Installation Guide | OTTOSTUMM
Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth installation process. Use the Table of Contents below to jump directly to the section you need. Instructions must be followed for a valid warranty.
📑 Table of Contents
1. Receiving
- Inspect your door immediately after delivery.
- Report any damage to Pinky’s Iron Doors Customer Service within 3 days.
- Keep all original packaging for potential returns.
2. Storage & Handling
- Handle doors with at least 2 people.
- Store in a dry, covered area with fabric padding.
- Remove packaging immediately; do not store with shipping materials.
- Keep doors dry and wipe away moisture promptly.
- Never leave doors uncovered on an active job site before installation.
3. Tools Required
Tools Required: Only use scissors when opening the packaging for your doors, windows, and frames. Do not use razor blades or knives, as sharp blades can scratch or damage the painted finish. Metal has flex which can only be found by using a small 12-inch level and is the only correct level that must be used to accurately read the designated leveling points.
Tools Not to Use: Avoid razor blades, knives, levels longer then 12 inches, laser levels, straight edges, and wood shims. At every leveling point, use two opposing plastic shims for proper adjustment. Wood shims will crack and compress and are not suitable for our doors. Straight edges and rulers are not accurate tools of measurement for our doors since every door is hand forged and made without straight lines. Laser levels, and long levels will not find the flex in our doors during installation.
Installation Prep: Sill pans must be installed prior to frame installation to protect against water intrusion. Do not seal sill pans for proper drainage. Must only use 100% silicone based sealant.
Tools and Tips
4. Rough Opening Requirements
- Rough opening should be 1–2 inch wider and taller than the frame.
- Ensure the opening is plumb, level, and square on every side.
- Maintain at least 1 inch clearance around the frame.
- Make sure there’s solid wood or metal backing for the lag bolts.
- Exterior doors require an overhang and drip edge installed above the frame so water can be diverted away from the top.
- All Exterior doors require metal sill pans prior to installation.
5. Frame Installation
Before you start installing your door frame, make sure your rough opening is plumb, level, and square. Use plastic shims at the leveling points.
- Use only a 12-inch level when installing. Laser levels and long levels are not sufficient.
- Always use plastic shims; wood shims compress over time.
- If using spray foam, it must be low-expanding and applied by a professional.
- Nailing fin should never be cut or trimmed as this prevents cold air from getting to the interior and is structural.
- Only blue vinyl painter’s tape on doors/frames.
- Replace tape regularly if exposed to sunlight.
- If duct tape needed, apply blue painter’s tape first.
7. Door Installtion
Each hinge on our doors comes with a single brass washer. These washers are not meant to be used as shims.
To fix a door that isn’t closing smoothly:
- Recheck the frame’s level at each point using a 12-inch level.
- Use plastic shims to adjust where needed.
Apply petroleum grease to the bullet hinges, carefully hang the door, cycle it a few times, then recheck all leveling points.
8. Hardware & Finishing
Adjust lock strike plates if needed, using light filing for minor corrections. Check roller catch stiffness and adjust screws as necessary.
MTS50 models feature an adjustable strike plate, enabling precise alignment of the door latch for smooth and reliable operation.
Adjustment Procedure:
- Loosen the mounting screws slightly. Do not remove completely.
- Adjust the strike plate laterally until the latch aligns properly.
- Secure the strike plate by tightening the screws.
- Test the door and make minor adjustments if needed.
8. Care & Maintenance
✅ Regular maintenance keeps doors functioning perfectly. Clean monthly with Pinkys Iron door spray and lubricate hinges yearly with any petroleum grease.
- Vacuum dust/debris after installation.
- Protect doors with blue vinyl painter’s tape only.
- After construction, remove tape and wipe down with Pinkys Iron + Steel Clean Protect Spray.
9. Troubleshooting
1. Our doors are designed with real, solid metal craftsmanship. Because we apply high heat during welding, the metal shifts slightly during the cooling process and contracts, which means you might notice tiny subtle variations rather than straight lines. This is normal and part of the handcrafting character of our doors. We call this Marks of the Maker as this is a hand forged process and none of our products are extracted out of a extrusion type of machine. So when you see slight, gentle curvature or variation, rest assured it’s built into the process.
2. Do not use a level or straight edge on the hinge to check door alignment. The hinge is not a measuring point for our doors. Hinges act as pivot points and are not designed to be perfectly straight. Because of this, placing a level or straight edge on the hinge will always give a false reading. To confirm proper alignment, check the frame is level using a 12 inch level and has the correct clearance gaps around the frame. Adjust shims as needed at the (X) points listed above.
3. If the door rubs, or locks do not align, check frame leveling with a 12-inch level, shim points, and clearance gaps (.5 inches or larger). Adjust hardware and shims as needed.
