An entry door can look aligned when closed and still scrape the threshold as it opens. During the final walkthrough, operate the door with the installer present so you can point out exactly where it catches, rubs or fails to latch.
Use this exterior door installation checklist before handing over a completed installation. For a Sunny Lux aluminum entry door, keep the approved project drawings and PRL’s installation instructions on hand.
Check the Swing, Alignment and Lock
Open and close the door several times at a normal pace. The moving panel, or leaf, should clear the frame and threshold without rubbing or binding. Confirm that the swing matches the approved drawings and that the leaf clears nearby walls, flooring and fixtures. The areas to check will vary between inswing and outswing entry doors.
During the entry door installation inspection, check:
- Leaf alignment. Have the installer verify the leaf’s vertical and horizontal position within the frame. If it rubs, note where contact occurs and at what point in the swing.
- Latch, lock and handle. Check that the latch engages when the door closes normally. Verify that the hardware locks and unlocks as intended and that the handle returns to its resting position after use.
- Paired doors. Ask the installer to demonstrate how each leaf operates and, where applicable, how the secondary leaf is released and secured.
Record what you observe. “The lower latch-side corner rubs just before the door closes” tells the installer where to look. Leave hardware and alignment adjustments to the installer, who can check the cause against the installation instructions.
Inspect the Frame, Glass, Weather Seals and Finish
Walk around the door and inspect it from both sides. Use the approved entry door specifications to verify the installed glass, hardware and finish.
Frame and jambs. Have the installer verify that the frame is plumb, level and securely fastened. Confirm that the adjustable jambs are secured in their final positions and that the hinge screws and other fasteners have been checked. Refer to installation records for fixings that are already concealed.
Glass and glazing. Check that the glass is centered and that visible glazing stops or retainers are fully seated. Look for chips, cracks, scratches, gaps in the glazing sealant and unintended contact between the glass and frame. Have the installer confirm the placement of setting blocks and shims where they are no longer visible.
Exterior door weather seals. Check that the weatherstripping is seated and makes continuous contact along the intended sealing perimeter when the door is closed. Pay particular attention to corners and transitions at the threshold. Check any frame-to-opening sealant against the approved detail, looking for gaps or areas where it has pulled away. If the project requires air or water testing, review the test results separately from the visual inspection.
Finish and cleanup. Inspect the glass and exposed aluminum for scratches, dents or adhesive residue. Confirm that the threshold and swing path are clear of debris and that tools and leftover materials have been removed.
Record the Final Inspection and Hand Over the Door
Mark each item on the Sunny Lux checklist after it has been verified. If something needs attention, record the door location, the condition observed and who will address it. Recheck the affected functions after each correction. After a jamb adjustment, for example, operate the door again and verify latch engagement and seal contact.
Before handover, have the installer demonstrate how to open, close and lock the door. Give the owner or building team the completed inspection checklist, the installer’s contact information and the Sunny Lux end-user manual.
The final inspection gives the owner a record of the door’s condition at handover. Once the door is in use, follow the manual for cleaning and periodic checks. PRL’s residential aluminum door maintenance guide covers routine care and signs of wear to watch for over time.
Download the Sunny Lux final inspection checklist and review the completed installation with your installer before handover.
