Changing Out Door Frame

First remove the existing door trim and frame.

Changing out door frame.

Begin by removing the screws from the door knob on the interior side of your door. After the door frame is out check the condition of the framing and subflooring in the sill area. Then install a pre hung door and replace the trim. You may want to use both nails and putty in order to ensure that the frame is securely attached around the door.

Our brick opening was level and plumb but this isn t always the case. Leave the hinges on the door. Use a cordless gun to unscrew the hinges from the jamb. Use a utility knife to cut through the paint and caulk where the casing meets the door jamb siding and miter joint.

Gently hammer the frame in the direction necessary to level out both sides of the frame. Remove the two screws from the latch plate on the edge of the door and remove the latch from the opening. Use a flat pry bar to remove the door casing being careful not to damage adjoining surfaces. Place the door with the exterior side down across two sawhorses.

In some cases door latch plate mortises might need to be cut or enlarged. Find step by step project details here. Watch to learn how to install a prehung exterior door. This will help you measure whether the door is even or planed with the frame.

Be sure to follow any instructions on the wood putty container and allow for plenty of time for the putty to dry. Use a putty knife or chisel to remove any old caulking or thick layer of paint on the door jamb or siding. Use a small thick piece of wood to cover the area you are hammering. Use a mallet to straighten the frame.

If you have a little carpentry experience this is likely a project you can tackle by yourself. Make sure the door is closed while you straighten the frame. Remove the old door from the jamb. Cut out and replace any rotted wood.

This allows you to pull the door knobs off the door from both sides. With a hammer and wood nails or wood putty attach the pieces of the new frame above and to the sides of the door itself.