Building An Exterior Door Frame

Measure your door carefully and cut the opening to fit using a reciprocating saw.

Building an exterior door frame.

Measure from the floor or base of the frame to. Use a level to draw. Here s what to do. Cut the head jamb to length so it equals the door width plus the thickness of both side jambs plus about 1 8 inch for door clearance between the side jambs.

Measure the right side of the door frame with your tape measure. Cut one stud to the width of the. Mark both plates simultaneously every 16 inches along their length for the studs. Then mark the location for the door opening.

Since the door opening must be bigger than the door in. Use a stud finder to determine the locations of your studs and plan the opening. Wind bracing the diagonal batten running from top corner to the bottom one will make your doors firmer. Use a helper to hold them in.

Start by laying the top and bottom plates side by side and measure starting from one end. How to build install an exterior door jamb step 1. On top of it exterior door shell made of wooden boards is attached. Make the opening the width of the door plus 2 inches 5 1 cm and if additional studs are needed a space for these as.

Build the frame with the lumber laying on edge on the floor next to where it will be erected. If your rough opening measures 82 1 2 inches tall cut the side jambs to length at about 81 inches depending on how much clearance you want below the door. Set them upright on each side of the door opening. Measure the height and width of the door using the tape measure.

How to do it determine door location. Cut two studs to the height that you measured using the electric saw. Once you ve determined the location for a new entry door check for obstacles in the wall.