Hanging a new door from a worn-out old door frame has the power to dull its shine more than anything else. The best way to install or replace a door frame. The door frame kit must be assembled, the door frame installed, and the header and jambs maintained level and plumb.
While a new lick of gloss can often work wonders on a door jamb or frame, if the wood is warped or damaged, you’ll need to take more serious action.
You may even need to replace an interior door frame for an old door. Your door may stick or fail to close properly if the wood has warped or swollen and changed shape. Sometimes painting a dented, scratched, or dirty door frame won’t make it look any better.
The straightforward remedy in any of these scenarios is to replace your door frame. Fortunately, this task is simple. With the proper equipment and a willing assistant, it ought to be simple for any homeowner to complete.
Tools to Replace a Door Frame
- A screwdriver
- A pair of safety goggles
- Crowbar
- Spirit level
- Plumb line
- Chisel
- Screws
- Hacksaw
- Emulsion
- Hammer
- Nails
- Some spare wood
- Sealant
- A new door frame kit
- Mortar
- DPC Strips
Before You Start
Before you can start fitting your fresh door frame, there are a couple of preparation steps you need to take.
- Order the new door frame after taking measurements. To replace the current frame, the first thing you must do is obtain a door frame kit. If this is your first time installing a door, all you need to do is measure the rough opening in your wall. Measure the width and height of the door opening when replacing an existing door frame, but add an additional 10 cm to account for the new frame.
- You should have assistance because removing an old door can be difficult and labor-intensive. Gently push the door open and lift it off after tapping the hinge pins loose.
- Removing the old frame can be a delicate, detailed task in and of itself, so take your time and do it right.
The outdated trim or architrave should be taken out first. Take care not to harm it if you intend to use it again. To remove the architrave, ease it off while using the sharp corner of a chisel to wedge between the wood and plaster. Gently, take your time, and be careful not to damage the plaster. While large chunks of plaster require more work to repair, small scratches require little to no effort.
After that, take out all door hardware from the frame, including the strike plate for the door handle. If you plan to reuse this, clean it up and store it securely. Remove any excess plaster, caulk, or sealant from the opening to reveal the door frame.
Remove any fasteners holding the door frame in place by cutting through or pulling them out. Cut through the jambs once it is free. A pry bar or crowbar should then be used to pry the top-center portion of the jambs away from the masonry.
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The rough opening should then be cleaned and smoothed off.
Once the old frame has been taken out, you can start the task of installing your replacement door frame.
Steps for Replacing An Internal Door Frame
- The bottom of the rough opening should be covered with DPC strips. The door jamb, frame, and brickwork won’t be harmed by moisture as a result of these damp proofing strips. Apply a suitable emulsion to the nails you use to secure the DPC strips for additional damp proofing.
- Lift the new frame into the opening with caution, then secure it with wooden supports. Make sure the door frame is perfectly straight and centered by using a plumb line and a spirit level. Shims can be used to reposition it if it is out of alignment.
- Make three holes in each jamb to accommodate the screws. Make sure the holes are evenly spaced and are properly distributing the load.
- To keep the frame in the opening, drill screws into the surface.
- Fill in any gaps where the frame meets the wall with care. For this, you can use a particular door sealant, plaster, mortar, or another material.
- Caulk should be applied to the frame’s outer edge after the mortar has dried and hardened. Cut the caulk at the junction of the jamb and the wall using a utility knife.
- The majority of door frames are delivered unfinished because finishing them is a relatively easy task. Depending on your interior design goals, either paint or varnish can be used for this. You have the best chance to minimize any nail holes or other flaws if you exercise caution around them.
- Adjust your door to fit the opening. If you don’t know how, see our instructions for installing a door.
You might want to check your painting again after the door is replaced, paying special attention to the paint job near the trim and the hinges.
Replacing External Door Frames
If you need to replace an external door frame, it’s often better to do so using a pre-hung door kit. These kits are already weatherproof, so you can be confident of creating a solid seal between the door and the frame. You can be sure that the door will lock firmly as well.
To avoid leaks and dampness and to ensure maximum security, you must still make sure the door frame is tightly fastened in its opening. Sealant, minimal expanding foam insulation, and high-quality beds can all be used to accomplish this. But buying your exterior door prehung will make the job a whole lot easier.
Applying spray foam insulation between the frame and the wall should wait until the door and frame are completely installed. This will keep your house secure and insulated.
When Should I Replace a Door Frame in My Home?
Whether it’s your front door or bedroom door, if you notice any signs of door frame wood rot, it’s time to replace it. Unfortunately, wood rot cannot be fixed, and it usually gets worse over time. Signs to look for include dark spots on the wood, flaking and crumbling wood pieces, and misalignment that doesn’t allow the door to properly shut.
You’ll also probably need to replace the door frame if you’re planning to install a much bigger or smaller door than your existing door, or if the frame is broken beyond repair.
How Much Does Door Frame Replacement Cost?
The cost to replace a door frame ranges from $200 to $700, depending on the door frame’s style, location, and material. For instance, exterior door frames usually cost $130 to $400 to replace, while interior door frames cost between $120 and $230.
Additionally, soft wood door frames are typically the most economical since the wood is readily available and easy to work with.
How to Remove An Old Door Frame
Before you can learn how to replace a door frame, you’ll probably need to remove the existing one first. (If not, move on to the next section.)
To replace an old door frame and give your house an instant facelift, follow the steps listed below. If you need help, hire a door repair company in your area.
1. Remove the Door
First, remove the door attached to your frame. Open the door and use a screwdriver or power drill to unscrew each hinge from the door jamb. Having a partner who can support the door while you’re removing it is advantageous because doors are frequently big and heavy.
