How to Hang a Door Jamb
Doors can be the trickiest part of a remodeling project, especially if the house is old and has settled around the foundation--even if the house was built on a slab. What was once square and plumb may be off as much as an inch. A quick way to determine how much settling has occurred in a door opening is to place a framing square in the corners at the top of the opening. If there are gaps between the framing square and the studs or header, this means the use of wood shims will be necessary. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter's level
- Wood shims
- Hammer
- Small box of eight-penny nails
- Nail set
Instructions
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Measure the width and height of the door opening and compare it to the width and height of the door jamb. This will determine how many wood shims are needed to make the installation solid.
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2
Place the door jamb in the door opening and over to the hinge side of the opening. Place a carpenter's level on the hinge side of the jamb and adjust it accordingly.
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Insert as many wood shims as needed to keep the jamb plumb while securing it to the stud. Secure the hinge side of the jamb to the stud with eight-penny finish nails.
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4
Set the carpenter's level on the top of the door jamb and adjust the jamb until it is level. Secure the top of the jamb to the header of the door opening with the eight-penny finish nails.
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Next, place the carpenter's level on the remaining side of the jamb and adjust it until it is plumb. Insert wood shims where needed and secure the jamb to the stud with the eight-penny finish nails. Set the nail heads with a nail set.
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Tips & Warnings
Pre-drilling holes in the jamb will make it easier to drive the nails.
Do not leave tools unattended in the presence of children.
Do not drive nails through the shims as they can split and fall down during installation.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit door frame image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
