Fitting a new external door frame

As mentioned in other pages, it will often be necessary to fit a new door frame as well as a new door.

This is a relatively straightforward process and begins with measuring the existing brickwork opening to check that one of Wickes hardwood frames, complete with a sill, will fit.

The necessary brickwork opening dimensions for Wickes door frames are 6' 10" x 2' 10", 6' 10" x 3' 1" and 7' 0" x 3' 0" with a little clearance all round, but it should be stressed that those dimensions do give about 9mm clearance, so that the frame can be set squarely.

Remove the old door and discard it.

The old frame was probably installed in one piece when the house was built and will have to be cut out in sections. Start by sawing through both side jambs at an angle.

Insert the end of a crowbar or similar lever behind the cut jambs and lever them away from the brickwork and separate them from the head and the sill. Cut through the head and sill in similar fashion and remove them.

You may find that the head extends into the brickwork at each end and the sections will have to be pulled out.

The resulting holes cannot be used again and should be filled with a cement mortar mix.

Remove all the old nails left in the brickwork and clean up the opening, chopping away any mortar fillets. Check that there is a damp proof course fitted directly below the level of the old sill. If this is damaged it must be replaced. If no damp proof course is in place, fit one.

Assemble the new frame knocking the mortise and tenon joints firmly home. Use a waterproof wood adhesive on the joints and screw them together. Only cut the sill if it is too long to fit into the space left by the old one.

Note that Wickes Hardwood frames can be used for inward or outward opening doors, simply by locating the jambs the correct way round on the sill. External doors should open inwards. Insert the assembled frame into the opening. Fit wedges under the sill to push it up against the lintel. Use a spirit level to get the sill perfectly horizontal. Use more wedges to get the jambs upright. Use a spirit level repeatedly to check the vertical alignment.

Measure the frame diagonals to ensure that the frame is perfectly square as Diagram K. Only when they measure exactly the same can you be sure that it is square and some adjustment of the wedges may be necessary to achieve this. Secure the frame to the brick opening using our 8mm x 80mm frame fixers. Drill holes directly through the frame and into the wall. Countersink the holes in the frame. Tap in the fixers and drive home the screws taking care not to distort the frame by driving them in too hard. Avoid siting any fixings where the door hinges are to be situated but do have at least one fixing just above or below the intended position of the lock keep for extra security.

Hang the door before covering the screw heads with a matching wood filler and before making good around the frame. This will enable minor frame positioning adjustments to be made if required.

Use a cement mortar mix to fill in the space under the sill and an external sealant around the jambs and the head.

See other related pages:- Choosing doors - Glazing doors - Hanging doors

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the product design, descriptions, specifications and techniques of construction are accurate at the date of printing. Wickes products will inevitably change from time to time and the customer is advised to check that the design, descriptions, specifications and techniques of constructing any of the products described in this leaflet are still valid at the time of purchase or placing an order. © Wickes Building Supplies Limited 2000. All rights reserved. DIYData.com has Wickes permission to reproduce this article.

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