Extending Door jambs on Entry Door????
#1
02-23-09, 07:55 AM
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Extending Door jambs on Entry Door????
Ok, so I remodeled the basement and the door really needs replaced. The basement was unfinished, so the past owner put a standard 2x4 fit exit door. The walls are built with 2x6 framing.
So I was expecting to be able to spend below $300 for a full glass pain entry door from Lowes, HD, or somewhere like that. Oh yes, Lowes has exactly what we want, but in a standard width jamb for $220. But to special order the same one with a 6.5" jamb would cost us $600+ .
Would it be possible to build my own extensions? If so, is there anything special that needs to be done besides just building out the jamb to line up with the wall?
The door setup is as follows.. an inswing RH setup.. So to keep the full range of motion for the door, I assume that extensions would have to be on the outside part of the jamb, before the brickmold. So my concerns were with leaks or something like that..
So I was expecting to be able to spend below $300 for a full glass pain entry door from Lowes, HD, or somewhere like that. Oh yes, Lowes has exactly what we want, but in a standard width jamb for $220. But to special order the same one with a 6.5" jamb would cost us $600+ .
Would it be possible to build my own extensions? If so, is there anything special that needs to be done besides just building out the jamb to line up with the wall?
The door setup is as follows.. an inswing RH setup.. So to keep the full range of motion for the door, I assume that extensions would have to be on the outside part of the jamb, before the brickmold. So my concerns were with leaks or something like that..
#2
02-23-09, 08:14 AM
Shop at a lumberyard or a door shop for it. (get out of Lowe's on this one!!)
Extending the jamb and the threshold is very doable with a few pieces of pine or fir trim ripped to the proper width and ordering the aluminum threshold extension that fits the threshold of the door.
You are going to find that huge price difference at a big box store. That's becomes the difference of a shelf item and a special order item for them and that's how they price things. Take what's on their shelf, and it's pretty cheap. Alter it and it gets pricey!!
Extending the jamb and the threshold is very doable with a few pieces of pine or fir trim ripped to the proper width and ordering the aluminum threshold extension that fits the threshold of the door.
You are going to find that huge price difference at a big box store. That's becomes the difference of a shelf item and a special order item for them and that's how they price things. Take what's on their shelf, and it's pretty cheap. Alter it and it gets pricey!!
#3
02-23-09, 08:26 AM
Super Moderator
And don't forget you will need a threshold/sill extension to match the door...otherwise no matter how well you do a jamb extension..the sill looks like crapola w/o it. You can order it wherever you get the door. It needs to be installed on the door before you set it. Just slides or snaps on to the front. Of course it will come with the door if you special order the wider jambs.
Out here they only stock 4 9/16" jambs...but they carry 6 9/16" jamb/sill kits right beside the doors. Makes it easy.
EDIT: Oops...didn't read Left's reply...he already said all that....duh!
@ Lefty Hey, while I'm here...how do you attach 2" jamb extensions? I've never had to do one that big before. Hand nail? Trim screws? I never did more than about 3/4".
Out here they only stock 4 9/16" jambs...but they carry 6 9/16" jamb/sill kits right beside the doors. Makes it easy.
EDIT: Oops...didn't read Left's reply...he already said all that....duh!
@ Lefty Hey, while I'm here...how do you attach 2" jamb extensions? I've never had to do one that big before. Hand nail? Trim screws? I never did more than about 3/4".
#4
02-23-09, 08:38 AM
Gunguy45,
I thought I was losing my mind as I read your post -- I distinctly remembered mentioning the threshold, so I dbl checked. (LOL!)
I attach a 2" extension with glue and 3" screws, predrilled and countersunk, and placed so that the outside casing will cover them.
I thought I was losing my mind as I read your post -- I distinctly remembered mentioning the threshold, so I dbl checked. (LOL!)
I attach a 2" extension with glue and 3" screws, predrilled and countersunk, and placed so that the outside casing will cover them.
#5
02-23-09, 08:40 AM
Super Moderator
OK, figured as much...was thinking the jamb would be prone to splitting.....forgot how much thicker the stop side is....double duh....
#6
02-23-09, 08:55 AM
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Great info fellas thanks.. I will first call around to some lumberyards and door shops to see what I can get. If I can't find anything I'll look for the jamb kit that Gunguy mentioned and order the aluminum piece for the bottom of the door.
So let me get this straight.. If I have to make the jamb.. I would just have to cut 2 in wide pieces, glue drill and countersink the wood screws on the sides and top.. Then culk the seem?
So let me get this straight.. If I have to make the jamb.. I would just have to cut 2 in wide pieces, glue drill and countersink the wood screws on the sides and top.. Then culk the seem?
#7
02-23-09, 09:04 AM
dirtmcgirt79,
If you wind up having to DIY, then yes, you just add 2" of wood to the outside of the existing jamb. I use trim boards (Trim aisle of the box store) not framing lumber. You might have to add a double or even a triple layer to get to 2", depending on what they have. I've never had to caulk the seams -- just sand them flush, prime and paint them. If there's a little line left where they meet, it's not a problem, it just becomes another detail in the jamb.
If you wind up having to DIY, then yes, you just add 2" of wood to the outside of the existing jamb. I use trim boards (Trim aisle of the box store) not framing lumber. You might have to add a double or even a triple layer to get to 2", depending on what they have. I've never had to caulk the seams -- just sand them flush, prime and paint them. If there's a little line left where they meet, it's not a problem, it just becomes another detail in the jamb.
#8
02-23-09, 10:12 AM
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
well, just called a small local door shop.. $251 for the exact door that we need with the 6 9/16" jamb.. excellent.
Thanks again..
Thanks again..
#9
02-23-09, 10:22 AM
Super Moderator
Good deal....
Yeah, lumberyards and door places are not as constrained on what they can keep in stock. Big Box places have to stock what corporate buys for them...period.
Glad it worked out so well.
Yeah, lumberyards and door places are not as constrained on what they can keep in stock. Big Box places have to stock what corporate buys for them...period.
Glad it worked out so well.
#10
02-23-09, 10:22 AM
Now THAT'S a no brainer!!
$220 for the door at Lowe's, plus the parts and work to extend the jamb yourself, or $251 to get it from the local shop, exactly like you need it.
$220 for the door at Lowe's, plus the parts and work to extend the jamb yourself, or $251 to get it from the local shop, exactly like you need it.
