Making An Exterior Door Jamb

You now have a frame.

Making an exterior door jamb.

Begin with the mortises on the door then the mortises on the jamb. Fasten the 3 sides of the exterior door jamb. Mark this length on the 6 foot doorjamb plank and cut it to size. Measure the top of the door jamb.

It s much easier to do now before the hinges are screwed in and the whole thing is attached to the door. Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. Use shims to adjust the head and latch jambs so the reveal is consistent along the top and side edges of the door then nail the head and latch jambs in place. The door should be 90 degrees to the jamb.

Measure across the top of the door frame to the inside edges of the 2 doorjamb planks. Screw the hinges to the jamb using 3 4 inch screws. Cut or break off any protruding wedges that extend beyond the door 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.

Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction. Using a mortising template route matching mortises for the hinges on the door and jamb. Wedge thin wooden shims between the frame and the jamb so everything will be level. Place the doorjamb into the door frame.

Temporarily insert the vertical doorjamb planks into the door frame and have a helper hold them in place. Hang the door in the jamb. Drive all nails slightly below the surface of the jambs with a hammer and nail set. Cut one stud to the width of the door and place it on top of the door opening.

Use more shims if two are not enough. Overlap the shims by sliding one in from the outside and one in from the inside. Flip the hinges over and insert them into the cutouts. Insert the shims at the top on both ends and along the sides at the top middle and bottom.

Trutrim 37 5939 in x 6 8359 ft pine primed finger joint exterior door jamb kit. Make sure that the shims are tight. Insert shims between the doorjamb and the door frame. This is where you ll hang the door.

Nail one door jamb to the wood frame you built on the hinge side.