Install metal door jambs

They come in three separate pieces that lock together at the top. Small anchors in the frame allow for quick balancing and leveling of the frame. They are already prepared for standard door hardware and sizes are available to fit any existing opening. If you're remodeling for resale, replace beat-up jambs with knockdowns for a quick fix and a new look. Place the three sections of the jambs face up across two sawhorses.

In the center of the jambs, you should see four setscrews. These are the anchors that balance the frame once it's installed. Stand one of the long pieces in place in the door opening.

Tilt the top of it into the corner and then lightly tap the bottom of the jamb with your toe until the jamb is flush, vertical and tight against the stud. Pick up the header, the short piece that goes across the top of the door frame.

Hold it above your head with both hands. Tilt one corner of it into the corner of the jamb you just stood in place. There are locking tabs on the ends. Gently push the header upward until it clicks into place. The header should click into the vertical jamb and the stud on top when it becomes horizontal. Stand the other jamb in place. Article Summary. Part 1. Measure the width of the door frame. Break out the tape measure. You'll need to know how wide your door frame is so the jamb fits in it.

Hold the tape measure up to the top of the door frame. Note the measurement and save it for later. Measure the sides of the door frame. Take your tape measure to one side of the door frame. Note the length and mark this on one piece of wood. If you have level ground, this measurement will be the same for the other side. Most likely they'll be different, so measure the other side of the frame and mark its length on another piece of wood.

Don't forget to also measure the top part of the frame for the smaller piece of wood. Cut the wood. Suit up with safety gear, including gloves, safety glasses, and a visor, before turning on your circular saw. Thin the pieces of wood so they fit within the frame. Follow up by cutting their length according to the measurements you took earlier. Part 2. Nail the wood together. Lay one of the longer pieces of wood on its side and add a bit of wood glue to the end.

Attach the shorter piece to one end of the longer piece. Get your nail gun and hold it square on the outside of the area where the wood meets. Add the nails to secure the pieces together. Align the other piece of wood on the opposite side and attach it the same way. Hold the jamb up to the door frame. Carefully move your newly-cut wood up into the frame. Since you measured, it should fit in there well. Align the left side against the wall and see if it appears level.

Double-check this with a level. Level out the jamb with wood strips. After attaching the jamb to the frame, place wood strips shims under it. Make sure that you do not lift the jamb too much.

Figure out where you need to place the shims to level the hinge side from top to bottom. Get these strips from the home improvement store. Slip them between the jamb and frame as needed. Make sure to fasten the hinge side jambs directly to the stud. You can fasten them loosely in case you need to slide a jamb behind it, but it is best to keep it tight.

Hold the door against the jamb to check for clearance. You can hold the jamb in place by lightly hammering in a few nails. Place the door inside the jamb. The door needs to fit comfortably inside the jamb.

Look for the gap between the door and jamb to be one-eighth of an inch. Add or remove shimming so the door fits. When you're sure the measurements are correct, remove the door. Nail the hinge side of the jamb to the frame. Get your nail gun again. Make sure the jamb is even against the wall and frame.

Begin securing it with nails from top to bottom. Be sure to put a nail through each shim to hold them in place. Screws make exterior doors stronger and more adjustable.

Drill a hole in the jamb before adding the screws, then attach the weather strips over them. Secure the other sides of the jamb to the frame. Move onto the top side.

First, hold your level up to the jamb. If it doesn't appear level, add some shims to even it out. Finish by nailing the jamb to the frame. Repeat this with the side opposite the hinges.

Cut the shims to size with a utility knife. The shims will have their ends sticking out of the jamb. Go ahead and take your utility knife or other woodcarving knife and score them, then use your hammer to break off the ends. Part 3. Hang the door in the jamb. Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb. 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.

Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. Make sure it's tight and opening in the right direction. Measure out the stopper width. The door stopper also called stop molding can be bought pre-cut or fashioned out of wood strips. You will need to measure out how wide the stopper needs to be so that the pieces on each side of the door frame fit together.

The moulding goes behind the hinges and rests in the middle of the jamb. Measure it against the jamb until you're sure it's the right thickness. When cutting it yourself, you only need strips of wood about one or two inches two to five cm wide. Measure the stopper's length on the door jamb.