How to Install a New Door Jamb

The door jamb is part of the door frame which holds the door secure in place. The door jamb also has the recesses for your locks. This means the door jamb must be strong and well installed to prevent break-ins. Installing a new door jamb is necessary whenever you fit a new door in place. A new door jamb might also be required when the wood is rotting due to bad weather or a bad sealing at time of installation.

Jamb installation kit
Spacers
Hammer
Finishing nails
Level
Saw
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Measure out the area of the door and the jamb and compare the measurements to the rough opening already in place for your door. Widen the door or create more height by sawing away material if the rough opening is not large enough.
- 2
  Place the door jamb into the rough opening and place spacers or a shim in between the door jamb and the rough opening to hold it into place.
- 3
  Check the jamb using a level to make sure the pieces are straight and that the rough opening is not leaning in one direction. Adjust the rough opening by sawing away material if necessary.
- 4
  Nail through the door jamb frame as well as the spacer or shim to hold the door into place. Check the jamb with the level again. The shim will leave a 1/4-inch spacing called the reveal. This is common practice.
- 5
  Cut away the excess shim material protruding from the door jamb so that it is even with the rough opening.
- 6
  Nail any trim material that comes with the door jamb into place according to the instructions.

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