New Door Jamb

A door jamb is the opening in a wall where the door goes, simple enough explanation. However, a door jamb must be installed correctly so that the door that goes into the jamb will work properly. If pressure is not transferred away from the door being installed the door will not work in the way intended, the door might not work at all.

In new construction the door jambs are installed by the framing carpenters and the door slips into the space, but installing a door jamb into an existing wall requires some thinking about where to locate the door.

If you are replacing an old door jamb you need to remove the old door jamb and insert the new jamb after making whatever adjustments you need to make if the new door is smaller or larger than the old door.

To install a new door into an existing wall you need to determine exactly where the door is going to go. Doors connect two spaces one on each side of the wall and it is important to consider the areas on both sides of the new door so there is room for the door to open and close easily and nothing blocking ingress and egress through the door.

Once the location is determined you will need to figure out what impediments are inside the wall, for example, pipes, electrical, misaligned studs. You will also have to determine if the floors on both sides of the new door are the same level. If you find electrical wires and plumbing, you will need a plumber and/or an electrician to relocate the wires and/or pipes. Using a professional contractor to install the new jamb will make these problems easier to deal with; a professional contractor will have the expertise to handle whatever they run into.

Measure an opening for the new door six inches higher and six inches wider than the new door. Draw this out on the wall and cut carefully through the dry wall, plaster or other wall surface. You do not want to cut too deeply as you want to avoid any previously undiscovered pipes or wires. You only want to cut through the dry wall or other wall surface. After you have removed the dry wall or other wall surface you should be looking at studs and maybe pipes and wires, carefully remove what is there until you have a clear opening.

Now you are ready to install jacks and a header. Jacks are the side pieces and the header is the top piece (jacks are usually 2×4’s and the headers are typically 2×6’s). Their purpose is to transfer the weight of the house down to the foundation and relieve any pressure on the new door (if you are just creating an opening and not actually installing a new door you need to finish the opening with trim or drywall to match the rest of the rooms).