This DIY project is an open-and-shut case
Whether your door frame is broken beyond repair or you're looking to install a different-size door than you currently have, knowing how to replace a door frame yourself can come in handy. Keep in mind that unless you've done a similar project, you may run the risk of damaging your door due to misalignment or structural issues. When in doubt, talk to a pro about installing or repairing a door frame.
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, you can't repair wood rot and it tends to get much 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. If you have any questions about whether or not to replace the door frame or just would like a professional’s opinion, speak with a local door repair pro.
Before breaking out the tool chest to replace the door frame, you must first get prepared. Start by measuring the current door frame’s dimensions, so that you know exactly what size to buy for the new one. You can purchase a new door frame at any home improvement store, and it’s smart to make sure that you have the new frame before removing the old one.
You’ll also want to gather and place the necessary tools and supplies nearby before you start this project.
After preparation, 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. If you’re unsure where the door jamb is, it’s usually the part of the door that runs vertically alongside the door itself.
Since doors are often large and heavy, it's helpful to have a partner who can help stabilize the door while you're removing it.
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.
To make removing the trim easier and minimize damage to the wall, carefully run a utility knife beneath the edges of the trim where it meets the wall and door jambs. Don't try to remove the trim with the knife; simply use it to slightly loosen the edges.
Next, place a chisel between the wall and trim and gently tap it with a hammer to loosen the trim. Repeat this step along the trim's length. Once you've loosened the trim all the way around, grab a flat edge pry bar to carefully remove the trim and set it aside.
If the removed trim is still in good condition, you can save it and reinstall it after you install your new door frame. If it only has a few door trim issues, like gaps or a caulk refresh, you should be able to make those repairs as well. If beyond repair, you’ll need to re-install the door trim yourself.
Shims are little flat wood pieces tucked between the door frame's jambs and rough opening. They're used to level the door and make it plumb. Not all door frames have them, but most do. If you have shims, you'll need to remove them before installing your new frame.
The process for removing them is similar to removing the old trim. Simply tuck your chisel between the shim and jamb, then use a hammer to gently tap the shim loose. Repeat this step along the lengths of all shims before carefully removing them and setting them aside.
Use a power drill or screwdriver to unscrew any hardware on the door jambs, such as a strike plate. Before moving ahead to remove the door frame, you should also measure its length, width, and thickness with a tape measure. You can use these measurements as a reference when purchasing new door frame kits.
After measuring the door frame, you can go ahead and remove 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. After you make a single cut, use your pry bar to loosen and remove all three jambs.
If you're planning to reinstall your existing door in the new frame, your best bet is to buy a door frame kit. Door frame kits are less expensive than prehung doors, which include both the frame and a new door. If you have a prehung door, you can skip this step.
If you opted for a door frame kit, now is the time to assemble it. These kits usually include two side jambs, a head jamb, and weatherstripping. Start by pre-drilling two holes on either side of the head jamb. Then grab the two side jambs, lay them on their narrow sides and place the head jamb flat on top of them. The top of the side jambs should meet the face of the head jamb.
Make sure the side jamb edges are flush with the head jamb edges. Then use your power drill to secure the side jambs to the head jamb by driving screws into the holes you pre-drilled into the head jamb.
Use a utility square to double-check that all of the corners you secured are at a 90-degree angle. You can also place the frame on a large piece of timber to ensure all of the jambs are plumb and level.
Once you verify the 90-degree angle, you can use a hammer and nails to fasten a diagonal piece of timber across both corners to keep the angle in place. You'll remove this piece of timber after installing the frame.
Next, grab the door frame (or prehung door) and place it in the rough opening where the old door frame used to be. Now use a pencil to mark where you'll hammer the nails.
Begin with the jamb that will hold the door's hinges. Mark your first nail point about 100 millimeters from the jamb's bottom. Then mark the rest of your nail points, which should be spaced approximately 450 millimeters apart. Add as many nail points as that spacing will allow.
Use a hammer to drive nails into each of the nail points you marked during the previous step, starting with the hinge-side jamb and working your way around. While you're doing this, periodically use a level to ensure the jambs remain plumb while you're securing them.
If you can't quite get your door frame plumb, insert shims between the wall and the jambs until it's plumb. You might need to do this on both jamb sides, as well as the top (where the head jamb is). Always double-check with a level to make sure. When you're done, you can use a utility knife to score the shims to ensure they're flush with your wall.
If you have a prehung door, you can skip this step. If you need to hang your own door, now is the time to do it. Start by gently setting the door in the frame. Then align the hinges in the correct location and use a power drill to drive screws through them, securing them to the frame. This is also a good time to install the strike plate or any other necessary hardware.
When you initially install a door frame, you'll often find small gaps around the frame's edges where it meets the wall. Insert a little bit of foam insulation into any gaps to provide proper insulation. Then wait for the foam to dry before proceeding to the next step, usually up to 24 hours.
Now that you've installed the door frame, it's time to reinstall your trim. If your old trim is in good shape, you can simply nail it back to where it was before you removed it. If not, you'll want to buy new trim and complete the same process.
Once you nail the trim back in place, apply a small amount of caulk around the edges of the entire length of the trim. Once the caulk is dry, your new door frame should be safe and ready to use!
Now that you know how to replace a door frame, use these tips to help make this project run smoothly.
Consider a prehung door: Prehung doors are more expensive than door frame kits, but they're typically the best option if your existing 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: Before removing your old door and frame, make sure they're both level and plumb. If they're not, you'll probably need additional shims for your new door frame.
Take accurate measurements: Before replacing your door frame, take accurate measurements of your existing frame so you can get the perfect fit, resulting in 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.
Not sure if door frame replacement is your forte? Talk to a local handyperson about handling this project for you. Hiring a handyperson costs anywhere from $65 to $125 per hour. If your door frame project is a little more complicated, you may need to talk to a professional door repair pro.
When hiring a pro, 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.
When replacing interior doors, either through a pro or yourself, it’s important to purchase a new door that will fit within your existing opening to avoid paying extra costs.
A door jamb is one component of a door frame. Door frames usually comprise three door jambs, including two side jambs, aka vertical planks, and one head jamb that sits along the top of the frame horizontally.
You can definitely replace a door frame without replacing the door provided your new frame fits your existing door. If you go this route, only buy a door frame assembly kit rather than a prehung door since the latter comes with a new door.
A slab door is a standalone door that's not attached to a frame. A prehung door includes a slab door, a door frame, and the hardware necessary for installing it, like hinges.
