Broken, warped, or rotted door frames can ruin a great door. They might even be preventing your door from opening or closing properly. If the problem area is confined to just one of the tall side jambs, or the shorter top head jamb (or header), you may be wondering whether to replace the whole frame or just that one part.
Often you can replace just one section or jamb of a frame. Other situations may require a whole new frame. Smaller door frame repairs can be done alone, but you may need assistance for heavier or badly damaged frames. Replace door frame jambs when damaged or impeding the door’s function.
Do you need to replace an entire frame or just part of it? Different door frame problems will require different approaches to repair. We’ll look at some common door frame types and some of the usual issues that affect them and give some tips on how to fix them.
Which Parts Of A Door Frame Can Be Replaced?
Take note of your door frame’s anatomy before embarking on a repair project, and try to gauge to make sure you understand which parts need to be swapped out.
Standard door frames consist of two long side jambs for the hinge side and the latch side and a shorter top head jamb (or header). These jambs are usually nestled in the architraves and enveloped in an outer casing. Most frames also comprise a sill along the bottom and a stop along the top to better seal gaps when the door is closed.
Exterior or outside door frames often feature rubber thresholds along the bottom for better sealing and water drainage. Frames next to other door or window frames may have mullions (or mulls) at the sides, and some have upper transoms for a windowed panel above the door. More ornate, high-quality frames may also sport horns, stops, and holdfasts.
Also, note what material your door frame is composed of. Most are wood, but aluminum, composite, and fiberglass frames are also fairly common. If you can easily disassemble the various pieces of your frame without damaging other sections, you can safely go ahead and source a replacement for just that component.
Common Door Frame Problems
The kind of damage or problem you have often determines whether you can selectively repair single sections or whether you should replace the entire door frame, possibly the entire door too.
Can You Replace a Split Section Of Door Frame?
Wooden frames may develop splits after burglaries, severe wind slams, or even just years of regular wear and tear. If only 1 of the wooden jambs is split, you can often get a replacement cut to your specifications from a nearby hardware store. The dimensions need to be measured precisely, and you’ll want to try to get one made using the same type and quality of wood to be as consistent as possible with the rest of your frame.
Replacing Swollen Warped And Rotten Door Frame Sections
Warping can occur in the presence of excess moisture. Moldy, rotten, or untreated wood may absorb ambient moisture, resulting in misshapen door frame jambs that prevent your door from opening and closing altogether. In these cases, repairing the frame piecemeal might not be possible, as other sections may have also incurred some moisture or fungal damage.
Carefully check the rest of your door, frame, and surrounding woodwork if there is any rot or warping in your door frames. These problems could be a clue indicating the presence of a leak in your house’s plumbing, rising dampness, or some other household maintenance issue.
How To Fix Gaps In Your Door Frames
Wooden Door Frames could have a missing, broken chunk in one jamb, allowing cold and draughts to seep into your house. If the gap is caused by a single broken jamb, it should be absolutely fine to remove just the offending jamb or section and attach a suitable replacement to the existing frame.
If you have a door that’s leaking draughts into your home, checking the sills and sweeps first is a good bet.
How To Replace Part Of A Door Frame
Gather your tools before you begin. Depending on the scope of the job, you’ll probably need some personal protective equipment, like safety gloves and goggles, in addition to mainstays of your toolbox like screwdrivers, a drill, a hammer, galvanized nails and screws, a utility knife, a spirit level, some sealant, and possibly a wood chisel.
Step 1: Remove the hinges and then the door itself to gain proper access to the door frame.
Step 2: Measure the dimensions of the jamb or frame component you want to replace. Be as precise as you can, and take note of any unusual details or properties it may have. Consult a professional at any moderate-sized or larger hardware store. They should be able to source (or make) a suitable replacement for you if the item is not readily available at the store.
Step 3: Remove damaged or faulty section. Remove any nails, and loosen screws with a drill or screwdriver. Use a chisel or craft knife to pry loose glued areas. Clean the exposed surfaces or architraves so your new part can fit snugly and sit flush.
Step 4: Install your newly purchased replacement jamb or door frame section. A spirit level will ensure that your freshly repaired frame is even, straight and plumb. Use glue and sealant, screws, or nails as appropriate for your type of door frame.
Step 5: Reassemble your door.
Tips For Fixing Door Frame Sections
- Insect damage from the likes of termites could be the culprit when door frame damage is limited to a particular part of the frame. In these cases you’ll need to control the pest problem, and replace the damaged door frame section, or else the problem will likely recur in a matter of time.
- Take note of the direction of the door, handle, and hinges when removing the hinge side of the frame. You’ll need to reconfigure everything the same way when you reassemble the door.
- Insect damage from the likes of termites could be the culprit when door frame damage is limited to a particular part of the frame. In these cases, you’ll need to control the pest problem as well as replace the damaged door frame section, or else the problem is likely to recur in a matter of time.
- Take note of the direction of the door, handle, and hinges when removing the hinge side of the frame. You’ll need to reconfigure everything the same way when you reassemble the door.
Conclusion
A damaged door frame is sometimes no more than a minor inconvenience or aesthetic issue. In other cases, the damage could constitute a severe security risk, compromising the entire entrance to your home. A moldy frame could also pose a hygiene issue and, in the worst cases, may even be a health hazard.
Speed up the repair job and save on costs by repairing only the affected part of the frame if you can. Replacement jambs for wood frames can usually be sourced at hardware and building supply stores and must be measured and cut to your precise specifications.
References
- https://doordodo.com/replacing-door-frame-without-replacing-door/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Door-Frame
- https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/How-to-Fix-a-Broken-Door-Frame
- https://info.betterdoor.com/blog/door-repair-center/door-frame-parts