Installing Interior Doors

Richie-C

I'm installing some new pre-hung interior doors in my home. Here is the scenario--I tried installing one today. My rough opening is 33" wide and the Masonite door I am installing is a 32 x 80. It fits into the rough with some tapping persuasion and a 1x up top for fill. Ar first I was worried that it was too tight, but the doors opens and closes nicely and is perfectly plumb and level. Is this snug fit going to cause problems down the road? Or is it ok as long as it opens and closes nicely??

Thanks,

Richie

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Richie-C

dayspring

If everything is plumb and square, door margin (gap between door and jamb) is proper (1/8") and consistant, I don't see any problem. A properly installed door unit would be shimmed so it would stay in place anyway. For future reference, a door opening should be framed 2" over the door size, 32" should be 34", etc. This allows for shimming to plumb and square door unit in a out of wack opening.

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RowdyRed94

+1. Your only real concern is the header. You don't want that tight to allow for settling. I don't even shim single door headers - just let the casing carry the head jamb so if the wall does settle it's an easy adjustment.

We frame 2-1/4 over for single doors and 2-1/2 over for double. If the jamb is 3/4 on each leg, that leaves you with 3/4 inch to split on either side for shimming.

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Richie-C

Thanks for the reply--the header has plenty of room--the sides are tight, but the door opens and closes just right. I have four more to do, so I was nervous to keep going with that method. I could just get narrower doors and shim the heck out of em.

Thanks!

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Richie-C

dayspring

True if you leave that much room, it may not sag, however if you are using a 2 x 10 or 12 header, as you should, you'll never have a sag in a 3 ft opening. I never, ever frame with less than a 2 x 10 header. You may want to take precautions installing double doors but again, a 2 x 12 header, crowned when built and installed, is not likely to sag, Never seen one do it yet. Not in a 6 ft opening. Anyway, we've all got our ways and ideas. That is what mekes carpentry interesting for me.

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