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How to Install a Prehung Door

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(172 Ratings)
Install a Prehung Door
Install a Prehung Door

Buying a prehung door, in which the door comes already hinged to the framed-up door casing, is a little more expensive than buying the door, jamb and trim separately, but finished, professional-looking results are so much easier to achieve.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • wooden shims
  • level
  • carpenter's square
  • Measuring Tapes
  • Wood Putty
  • Finish Nails
  • Hammers

    One-Piece-Jamb Style

  1. Step 1

    Measure the width and height of your rough opening (i.e with any existing trim and jambs removed) as well as the thickness of the wall.

  2. Step 2

    Take these measurements to your local home improvement center or lumberyard. Pick out the appropriate size of door needed and the style that suits your taste.

  3. Step 3

    Set the door into the opening in your wall and use wooden shims to help center and hold the unit in the opening.

  4. Step 4

    Adjust the door using a carpenter's square and a level until it is as close to true and as plumb as possible. Use the shims to level and hold the door in place.

  5. Step 5

    Drive 6d finish nails partway through the jamb and shims on the hinge side to temporarily attach the unit to the surrounding frame.

  6. Step 6

    Use a framing square to check the other two jamb pieces for square. Also check by closing the door; the gap should be even all around.

  7. Step 7

    Adjust shims as needed, attach all sides of the jamb with 6d nails then trim off the shims extending beyond the door.

  8. Step 8

    Install the casing molding to the outside of the frame with 4d finish nails.

  9. Step 9

    Countersink all nails with a nail set and fill holes with wood putty. The door is ready for staining or painting to suit your style.

  10. Split-Style Jamb

  11. Step 1

    Install the jamb half that has the door attached just as you would a standard prehung door. (See above.)

  12. Step 2

    Slip in the second half of the jamb from the opposite side of the door and cover the joint between the two with the stop molding provided.

  13. Step 3

    Countersink all nail heads with a nail set and fill holes with wood putty.

  14. Step 4

    Stain or paint to suit your taste.

Tips & Warnings
  • A split jamb can be helpful in hiding out-of-square door openings and walls that lean.
  • Some doors come with doorknob and lock sets, while with others you'll have to purchase all pieces separately.

Comments  

ezhangdoor said

Flag This Comment

on 4/26/2009 There is a product out called EZHang. This is a door hanging system that avoids the use of wood shims in an interior door installation. It makes it easy for a homeowner to quickly and easily install a door.

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