Installing New Interior Door Jamb

Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction.

Installing new interior door jamb.

If you have more than 3 16 of an inch to remove you can use a circular saw to do so. If the holes in the jamb are too large for the screws use wood glue to secure a short portion of dowel tightly in the hole. It s not always necessary to use shims on the top doorjamb the casing will hold it in place. Any changes to the door frame should be made before installing the new door.

Once again take care not to damage the frame or the wall during this step in the process. Hang the door in the jamb. Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. Only shim the top jamb if you re working with a 3 ft wide door and the top jamb arrives bowed from the factory.

If you have more than an inch to remove take half off the top and half off the bottom. 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. Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb. Go slowly and make a long clean cut.

A new door jamb with decorative trim can make a dramatic enhancement. Remove the old door and cut the new door down to size. Allow the glue to cure and drill the pilot holes. If you re not steady with your saw you can use a straight edge as a guide.

If you would like to paint repair or alter the door frame in any way now is the perfect time to do so. 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 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. Check the fit before installing a new door and enlarge the opening as necessary.