How to Replace the Drywall Window Jamb With Wooden Jambs

Classic wooden window jambs on new homes are often an upgrade. To lower costs, many new home buyers skip the upgrade and opt for simple drywall jambs without trim around their windows. You can remove the drywall jambs and add wooden jambs in their place. The new wooden jambs are called extension jambs because they extend the window frame out to the surface of the surrounding wall. Adding wooden jambs gives windows a more traditional look than the painted drywall.

Utility knife
Stiff putty knife
Flat pry bar
Tape measure
Table saw
1-by-6 lumber
Miter saw
Wooden shims
Level
Finish nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Push the point of the drywall knife into the wall about 1 inch to the left of the window until it encounters resistance, which is the metal corner bead. Work the knife blade away from the window until it reaches the edge of the metal corner bead. Cut into the drywall along the outside edge of the corner bead from the top of the window to the bottom. Repeat this step on the top, bottom and right side of the window.
- 2
  Insert the putty knife behind the corner bead and pry it away from the wall. Remove the corner bead to expose the edge of the drywall window jamb on all four sides of the window.
- 3
  Pry the drywall window jamb away from the rough wall frame with the flat pry bar. The rough frame is made from 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber and the existing window is fastened to it.
- 4
  Measure from the window at the point where the new wooden jamb will butt against it to the surface of the wall. Take several measurements on each side and on the top and bottom to determine the width of the new wooden jamb.
- 5
  Set the table saw fence to the window jamb width. Place the 1-by-6 lumber against the fence, turn the saw on and feed the lumber through the blade to cut it to the jamb width.
- 6
  Measure the height of the window opening in the rough frame from the bottom of the rough frame to the top on each side. Mark the new window jamb lumber with the measurements. Place the lumber on the miter saw with the cut angle set to 0 degrees and cut the pieces to fit in the rough frame.
- 7
  Place the two pieces in the window opening with the edges butted against the existing window frame. Use the level to check the pieces for plumb -- vertically level. Place wooden shims behind the jambs at the top or bottom to adjust their fit against the window and to make them plumb if necessary.
- 8
  Nail the two pieces to the rough frame with finish nails. Place two nails at the top, two nails every 16 to 24 inches, and two nails at the bottom.
- 9
  Measure the distance between the two new side jambs. Transfer the measurement to the window jamb stock cut previously and cut the pieces to length on the miter saw. Place the pieces in the window opening at the top and bottom. Check for level and adjust with shims behind the pieces as necessary. Nail the pieces in place.

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