2. Remove the Old Trim
The trim around your doorway covers the door frame, so you’ll need to remove it to take proper measurements and make room for the new frame.
Run a utility knife carefully underneath the trim’s edges where they meet the wall and door jambs to make trimming removal simpler and less damaging to the wall. Use the knife only to slightly loosen the edges rather than attempting to remove the trim.
After that, to loosen the trim, insert a chisel between the wall and the trim and gently tap the area with a hammer. Along the length of the trim, repeat this action. Grab a flat edge pry bar and carefully remove the trim from the surface after you’ve completely loosened it. Set the trim aside.
When installing your new door frame, if the removed trim is still in good shape, you can save it and reinstall it. If it only has a few door trim issues, like gaps or a calk refresh, you should be able to make those repairs as well.
3. Remove the Shims
Shims are tiny, flat wood pieces tucked between the rough opening and door frame’s jambs. They are used to level and plumb the door. Even though not all door frames have them, most do. If you have shims, you’ll need to remove them before installing your new frame.
They can be taken off in a manner akin to how old trim was taken off. Simply wedge your chisel between the shim and jamb, then tap the shim free with a hammer. Then, carefully remove each shim and set it aside after repeating this process along their entire lengths.
4. Remove the Hardware and Measure the Frame
Any hardware, like a strike plate, on the door jambs should be unscrewed using a power drill or screwdriver. Measure the door frame’s length, width, and thickness with a tape measure before continuing to remove it. In order to purchase new door frame kits, you can use these measurements as a guide.
5. Remove the Door Frame
You can remove the door frame once you’ve taken a measurement of it. To do this, grab a handsaw and make a single horizontal cut through the middle of each door jamb, including the two vertical side jambs and the horizontal head jamb at the top. Use your pry bar to free up and remove all three jambs after making a single cut.
Tips for Replacing a Door Frame
Use these hints to make this project go more smoothly now that you know how to replace a door frame.
- Consider a prehung door: Prehung doors are more expensive than door frame kits, but they’re typically your best bet if your current door is broken. Buying a brand-new door and a door frame kit will likely cost more and take longer to install than a prehung door, which includes both the door and frame.
- Inspect the old door and door frame: Check to see if your old door and frame are level and plumb before removing them. If they’re not, you’ll probably need additional shims for your new door frame.
- Take accurate measurements: Take precise measurements of your old door frame before replacing it to ensure a perfect fit and a level and plumb door.
Once installed, you’ll want to perform wood door maintenance to extend its lifespan, including polishing and refinishing as needed.
DIY Door Frame Replacement Vs. Hiring a Pro
Are you unsure of your aptitude for replacing door frames? Talk to a local handyperson about handling this project for you. Hiring a handyperson costs anywhere from $65 to $125 per hour. You can save money by doing it yourself because replacing a door frame typically takes one to three hours.
While it is more involved than some other DIY projects, most handy homeowners who are accustomed to using tools and taking measurements can finish it themselves in a single afternoon.
Replacing a Door Frame: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about replacing door frames that may help you decide whether you should attempt the task yourself or seek assistance.
How Easy is It to Replace a Door Frame?
This is a medium to difficult job. You do not need past experience, but it is best left to a professional if you lack confidence in your skills, don’t have a lot of time, or are unable to get someone to lend a hand.
If you attempt the task yourself, it should only take a few hours, but you must first ensure that you have all the necessary tools.
What’s the Difference Between a Door Jamb and Frame?
Understanding the distinction between a frame and a door jamb is important if you’re replacing your own frame. The entire frame that sits around the door is called a door frame, whereas a jamb only refers to part of it (although there are two jambs in every frame). The portion of the frame that rests on either side, in-between the frame and the wall, is referred to as a jamb.
Can You Replace Just a Door Frame?
It is definitely possible to replace an old door frame without replacing the entire door leaf as well. Since you won’t be able to adjust the strike plate on the door itself, you might need to be a little bit more cautious when lining things up. However, it is possible and shouldn’t necessarily be any more difficult than installing a new frame and door leaf at the same time.
However, interior door frames are where this advice is more relevant. When it comes to external doors, you can easily buy a prehung door which will usually be more secure and more thermally efficient than the one you’ve installed separately.
When Should You Replace a Door Frame?
A door frame should be replaced if it is rotten or damaged. As was already stated, if the door is still in good shape, you don’t need to replace it.
Using a decorative architrave will hide any minor mistakes or cosmetic damage to the plaster around the wall, but it is important to work slowly and carefully to ensure the door is perfectly aligned and the frame is secure and weatherproof. To ensure a nice, smooth, clean, and expert finish when completely renovating a room, you can replace the door frame first, then plaster and paint.
Can You Replace a Door Frame Yourself?
In an emergency, you can perform the task of installing a new door frame yourself. However, it is best to use a helper when installing a full pre-hung door or a brand-new solid door.
Doors can appear to be surprisingly heavy. The reason your current door may swing smoothly in its frame is that the hinges are bearing the majority of the weight. You might be surprised by how heavy the door is when you take it off the hinges, especially if it isn’t hollow. Having a friend or family member available to assist will prevent you from trying to move it alone and possibly hurting yourself.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Door Frame?
If you decide to hire a pro to install it for you, it will cost about £60 to replace an internal door frame. This is based on the presumption that the task will take between two and three hours to complete.
This is only a general estimate, and many factors could have an effect on the final price. The type of material used to construct the frame and the size or shape of your door opening could all have an effect. As much as 100 pounds could be spent on it.
A slightly longer task is typically required to install an exterior door frame. When you consider how much more secure and energy-efficient it needs to be, this makes sense.