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How to install a door jamb

A joints of a wooden frame being secured with a nail gun

Overview

A solid door jamb is important if you want your door to open and close properly. We'll teach you how to level and install a door jamb yourself. You will also learn how to trim the timber to size and where to position the door stop.

Steps

1Cut the timber door jamb to size and assemble

Measure the width of your doorframe and cut the top of the door jamb to size. Then measure and trim the two sides as well. Now use your nail gun to secure the top piece to the two sides. For best results, hold the nail gun square to the timber. If your timber has grooves on one side, make sure they face outwards.

2Use packers to level the left hand side of the timber door jamb

Place the jamb inside the doorway to see if the left hand side is level. If it isn't you need to level the door jamb with packers.  In this case, the base of the left hand is good, but the top needs packing. So we place one packer between the top of the jamb and the wall. 
Packers being used to level one side of the door jamb

3Nail the left hand side of the timber door jamb to the frame

Once the left hand side is level, make the edges flush with the walls and nail it in to place. If you have used packers, make sure you nail through those. Remember to avoid nailing near where you plan to put your hinges. Now check if the middle of the jamb is level and support it with packers if necessary before nailing it into the frame. 
A door jamb being nailed in place with a nail gun

4Nail the top and right hand side of the timber door jamb to the frame

Use your spirit level to check that the top of the jamb is level. If not, then pack it out and nail it into place. Then you can move on to the right hand side of the jamb, levelling it out with packers and nailing it into place as you did on the left. 
A door jamb being nailed in place with a nail gun

5Install the door stop onto the timber door jamb.

Measure the thickness of your door. Then mark out the position of the door on the top plate when it is closed. Use this mark to position your door stop. Measure and cut the door stop for the top plate and nail it into place. Then mark the lines for the stops on the sides of your jamb, measure and cut them to length and finish by nailing them into place.
A new door jamb positioned in a doorway
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.