Door Jamb Secrets - Using Extension Jambs
Installing a door can be a difficult and daunting task,
for most homeowners or even novice contractors. Installing the door
correctly, can make a big difference on how long the door will take,
before it actually starts rubbing against the door jamb.
Professional door hanging advice can only be given out by people who
have dealt with and solve these problems in the past and now know how to
prevent them in the future. I would like to share one of these building
secrets with you today.
What is an extension jamb? It's a piece of wood that can be nailed on
one side of the door jam, to make it a little longer, if necessary.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about: you go down to your local
home improvement center and buy a pre-hung door and the doorjamb width
it is 4 1/2 inches wide.
This doorjamb is made for a 3 1/2 inch wide rough framed wall, with one
sheet of half inch drywall on each side, giving us a 4 1/2 inch wide
wall, that the new doorjamb will be covering.
Now what if, you're going to be using a 2 x 6 wall or a 2 x 4 wall with
5/8 inch drywall on each side or a 2 x 4 wall with plywood on it and
then half inch drywall on each side. Your standard doorjamb will now
need to be wider and this is the purpose of an extension jamb.
Install the door even to one side of the wall and then you will install
the extension jamb on the other side of your new doorjamb. If you need
to add 3/8 of an inch, simply cut a 3/8 of an inch strip, the length of
the two sides of your doorjamb and the top headpiece and fastened them,
using finish nails or staples.
The real secret here, is knowing which side of the door jambs to apply
the extension jamb strips to. Always apply the extension jamb strips to
the opposite side of the door hinges. This tip is worth its weight in
gold and I hope that you always remember this. If you ever apply the
extension jambs to the same side as the door hinge, you'll find yourself
having problems opening the door all the way.