Professional French Door Installation in St. Johns, Florida: Privacy and Soundproofing for a Home Office
When a valued customer in St. Johns, Florida (32259) needed to add privacy and soundproofing to their home office, I was called in to tackle what turned into a comprehensive three-day door installation project. The goal was to transform an open doorway with a transom above into an elegant, enclosed entrance with French doors. The execution required careful planning, precise carpentry skills, and custom modifications to achieve a seamless, professional finish.
Here’s a detailed look at how I transformed this space with a custom French door installation, complete with structural modifications, transom enclosure, drywall work, and flooring adjustments.
The Challenge: Enclosing a Transom and Widening an Opening for French Doors
The existing entrance to the home office featured an open doorway with a decorative transom opening above it. While visually appealing, the open doorway provided no privacy or sound barrier—a problem for a homeowner who needed a quiet, enclosed workspace.
The solution? Installing 48-inch white 12-lite French doors with brushed nickel hardware. The customer had purchased these beautiful doors from Wayfair, which arrived with a door jamb that required complete assembly. While the pre-finished laminated surface was a huge advantage (no painting required!), it also meant zero room for error during installation—especially when mortising for the lockset and assembling the jamb system.
Key Project Requirements..
- Enclose the open transom above the doorway with framing and drywall
- Widen the existing doorway to accommodate 48-inch French doors
- Assemble the door jamb frame from components
- Complete drywall repair and finishing work
- Install custom trim and baseboard
- Modify laminate flooring for a seamless appearance
- Add a spring-loaded ball catch for proper door operation
Day 1: Structural Modifications and Prep Work
The first day focused on demolition and structural modifications. I began by carefully removing the existing corner bead and drywall from the transom opening above the doorway. Since the new French doors would fill the entire height of the opening without a transom, I needed to frame in and enclose this upper section completely.
Next came widening the doorway opening. The 48-inch doors required a larger rough opening than what existed, which meant modifying studs and the header. This structural work had to be done precisely to ensure the new door frame would fit perfectly and operate smoothly.
What this exposed: When I widened the opening, it revealed sections of the concrete floor slab where the laminate flooring didn’t extend. This would require custom flooring work to maintain a seamless, professional appearance—more on that later.
Day 2: Drywall Installation, Flooring Modifications, and Door Assembly
With the framing complete, day two was all about drywall work, flooring repairs, and door assembly. I installed new drywall in the transom opening above where the doors would sit, then moved through the critical steps of taping, mudding, and sanding to achieve a smooth, paint-ready surface.
With the rough framing and drywall work complete, I turned my attention to the exposed concrete floor sections. This is where custom craftsmanship made all the difference. I carefully modified the existing laminate flooring to extend into the newly widened doorway, creating custom-cut pieces that fit perfectly around the new door frame. The result? A seamless floor transition that looks like it was always there (check out the project photos to see the finished result).
While the drywall compound was drying between coats, I assembled the door jamb frame from scratch. The French door unit came with separate jamb components that needed to be precisely assembled before the doors could be hung—a process that requires attention to detail to ensure everything is square, level, and properly sized for the opening.
One thing I discovered during assembly: the door package should have included a spring-loaded ball catch mechanism, but it didn’t. This hardware is essential for French door operation—it allows one door to be “fixed” in place while the other door (with the active latch) closes into it. I made sure to source and install the proper ball catch to ensure the doors would function correctly.
Day 3: Final Door Installation and Finishing Touches
The final day brought everything together. After painting the newly drywalled transom area to match the existing wall color, I was ready for the main event: installing the assembled door jamb frame and hanging the French doors.
Installing pre-finished laminated doors requires extreme precision. Unlike traditional wood doors that can be touched up with paint, any mistake on a laminated surface is permanent. I carefully mortised the lockset hardware into the doors, taking my time to ensure perfect placement and fit. Then I hung each door into the assembled jamb frame, making precise adjustments to ensure smooth operation.
