Removing Metal Door Jams. Can it be done?

Hi there,

I'm new to this site. I live in a slab ranch that was built in the 50's (and it shows!). The walls are like cement. We have to drill to even get a nail in the wall. My problem is that all the door jambs in the house are metal and I would like to remove the closet doors and open the closets up to put in levolor type doors. Can this be done by a moderate DIYer. My husband is good at this type of stuff, but even he isn't sure how to proceed.

Any help would be appreciated!

Jeanne

 

korrysmom,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Door forum.

You walls are lath and plaster (or plaster over lath board), and they are like concrete because they ARE!

Removing the old door frame will probably require cutting them with a Sawzall about midway on each jamb, then bending the top and bottom half of the jambs into the center of the opening. The door frames were probably installed before the walls were plastered, so they could be nailed to the studs. If so, you might tear up a little plaster around the door getting the jambs out. Not a problem. Once they are out, install a wood jamb in the opening and then the casings. Sheetrock joint compound will work just fine to patch any places in the plaster that may need to be patched.