Installing New Interior Door Jamb

If you would like to paint repair or alter the door frame in any way now is the perfect time to do so.

Installing new interior door jamb.

Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction. Only shim the top jamb if you re working with a 3 ft wide door and the top jamb arrives bowed from the factory. Once you are satisfied with the fit of the door remove it and apply several thick beads of silicone caulk to the bottom of the doorsill. If you re not steady with your saw you can use a straight edge as a guide.

If the holes on your new hinge plates don t match the holes in the screw holes in the door jamb drill pilot holes for the new screws. Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. If you have more than an inch to remove take half off the top and half off the bottom. If you have more than 3 16 of an inch to remove you can use a circular saw to do so.

Remove the old door and cut the new door down to size. And on new homes and additions walls can compress as they settle and push down on the top shims causing the jamb to bow down. Unless you are installing a prehung door you ll need to trace the outline of the hinges on the jamb and cut an indentation using a router or utility knife. Pry the side jambs away from the studs and then pry down the head jamb.

It s not always necessary to use shims on the top doorjamb the casing will hold it in place. Once again take care not to damage the frame or the wall during this step in the process. A new door jamb with decorative trim can make a dramatic enhancement. Any changes to the door frame should be made before installing the new door.

Go slowly and make a long clean cut. Caulk underneath the spots where the bottom of the jamb and brick moulding will be. Hang the door in the jamb. Check the fit before installing a new door and enlarge the opening as necessary.