Installing and painting the front door for my tiny house

I’m not going to lie—when I first started building my tiny house, the idea of installing a front door felt like one of those “big deal” moments. It’s the literal entryway to my new home! I wanted to share my experience of this milestone!

Step 1: Choosing the Door

The first decision I had to make was picking the right door. I wanted something that was both functional and welcoming—a door that could withstand the elements and still look stylish on my tiny house. After some research, I went with a pre-hung fiberglass door that had small windows on the top. I wanted to let some light in, and I also wanted this to add a pop of color.

I needed a 32″ x 80″ outswing door. This was really tough to find in stores, so I ended up ordering on Home Depot’s website. It was more expensive than I had budgeted for, but I was able to move some money from a different category to cover the difference. Overall, it was $933.

It was delivered to build site, and Debby was kind enough to cover it with a tarp so it withstood the elements till Doug and I were able to move it to the barn using the tractor.

Step 2: The Installation

The installation process was a definite first for me. Luckily, I had a couple of friends with more experience to help me. Enter, the A-Team: Doug and Phil! We started by ensuring the rough opening was level and plumb. Once that was done, we placed the door in the frame and made sure it was centered and properly aligned.

With a little patience (and some muscle!), we secured the door with screws, making sure everything was perfectly level. We used shims all around the door frame to ensure it was level and had something to keep it in place. I then sprayed the gaps with spray foam for insulation. I was a little heavy handed with the spray foam, but I knew I could cut off the excess later.

For the hardware, I found a Kwikset door handle that I liked in black. Installing it was pretty straight forward. The door and door frame already had the holes ready for the pieces. However, one side of the frame where the lock plate is was too small. I’ll need to chisel out a bigger indentation for the plate I have to fit. Not a big deal, and I don’t need to lock it just yet anyway. 🙂

Step 3: Painting the Door

With the door successfully installed, it was time for one of the more creative parts of the project: painting! I wanted the door to pop, adding personality to the front of the house. Surprisingly, it didn’t take me too long to find the perfect color. I was scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration (as you do), and I saw this pink/orange color that really spoke to me. It was Benjamin Moore’s Wildflower.

Before painting, I prepped the door by wiping it down. It had already collected some dirt for the week it was up. It was already primed for paint, so luckily I didn’t have to do anything else. I taped up the windows and painted each side with three coats. I also painted the trim and door frame that was on the house. The color definitely met my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier with my new fun front door for the tiny house!

Lessons Learned

• Measure Twice (or Three Times), Cut Once: Installing a door requires precision, and I learned firsthand how important it is to take your time with measurements to ensure everything lines up properly.
• Patience is Key: Painting might seem simple, but achieving a smooth, professional finish takes patience. Taking breaks between coats and allowing time for proper drying was essential to avoid streaks or clumps.
• Good Friends Make All the Difference: I couldn’t have done this without the amazing help from my friends who showed up, lent their expertise, and cheered me on throughout the process.

Final Thoughts

Seeing the front door installed and painted is one of those moments that made the tiny house feel real. It’s not just a project anymore; it’s becoming my home. There’s still a lot to do, but every task like this reminds me how rewarding it is to tackle something new and see it through.

Check out the update on YouTube on Kay’s Tiny House.