Pre-hung door installations must achieve an even, level, flush frame with uniform reveal using shims to help achieve this aim.
Shimming should be added on both the latch side of the jamb as well as above and below where the strike plate will go, to make sure everything fits flush against the wall and is plumb and square with each trimmer. Use a framing square to ensure they’re square with each other as well.
Preparation
Installing a new door requires keeping in mind three key aspects: it should be level, plumb and square with respect to its opening; otherwise it will either need to be adjusted via frame modifications or altered during door hanging technique.
Prehung doors differ from slab doors by being sold in complete packages with hinges already attached to a three-sided frame, making installation faster in an existing door opening, saving both contractors and DIY homeowners valuable time.
Installation of a pre-hung door will require specific tools:
Measurements
Prehung doors are among the easiest doors to install and can be found at almost every home improvement store or lumber yard. Prehungs are particularly helpful when replacing exterior doors as they replace casing and trim as well. Furthermore, ordering prehungs is simpler as their frame already comes attached compared to ordering slab doors.
Before purchasing a prehung door, it’s essential that you know how to measure its rough opening correctly. These measurements will be used to determine the size and style of frame (including jambs ) needed; most standard interior doors typically feature 4 9/16-inch jamb thickness with half inch stud spacing on either side; additionally it should also include measurements regarding how the door will swing – whether left or right.
Shims
Shimming may be necessary if the frame (also called jamb) of your door doesn’t line up perfectly with its surroundings drywall, and to correct this.
Shims are typically used to level and plumb the doorframe before mounting it to its hinges, helping it swing open freely with perfect alignment when closed.
For optimal results, it is ideal to install doors after drywall installation but before painting or installing hard flooring. This allows some flexibility when shifting frames without impacting wall faces. To shim your new door, begin by placing some shims near its hinge side using your level to check its center in relation to its opening – add more as necessary and nail through these into its jamb for stability.
Screwing into the studs
Although it’s possible to use self-tapping screws directly into a stud wall, drilling a pilot hole beforehand will make the process faster and more efficient while also decreasing your risk of hitting electrical wires in the wall.
Drilling into stud walls requires using the appropriate tools and technique. Your choice of drill bit depends on whether it is being used to drill into wooden or metal studs and on the length of screws that need to be installed into them.
To ensure a professional-looking installation, carefully monitor the door frame level with each shim. For optimal results, it should be plumb, flush with the wall, and have an uniform 1/8-inch gap between its top edge and the floor; otherwise it could stick or swing improperly.
Finishing
Use a level to check that both door and frame are plumb, flush with the wall, and neatly in their jambs. Consider installing threshold and weatherstripping to keep drafts, pests and moisture at bay.
Your door purchase options range from slab doors without hinges or frames to pre-hung options with all these components included in the package. Your decision depends on your project scope; whether the door will be used in new construction or to replace an existing exterior/interior door. If the door will be exposed to weather elements, opt for one designed specifically to save both time and money during installation – as well as provide extra durability and security features that might otherwise go unused.