Need some help...

5 years ago

I have a finished opening that i want to close off with a door. The open space is 32 and 1/2 to 32 and 3/4. inches wide. i want to recycle and reuse an old door which is 32 inches. can i make this work? TYIA.

Featured Answer

Lyndee Lee

5 years ago

The most important piece is the hinge side of the jamb. It absolutely must be right. The first time installing a door is tricky enough when the opening is OK so don't try an extra difficult situation for your first project. Sometimes reusing existing materials is more trouble than it is worth. You might be able to cut out the top boards and insert a prehung 30 inch door in your existing space.

You shouldn't need to remove the 1x6 boards but you will need to get behind them. Start with removing the casing around the opening so you can see the existing framing. Use a couple pry bars to get the boards loose enough to get additional shims in where needed. You will need at least a 4 foot level, but a 6 foot would be nice.

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Comments (10)

millworkman
5 years ago
Maybe, maybe not. You need a door jamb or frame to be able to install the door. Is that included in any of your measurements?
anniemac830 thanked millworkman
anniemac830
Original Author
5 years ago
No. It is a finished doorway opening. Looks to be 1x6 boards all three sides with standard trim around the opening. It is at the end of a short hall and opens into what is being converted to a bedroom. The door will provide privacy only not environmental concerns.
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millworkman
5 years ago
The finished opening in that case will need to be plumb, level and square, not different widths. You need to mortise (route) the hinges into the jamb and the door as well as bore for the lockset on the door and the strike at the frame. It can all be done skill level and tool dependent.
anniemac830 thanked millworkman
anniemac830
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Would it be possible to shim out the frame ed 1x6 as is to make it plumb without tearing out the board entirely? It's a difference of 1/4 inch on one side.I can manage the stop trim. lockset and hinges. TY
millworkman
5 years ago
Nope. Needs to be shimmed when being installed if you want the door to operate properly. The door frame MUST be installed be plumb, level and square.
anniemac830 thanked millworkman
anniemac830
Original Author
5 years ago
TY I'm going to try to pry and shim the 1x6 out a smidge to make that whole side level and plumb. We're only talking a 1/4 inch. I do have a nice long 4' level. I suspect the board is may be slightly warped. I'm pretty handy and have tackled many DIY projects with success. Thanks you for your input!
millworkman
5 years ago
You need to mortise out for the hinges on the jamb anyway so you may as well take it out and do it properly.
anniemac830 thanked millworkman
PRO
User
5 years ago
Remove all of that and do some proper carpentry. Which it doesn’t sound like you are familiar with. So, hire someone. Who will remove all that and create a proper jamb.
anniemac830
Original Author
5 years ago
TY for your comment as rude and presumptive as it is.