How To Build Your Own Exterior Door Frame

Measure the left side of the door frame.

How to build your own exterior door frame. Building your own door frame can save some money provided you have the time skills and tools to do the job correctly. Mark the measurement on the second 8 foot doorjamb board. Measure from the floor or base of the frame to the top of the frame. A beautiful exterior wooden door can be built from standard 2 by 6 and 2 by 4 lumber and 1 2 inch plywood.

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. Measure the right side of the door frame with your tape measure. Decide whether to buy a frame or build one. However odd sized doors are typically a special order item that can cost much more and take additional time.

Wind bracing the diagonal batten running from top corner to the bottom one will make your doors firmer. If you plan to make this for the interior it will be too thick to fit the existing jamb and you will have to modify your plan for accents. 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. Add 1 1 2 inch to the height and cut two pieces.

If you are uncertain it is usually much easier to buy a pre made door frame assembly or prehung door unit. The door stiles are the side vertical supports of your diy entrance door s frame while the rails are horizontal. Installing a new door frame is not a difficult task and can be learned by understanding the simple steps involved. The outsides of this door will be 1 1 2 thick which is standard for an exterior door.

Building your own exterior doors can be more time consuming and expensive than buying ready made. Building your own jambs is cost effective because you can purchase slab doors cheaper than prehung units. Measure the width and height of the door. On top of it exterior door shell made of wooden boards is attached.

If you have to replace or repair a door jamb it s most advisable to build an entire new door frame. Be sure that the door you make is the proper thickness for your door jamb.