Once the doors were hung and operating smoothly, I completed the finishing work. I installed new trim and baseboard around the door frame, caulked all seams for a professional finish, and painted the trim to match the home’s existing interior. With the flooring already completed from day two, the entire installation came together perfectly.
French Door Installation Photo Gallery – St. Johns, FL Project
See the transformation from start to finish! Below are photos documenting this French door installation project in St. Johns, Florida:
Professional French door installation with custom structural modifications, drywall finishing, and seamless flooring work – all completed in just 3 days!
The Result: Beautiful French Doors with Enhanced Privacy and Soundproofing
The transformation was dramatic. What was once an open doorway with a transom above is now an elegant entrance featuring white 12-lite French doors that provide both the privacy and soundproofing the homeowner needed for their home office. The brushed nickel hardware adds a modern touch, and the seamless integration with the existing flooring and walls makes it look like a high-end, built-in feature.
Best of all, the doors operate smoothly and securely thanks to the properly installed ball catch mechanism and quality lockset installation.
The Result: Beautiful French Doors with Enhanced Privacy and Soundproofing
The transformation was dramatic. What was once an open arched doorway is now an elegant entrance featuring white 12-lite French doors that provide both the privacy and soundproofing the homeowner needed for their home office. The brushed nickel hardware adds a modern touch, and the seamless integration with the existing flooring and walls makes it look like a high-end, built-in feature.
Best of all, the doors operate smoothly and securely thanks to the properly installed ball catch mechanism and quality lockset installation.
What This St. Johns Customers Had to Say..
“We love Brian, he does great work and is always reliable. His prices are always fair! I hire him for every home project.”
This French door installation was one of several projects I’ve completed for this customer in St. Johns. Building long-term relationships with clients based on quality work, fair pricing, and reliability is what The Great Handyman is all about.
Investment for a Project Like This
Scope of Work Included:
- Make opening wider and taller (remove corner bead, drywall, and modify studs & header where needed)
- Assemble door jamb frame from components
- Install assembled door frame, hang doors, and install hardware
- Install spring-loaded ball catch for proper door operation
- Install new trim and baseboard where needed
- Caulk and paint trim to match existing interior
- Frame transom opening and install new drywall
- Tape, mud, sand, and finish drywall
- Paint wall around door to match existing walls
- Custom laminate flooring modifications for seamless appearance
- All materials included (drywall, studs, plaster, trim, caulk, paint)
Project Investment: $1,960 (not including door or door hardware)
Note: Price includes labor and all construction materials. Customer-purchased doors and hardware are not included in this price.
Why Choose The Great Handyman for Your Door Installation in St. Johns, FL?
- Comprehensive Service: From structural modifications to door jamb assembly to custom flooring work, I handle every aspect of your project
- Expert Carpentry Skills: Assembling door jambs from scratch and hanging doors requires precision—I take the time to do it right the first time
- Attention to Detail: Pre-finished surfaces require perfection with no room for error
- Problem-Solving Expertise: When doors arrive without necessary hardware, I source the right components to ensure proper operation
- Fair, Transparent Pricing: You’ll know exactly what’s included in your project scope and cost
- Local St. Johns Area Service: Serving homeowners throughout St. Johns, FL 32259 and surrounding Jacksonville communities
- Proven Track Record: Over 100+ five star reviews from satisfied customers who hire me again and again
Ready to Transform Your Home with Professional Door Installation
Whether you need French doors installed, an arched doorway converted, interior door replacement, or any other handyman services in St. Johns, Florida, I’m here to help. With years of experience and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, I’ll ensure your project is completed to the highest standards.
Contact Brian Gallagher – The Great Handyman Today:
📞 Call or Text: 904-580-2338
Serving St. Johns, FL 32259 and surrounding Jacksonville areas. Licensed, reliable, and ready to tackle your next home improvement project.
Don’t wait—get your free estimate today and discover why homeowners throughout St. Johns trust The Great Handyman for quality work at fair prices!