Extension Jams

sdbrown1

Hello good people

I am installing new door jams into old framing, actual 2x4.
My question is, when I apply the extension jams, should I put them on the hinge side or the opposite, or does it matter.

Thanks in advance.

KentWhitten

opposite of the hinges and I know from experience why LOL.

if you put extensions on the hinge side, the door will hit either the jamb or the trim and cause your door to not open all the way and put stress on the hinges.

This of course is only if your door opens fully.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Same Old

Putting them on the hinge side is always a pain. The latch will hit the ext jamb before it hits the strike plate if you don't account for it with enough reveal. But with old full dimension 2x4s it's hard to find the right size jamb. Talk to your millwork supplier to see if they can jamb odd sizes for you. If they can't just remember to stay clear of the hinges and give plenty of room for the latch to clear the ext jamb.

The problem with putting them on the non hinge side is what to do about the threshold. If we're talking about a wood door with wood jambs you can mill everything exactly how you want it, but steel with an alum threshold can be a real problem.

Tom M

I would put them on the hinge side. The upper hinge screw needs positive attatchment it holds the wieght of the door, the threshold is an issue and the possibility of ever replacing the plaster or whatever you wouldnt need to reset the door. If the door needs to swing over 90 degrees and future remodel is unlikely then split the difference.

tcleve4911

It sounds like the only dimensional difference is OLD 2X4 = 4" VS NEW 2X4 = 3-1/2". A 1/2" ext jamb with a 3/8" reveal on the hinge side should not have the opening or rubbing issues as before mentioned .........

__________________
Back in Maine
Dubbin' Around
Doin' good stuff ......

KentWhitten

I hate to differ, but that's the exact situation I had. I furred out the inside of an exterior patio door ½" and when the door swung around, it hit the casing before it even came close to the wall.

Also depends on your hinges.

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

tcleve4911

You're absolutely right Framerman from Arundel, Maine. If that door is to swing all the way 180 degrees, the hinges HAVE to be flush to the wall plane. In which case all the extensions as well as the threshold have to done from the exterior.

__________________
Back in Maine
Dubbin' Around
Doin' good stuff ......

only126db

The door has to be flush with the jamb, put extensions on the sides that are not prepped for hinges or strike plates.

Trimcat

Absolutely put them on the non hinge side. There's no downside to that except the possible threshold scenario covered by Same old. Plenty of downside to putting them on the hinge side. That's been covered pretty well already..... I would add that strike plates are USUALLY made to curl around the jamb a little, so you would have to leave a margin to account for that, or buy an extended strike plate that would come all the way out to the surface of the new jamb.... trust me... put the extentions on the back side if you can.

RTRCon

The only reason I can see to put them on the hinge side is on exterior doors that swing in, and the drywall is in past the jamb All other cases I agree with them above.. Extention jambs go on the non hinge side..

dayspring

Non hinge if possible, many door manufactuers offer extensions for their thesholds(aluminum), I've done this many times

__________________
"Never met a man yet that I couldn't learn something from"
http://remodelingncarolina.com