and keeps the wind outside. Luke can talk through steel and fiberglass entry doors, sliding and hinged patio doors, and storm door styles at your free estimate. If you are also thinking about windows, our window installation page covers that side, and one crew can handle both.
What our door installs include
- Entry, patio and storm door options
- Old door, frame and threshold removal
- Rotted jamb or sill repaired first
- Door set plumb, square and shimmed
- Flashing, sealant and weatherstrip all around
- Hardware, trim and storm door finish work
Entry doors: steel or fiberglass
Steel entry doors are strong and secure, and they hold up well for the money. They can dent, though, and a dent is hard to hide. Fiberglass doors resist dents, will not rot, and can be finished smooth or with a wood-grain texture that takes stain. Both come with insulated cores and many glass and sidelight options. ENERGY STAR's current criteria call for a U-factor of 0.17 or lower on an opaque door, so check the label if efficiency matters to you. Our entry door cost guide compares the numbers.
Patio doors: sliding or hinged
A sliding patio door glides on a track and takes no swing space, which suits a deck or a tight dining area. A hinged patio door, often called a French door, swings open for a wider opening and a more traditional look. Either way, the threshold has to be set level and flashed, because a patio door sits low where snow piles up and rain splashes off the deck. Glass makes up most of a patio door, and ENERGY STAR sets a U-factor of 0.26 or lower for doors more than half glass in our zone.
Storm doors for Iowa wind and snow
A storm door adds a second layer in front of your entry door. It blocks wind-driven snow and rain, protects the finish on the main door, and lets you open the house to a breeze through a screen in summer. Full-view storm doors are mostly glass and show off the front door behind them. Retractable screen styles hide the screen until you pull it down. Angi puts the typical life of a storm door at about 25 years. We set them square so the closer works and the latch catches every time.
Permits and what to check first
The City of Des Moines minor repair policy exempts replacing a non-fire-rated door and frame with one of the same swing and size, and it notes the work still has to meet current code. Changing the size of an opening, adding a new door or cutting into a wall is a different job, and suburbs set their own rules, so check with your city before work starts. Also know that the federal 25C credit no longer applies to doors placed in service after December 31, 2025. Our tax credit guide explains.
Doors Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
Should I choose a steel or fiberglass front door in Iowa?
Both work well here. Steel is strong and secure but can dent, and dents are hard to repair. Fiberglass resists dents, does not rot, and can take a wood-grain stain finish. Both come with insulated cores. Check the U-factor on the label and think about how much sun and weather the door takes. Luke can walk you through options at the estimate.
What is a prehung door and do I need one?
A prehung door comes already mounted in its own frame with hinges and a threshold. It is the usual choice when the old frame is worn, out of square or rotted at the sill, because the whole unit gets replaced together. If your frame is solid and square, a slab door that fits the existing frame may work. We check the frame before recommending either.
Is a storm door worth adding in front of my entry door?
For many Iowa homes, yes. A storm door blocks wind-driven snow and rain, protects the finish on your entry door and gives you a screened opening in summer. Angi puts the typical life of a storm door at about 25 years. Full-view and retractable screen styles are both popular. Ask Luke which fits your door and how much sun it gets.
Can you replace a drafty sliding patio door?
Yes. Drafty sliders usually have worn weatherstrip, a failed glass seal, a bent track or a threshold that was never flashed or leveled. We remove the old unit, check the opening and subfloor for water damage, set the new door level and seal it all around. If you want to switch to a hinged patio door instead, that is an option too.
Who installs replacement doors in Des Moines?
Flow Right installs entry, patio and storm doors across Des Moines and Central Iowa from our shop in Mitchellville. We handle the trim and exterior details ourselves. See our page on door replacement in Des Moines, or call or text (515) 901-3646 for a free estimate.
How a Job Runs
Call or Text
Overflowing gutters, tired siding, a drafty window or an addition you have been planning. Tell us what is going on.
Free Estimate
Luke comes out, looks at the house, measures, and walks you through your options in plain words.
A Clear Plan
You get a written estimate and a straight recommendation. No pressure and no runaround.
Install Day
Our crew does the work and keeps the job site clean while we are there.
Walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and make sure everything is right before we leave.
Doors Near You
Our shop is in Mitchellville. Pick your town, or call and ask if we cover it.
Doors pages for your town
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Seamless 5 and 6 inch gutters formed on site, hung on hidden hangers, in any color.
DetailsNeed Doors?
Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free, and you get a straight answer on what the house needs.