Do you know you can actually install your door jamb easily without asking anyone for help? Here, you will learn what a door jamb is, the different types of door jamb, and how to get one installed on your home door.
Before You Install a Door Jamb
With the invention of the door came a new and beloved part of humanity - privacy. Though interaction is an essential part of every civilization, so is the need for time alone, an area to call one's own.
The door was the perfect way to ensure that it was possible. However, the door cannot stand on its own. It requires support. When you decide to get a new entry door, it's as simple as trading out your old door for the new one. However, there are other times when you need to adjust a few things to help your new addition fit into your home.
A door is an integral part of a house. It provides security, keeps out unwanted intruders and weather elements, and also adds to the overall beauty of a home. A door has many parts that help it function well, and one of these is the door jamb.
A door jamb, sometimes referred to as the door legs or doorpost, is the vertical part of the doorframe; it runs along the doorframe and "carries" the door since it has the mounting hinges on one side while the side holds the door latch. They are only partially visible when you view an open door, and when closed, they are not visible at all.
The importance of a strong and durable door jamb cannot be overemphasized as it helps to keep your house burglar-proof. It also aids in ensuring the durability of the door itself as it ensures proper opening and closing of the door.
A door jamb can be made from different materials like wood and fiberglass. The use of wood in the making of door jamb was once the only choice and is still the classic choice. Most door jambs are made from pine, hemlock, or fir. They are easy to work with and are economical as well. Oak or any other hardwood a be used to make jambs but are harder to work with, especially when adding hinges to the jamb.
A door jamb frame has two side jambs and a head jamb.
Installing a door jamb could be quite challenging. However, it can be accomplished by following some simple steps.
Things you'll be needing
- Door jambs
- Electric saw
- Electric drill and bits
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Nails
- Pencil
- Carpenter's square
- Carpenter's level
- Shims
- Door Stop Moulding (same lengths as the door jamb pieces)
Steps to Installing Door Jambs
The first thing to do is to measure out the door frame. Firstly, using a tape measure, measure across the top of the door frame and note it somewhere. Also, measure the right-hand side of the door frame and note it down. You'll also need to measure the left side of the door frame as it might not be the same as the left-hand side of the floor is not level.
Next is to cut our wood. Before using the circular saw, make sure to protect yourself by wearing safety gear to prevent injuries.
Using the measurements taken earlier of the top and sides of the door frame, mark the jamb board, and cut them out. Ensure accurate measurement and citing as jambs that are too small leave exposed wood, and those that are too large make for a tough trimming job.
Next is to join the three jamb parts together. Nail the three pieces together with a nail gun, positioning it outside the point where they join. To ensure that a 90-degree angle is obtained while nailing the jamb parts, use a square. Place the right side jamb and the top part jamb to the side and top. Now wedge with a nail together. Repeat for the left side jamb also.
Also, take note to ensure that the weather stripping side of the door jamb must be facing the interior part of the house.
Place the side jamb where the jingle would be fixed along the edge of the door and mark the hinge locations and outline onto the jamb with a sharp pencil. Use a router or chisel to cut out the shallow recesses (also referred to as mortises) on the jamb.
Starting out on the side of the door that attaches to the hinge, fixes the jamb to the door frame.
Place the door jamb onto the frame and check to see if it is leveled on the other side. Use shims or wood strips to achieve alignment by placing them between the doorjamb and the door frame.
Hold the level vertically to the sides and horizontally across the top. If the doorjamb is not level, adjust the shims until it is.
Starting the the the hinge side of the jamb, nail the jamb to the frame from top to bottom using your nail gun. Make sure to drive a nail through every shim to secure the jamb in place. Move next to the top side and the other opposite side ensuring that the jamb is level with the frame before nailing. Use a knife to cut out the excess part of the wood strip/shim.
The function of the doorstop is to prevent the door from swinging the wrong way. They are thin planks nailed to the center of the faces of the side and head jambs and are usually flat on the side that touches the floor but rounded on the other side.
To install the doorstop, first measure out the thickness of the door to be installed. Use the measurement to mark out the position of the door on the top plate when it is closed. Use this mark to position your doorstep. Measure and cut the doorstop for the top plate and nail it into place. Then mark the lines for the stops on the sides of your jamb, measure and cut them to length, and finish by hammering them into place.
Conclusion
The door jamb is not just a part of the door but an essential component that needs to be given detailed attention. You need to have a well-fixed and durable door jamb as it will bear up the door. It also holds the hinges and thus ensures smooth and free opening and closing of doors.
Both the door and the jamb must be installed appropriately to ensure that the panel fits snugly and there is no gapping, which could cause problems by permitting outdoor elements to get into your home.
It is also essential to install well-fitting and robust door jambs on the home's interior. Otherwise, the panels could creak, stick, or even fail altogether.
A forceful kick to a door with a weak door jamb not minding the door quality would bring down the door and grant easy access to thieves and other unwanted elements into the house since the jamb also holds the latch on the other side.
Following the aforementioned easy steps, you can prevent theft and avoidable embarrassment by installing a sturdy door jamb for your door.
