Installing a pre-hung door in your house may seem straightforward, but for your own safety it is wise to consult a professional installer if this is your first attempt at doing it on your own.
Begin with a level and double check that the hinge side of your jamb is completely horizontal (or plumb). Shim if needed before nailing into studs behind any shims.
Measure the Door
Before installing a new door, first make sure that its existing frame is square and level. If not, adjust by shimming walls until everything is even.
Remove the casing surrounding the door frame, and use a tape measure to take width and height measurements of its rough opening. For height measurements, pry away trim from jambs until studs can be seen; measure from one stud to the next in order to take your readings.
Once measurements have been taken, place a level on the floor of your entryway. If one side of the hinge is lower than another side, use shims under its hinge side to raise it up.
Shim the Jambs
Shims can help ensure the gap between door and frame remains uniform over time.
Start by placing shims on the hinge side of the frame. Attach these shims using screws or nails and make sure it is square and plumb by using a carpenter’s level to ensure accurate measurements.
Add shims to the latch side of the frame as necessary; when there’s too little reveal, add more shims; when there is too much, reduce. Repeat this process until there is uniform reveal across the top of your door. Next, use this same method to shim the bottom frame – then secure it to your door using finish nails.
Attach the Jambs
Make sure the hinge side of the doorway is flush with the floor while its latch side is slightly higher using a level to measure “reveal”, the gap between frame and wall, using 8d finishing nails with screws penetrating at least one inch into framing material for hinge side hinge. Nail through shims on hinge side using 8d finishing nails making sure screws penetrate framing at least 1 in.
Put temporary cleats (made of scrap lumber) along both sides of the jamb to keep it flush against the wall until casing installation, when they can be removed. Most interior doors come pre-equipped with casing attached; if yours does not, please refer to its manufacturer for installation instructions.
Attach the Casing
When undertaking either a new build or extensive remodel, prehung doors should be given consideration as they offer weatherproof solutions while simplifying construction by eliminating the need to build frames within doorways.
Pre-hung doors provide contractors and DIY home renovators with an easier, faster solution for installing doors quickly and efficiently. By pre-hanging multiple pieces in one step, this type of door helps save time when installing it into its proper frame and hinges.
Score the face plate with a utility knife and use a sharp chisel to remove excess wood, before screwing in the latch and installing hardware and testing the door for functionality.
Install the Hardware
Installing a new door can add safety, comfort, and lasting curb appeal to your home. While once an intensive task that required the skills of an expert carpenter to accomplish, today this project can be completed by almost anyone themselves.
Before installing your pre-hung door, use a level to check that its hinge side jack stud is level with its surrounding frame. If not, shim the frame until it is.
Shim the casing as needed; use putty that matches your door to cover up the shims; paint or finish as desired before hanging your door; it may even include installing a lockset!
Add Trim
Now is the time to add trim. This project can make an immediate and visible change to both your door and surrounding room.
Use a level to ensure the head jamb and jack stud on the hinge side are level; if they are, your frame can be installed without further preparations.
Repeat these steps on the latch side to level and plumb the head jamb and jack stud, as well as plumb and align the hinge side. Shim as needed until your frame fits snuggly within its rough opening without gaps larger than 1/4″ around it; nail any necessary shims at each location using casing nails or cement screws.