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detroitdiesel · Jan 28, 2008, 12:42 PM

Hello All,

I scored an awesome deal the other day. I bought an 32 in exterior door, got it home and realized it is a 6 1/2 jamb for a 2x6 opening. I have 2x4 framing. So I need to make this fit. Where can I get another 2 inches at ? Should I rip cut a couple of 2x4's and add to the existing opening? Any help will be greatly appreciated!! I really don't want to get another door

rtw_travel · Jan 28, 2008, 01:27 PM

We have one wall with a 2" step-out in it (where it must switch from 2*4 to 2*6 construction) and it is the stupidest looking thing ever. :eek:

You have not given any indication whether the inside of the existing exterior wall is finished or rough. The easiest thing is just to fur out the existing inside wall to 2*6 width across the whole length of the wall. Maybe rip a 2*4 and then add a strip of 1/2" plywood to get the 2" you need?

If that is complicated because the interior wall is already finished or perhaps you have a number of windows on it, then another option might be to use some decorative trim to make an architectural statement . i.e. build the door out with 2*6 for maybe 1 foot on either side of the door... and then use trim to make it seem like the two vertical edges between the 2*6 and 2*4 are actually posts. It might be nice depending on the way the rest of the house looks.

glavine · Jan 28, 2008, 06:26 PM

What I would do is just rip the jamb to fit your existing jamb depth which is probably 4 9/16
Just take a skill saw to the outside edge of the jamb. You may want to leave maybe a lite 1/16 heavy where you can plan or sand down the saw marks.

The easiest thing to do here is if you had a flush cut saw for flooring. It would make quick work of this problam, but if you don't have this then using the skill saw is the next best thing.

rtw_travel · Jan 28, 2008, 06:47 PM

I wondered about that too... but I assumed it was a pre-hung exterior door. If so, ripping the threshold would leave an exposed edge to the weather. I suppose you could leave the threshold at 2*6... but that would leave a odd bit on either side of the threshold.

detroitdiesel · Jan 28, 2008, 07:57 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the help I am still thinking also. Just been a very busy couple days, and since the weather isn't the greatest, I can start to think about this project. Yes it is a pre-hung door that were talking about, the inside is finished with almost an inch thick plaster, then the 2x4 , then the wooden clapboard siding. When I measured the new door from the backside of the brick-mold to the end of the jamb I got 6 1/2. I took off the door casing(on the existing door) a little bit ago and noticed that the brick-mold is about 1/2 in front of the wooden clapboard.

So I am not sure how the previous owners of the place mounted that door? So until the weather break a little more to get the outside casings off

Thanks for the info I am hoping to get this figured out soon!

hkstroud · Jan 29, 2008, 12:25 PM

You didn't give the measurement of the existing jams but sounds like you accidentally got the correct door. If you have 1" of plaster on the interior a 5 1/2" jam will not work. If the existing jams are 6 1/2" you just need to add 1/2" filler strip on the exterior before installing. Otherwise I suggest that you remove the door from the new frame, remove the brick molding, dissamble the frame and rip it to the required width. If you have a metal threshold and it extends out too far you may have to notch it for the brick molding.

detroitdiesel · Jan 29, 2008, 01:17 PM

The existing door frame is 4 1/2. I was brainstorming last night, Where the door is going is a hallway that's only 7 ft wide with no windows. I am going to remove the plaster and fur out the 2x4's and insulate the cavities. Then just re-drywall! What do you guys think?

biggsie · Jan 29, 2008, 01:46 PM

Would it be simpler to remove the door -- and fit it to the existing doorway

A little trim work and you are done -- making frame from 1'' x 4" even seems

easier than sawing down the frame -- Maybe you could dissasemble frame

and cut off 1" on both sides of top 3 pieces (sawing would be easier if they were

seperated) and fix bottom piece to look right... Reassemble door frame

glavine · Jan 29, 2008, 06:05 PM

OK you've answered some questions I had, what id do is se the door first, then it sounds like the jamb won't extend into the room that much. What ever it sticks into the room then just add a filler strip the backside of the interior casing. As long as it isn't like a 1" or bigger that would be fine. Keep in mind the filler strip needs to be flush with the outside edge of the casing to where it looks like its just part of the casing.

ballengerb1 · Jan 31, 2008, 09:14 AM

Glavine has nailed it but I have to spread some more points around before I can rate his excellent approach.

daisy27 · Feb 5, 2008, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by detroitdiesel

Hello All,

I scored an awesome deal the other day. I bought an 32 in exterior door, got it home and realized it is a 6 1/2 jamb for a 2x6 opening. I have 2x4 framing. So i need to make this fit. Where can i get another 2 inches at ? Should i rip cut a couple of 2x4's and add to the existing opening? Any help will be greatly appreciated !!!! I really don't want to get another door

Ripp the jamb on the door , put in another threshole.