jamb conversion possibility?

Hi - I have an opportunity to buy a pair of metal clad french doors. I haven't seen them first hand, but they look nice and the price is right.

The problem is that I just found out that they are hung for a 2x6 frame, rather than 2x4 framing, which is what I have. These are metal clad on the outside, and I assume that the jambs are metal clad as well. I have put in pre-hung double doors, although a while ago, but it was all wood jambs and it came that way.

Do you think it's possible to cut down the metal jamb? I know that I could cut it ok, but can anyone give me an idea about how this might work out?

I wish I could see them first-hand, then I would have a much better understanding about what I'm getting in to.

Worst case, it seems like I could make a new jamb entirely out of wood.

thanks for any help that you can offer!

rob

 

If the jambs are clad, it is likely aluminum, and probably thin aluminum. They can be easily ctu with a good carbide blade, but you may have to do some re-wrapping.

 

thanks for responding - Not sure what mean about re-wrapping? Putting new metal on? The cut will be covered by trim, won't it?

It seems like if I take the jamb apart, I could cut an inch off of each side so that the doors stay centered. no?

thx

 

Really depends on the door as well, some French doors with metal jambs just have extensions that snap onto the std frame depth. Cheaper for the maker to do all standard frames then make extensions in various widths.

Unless they are pretty expensive doors (and even some of those) the frames may still be either wood or cellular PVC. And the trim doesn't cover the entire jamb when installed with the standard reveal.

You need to find out more details..are they metal inside and out (probably steel if so), metal clad exterior with wood interior (probably aluminum and possibly extruded aluminum frames as I mentioned above). Maybe they even know the brand...

 

After looking at the pictures and talking with the seller, it's now clear to me that these jambs can't be cut down.
These are eagle windows, I think a part of anderson.

Anyway, my next idea is to take the doors to the door shop and have all wooden jambs made and not use any of the old jamb. Is there a problem with this idea?

thx for helping out!

 

Are they inswing or outswing doors? If they have an interior extension jamb, they might be able to be cut down. If inswing, it doesn't appear they could be, and you'd still have a sill too wide. You might try to find out the cost of new frame and sill from the manufacturer. Making a frame yourself...I don't think you'll ever really be happy with it. Not nearly as simple as an interior door frame. They look like pretty nice doors.