How To Build A Entry Door Jamb

Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb.

How to build a entry door jamb. Remove one of the hinges from the door. If you have to replace or repair a door jamb it s most advisable to build an entire new door frame. The door jamb is the vertical portion of the frame that runs along the sides of the door. Some preformed exterior doorjamb boards will already have weather stripping attached to them.

As well weatherstripping mounted on the door jamb helps prevent heat from escaping out of the house. Installing a new door frame is not a difficult task and can be learned by understanding the simple steps involved. Using the marks on the jamb position the hinge on the jamb as if it were already installed. Purchasing precut ready to go doorjamb boards will save you time.

Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. If you re not using premade jamb material or if your walls are a nonstandard thickness you can buy 5 or 6 inch wide lumber and rip cut it to the width of the wall using a table saw. 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. You can purchase precut boards for this project or you can purchase trim boards and cut them to size yourself.

When building a door jamb to fit a standard wall with a two by four frame and 1 2 inch drywall on each side the width of the jamb board typically is 4 9 16 inches. Hang the door in the jamb. Exterior door jamb parts building a doorjamb is a relatively easy project. Having an exterior door jamb on each entrance to your home adds a more finished look to the doorways.

Follow these steps to make an exterior door jamb using precut weather stripped planks.