DIY Builds
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Can I make my own door frame?

The good thing is a door frame isn't expensive or difficult to build. A door frame is composed only of two-by-fours and nails. Creating a well-built door frame is mostly about cutting the two-by-fours correctly and nailing them in the right places.

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At the heart of every good door installation is a sturdy and accurately built door frame. If the door frame below the door jambs is flimsy or if it is not true, everything built on top of it will not work properly. On the other hand, if you do frame the door well, the door jambs and trim will look professional and the door itself will swing free and close tightly. The good thing is a door frame isn't expensive or difficult to build. A door frame is composed only of two-by-fours and nails. Creating a well-built door frame is mostly about cutting the two-by-fours correctly and nailing them in the right places. No other materials are needed and your only tools are a hammer, saw, level, and measuring tape. Tip Generally a door's rough opening will be 2 inches wider and 2 to 2-1/2 inches taller than the actual door size. This accounts for 3/4 inch jambs and bottom threshold. For a pre-hung 36 inch wide by 80 inch tall door with threshold, the finished rough opening would be 38 inches wide by 82 inches tall. It is best to know the actual door and manufacturers rough opening recommendations before starting.

How a Good Door Frame Is Built

Top of the Door

Header : The header is a horizontal two-by-four that runs the width of the door frame. It is the top-most part of the door frame. The top of the door's exposed casing will attach to the header. : The header is a horizontal two-by-four that runs the width of the door frame. It is the top-most part of the door frame. The top of the door's exposed casing will attach to the header. Short Support Studs: Short vertical studs run between the header and the top plate. Definition The top plate is a doubled-up series of two-by-fours that run continuously around the perimeter of a room or the home. The top plate is already part of the house and is not part of the door frame construction.

Bottom of the Door

A horizontal two-by-four bottom (or sole) plate rests on the home's subfloor. The building elements that form the sides of the door—the king stud and the jack stud—rest on the bottom plate. The sole/bottom plate might already be in place or you may need to add it.

Sides of the Door

King Stud : The king stud is a vertical two-by-four that runs from the sole plate to the top plate. The top of the king stud touches the bottom of the top plate. : The king stud is a vertical two-by-four that runs from the sole plate to the top plate. The top of the king stud touches the bottom of the top plate. Jack Stud: The jack stud is a vertical two-by-four that runs from the sole plate to the header. The top of the jack stud touches the bottom of the header and supports the header.

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