New outside door off by 3/8 top to bottoom
#1
08-25-22, 06:13 AM
New outside door off by 3/8 top to bottoom
My friend asked if the door he installed is OK or NOT. The door is off by 3/8 FROM THE TOP to the BOTTOM. From what I had seen the reveal is very good all around. The door right now does close and locks with nothing hitting. I told him not to install brick molding on the outside yet. Would the door work for the next few years or fail in a year or so? He is going to install a storm door on the outside.
#3
08-25-22, 07:25 AM
Not enough info. Is this a door with jamb or just a door using old jam? Is the 3/8 a taper at the top, bottom or a combination of both or difference in vertical at edge or face over the height of the door?
#5
08-25-22, 10:52 AM
Group Moderator
If the reveal is off by 3/8", (assuming you mean the closed door is not flush with the jamb, and its sticking out at either top or bottom) then you need to adjust all 4 corners of the door a little over 1/16".
Verify this by closing the door until it is about 1/8" from the jamb (1 7/8" from being fully closed). Observe the gap up and down the side of the door. That gap should be even. I'm assuming that is what you mean when you say you have a 3/8" gap.
So, for example, if the door as viewed from the inside is hinged on the right, and the top left corner of the door is sticking in 3/8", the top left and bottom right corners of the door frame need to move *in* a little over 1/16"... while the top right and bottom left corners of the door need to move *out* a little over 1/16". Those 4 adjustments will equal 3/8" and will plumb the door with the jamb.
Verify this by closing the door until it is about 1/8" from the jamb (1 7/8" from being fully closed). Observe the gap up and down the side of the door. That gap should be even. I'm assuming that is what you mean when you say you have a 3/8" gap.
So, for example, if the door as viewed from the inside is hinged on the right, and the top left corner of the door is sticking in 3/8", the top left and bottom right corners of the door frame need to move *in* a little over 1/16"... while the top right and bottom left corners of the door need to move *out* a little over 1/16". Those 4 adjustments will equal 3/8" and will plumb the door with the jamb.
#6
08-25-22, 02:48 PM
When I say the door is off by 3/8 of an inch I mean from top to bottom, the top is INWARD about 3/8 of an inch. With a 6 ft level, the top leans in about 3/8. This is on both sides of the door. The top is level. If looking at the door from the inside the door is FLUSH or even with the frame. The space or gap from the door to the frame all around is the same. He said with a square in one top corner it is square (meaning the sides of the square touch both sides of the frame). In the other corner, it is off by one wooden toothpick to be square. The door was pre-hung and installed after taking out the old door. The only problem is that the top of the door leans in about 3/8 of an inch. He is inclined to just leave it. Did not know what to tell him?
#7
08-25-22, 03:15 PM
Group Moderator
So you are saying your WALL on both sides of the door is 3/8" out of plumb? Can't do much about that other than go with it.
Can't blame him when the wall isn't plumb. Installing the door perfectly plumb would create unsightly tapers on the interior and exterior.
Sounds like he did the best he could in an old house.
Can't blame him when the wall isn't plumb. Installing the door perfectly plumb would create unsightly tapers on the interior and exterior.
Sounds like he did the best he could in an old house.
