Doors and Windows - Pre-Hung Door Install
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gargutt
03-05-05, 07:45 AM
I'm renovating a basement bedroom. Will be replacing existing entry door, jamb and trim with pre-hung. Also, will be putting down laminate flooring. Should I put down the laminate floor first and set the pre-hung door & jamb on top of it, or install the door first then lay down the laminate?
XSleeper
03-06-05, 07:14 AM
Well, normally, the door would be installed first, and then the floor installers would come around and undercut the door with a jamb saw so that their floor would just fit underneath the door jamb.
Will your laminate flooring extend through the doorway on both sides of the door? Or will it terminate underneath the door?
If the flooring ends halfway through the doorway, I would first of all check the opening to see if the floor is level. Assuming it's level, I would notch the jambs equally so that the laminate flooring would fit underneath. Then install the door. The notched portion would be up in the air, but the unnotched portion would be sitting on the floor.
If the flooring will be going all the way under the door, then you might as well just set some flooring scraps on the floor, then install the door. Just be sure that the floor in your doorway is level, because if it isn't (let's say it's 1/8" out of level) then you'll have to cut one leg of the door jamb 1/8 shorter- since it has to sit exactly on the floor.
Once your door is installed and isn't going anywhere, take the scraps of flooring out and install your floor. Sound like a plan?
Will your laminate flooring extend through the doorway on both sides of the door? Or will it terminate underneath the door?
If the flooring ends halfway through the doorway, I would first of all check the opening to see if the floor is level. Assuming it's level, I would notch the jambs equally so that the laminate flooring would fit underneath. Then install the door. The notched portion would be up in the air, but the unnotched portion would be sitting on the floor.
If the flooring will be going all the way under the door, then you might as well just set some flooring scraps on the floor, then install the door. Just be sure that the floor in your doorway is level, because if it isn't (let's say it's 1/8" out of level) then you'll have to cut one leg of the door jamb 1/8 shorter- since it has to sit exactly on the floor.
Once your door is installed and isn't going anywhere, take the scraps of flooring out and install your floor. Sound like a plan?
gargutt
03-22-05, 02:52 AM
Sounds perfect. Just what I needed.
Lastly, this door is 30 inches wide. I understand that the rough opening should be 32 inches. However, the existing rough opening is only 31 1/2 inches wide. Will that be enough or should I move the stud?
Lastly, this door is 30 inches wide. I understand that the rough opening should be 32 inches. However, the existing rough opening is only 31 1/2 inches wide. Will that be enough or should I move the stud?
XSleeper
03-22-05, 06:18 AM
31 1/2" is probably the exact size of your door jamb, so that leaves you absolutely no room to shim and square. If your rough opening is not plumb, you'll run into trouble. If you can move the studs, that would be great, otherwise a shortcut would be to remove the jack stud on one side and replace it with a 1x4, then cut off the 3/4" remaining on the sole plate with a reciprocating saw.
gargutt
03-22-05, 07:56 PM
Thanks again. What I'll do is remove the jack stud and go with the 1-by.
When I'm putting down that laminate floor at the door jambs, how do you get the laminate piece underneath the jambs (assuming the doors are installed first)? Installing the laminate you have to "angle" the piece into the other and push down to lock in place.
I have 2 jambs to work with. With one, the laminate will continue into the closet. The other will stop mid-jamb, as that door opens into another room.
When I'm putting down that laminate floor at the door jambs, how do you get the laminate piece underneath the jambs (assuming the doors are installed first)? Installing the laminate you have to "angle" the piece into the other and push down to lock in place.
I have 2 jambs to work with. With one, the laminate will continue into the closet. The other will stop mid-jamb, as that door opens into another room.
XSleeper
03-22-05, 08:53 PM
Depending on which way your laminate runs, and assuming you will have a joint somewhere, lock your laminate down, then slide that whole piece under the door. If your laminate floor is parallel with the door when its closed, you could start with a piece under the door and work in either direction.
It will help if you calculate your layout to scale on graph paper and picture how things will work around your doorways. That way you won't run into a piece that's impossible to get to fit. It pays to think ahead, and I think you're on the right track.
If you can wait to put the doors in, then by all means wait. It will certainly make it easier to do the floor. And since you're doing it, and not some contractor, easier is better!
It will help if you calculate your layout to scale on graph paper and picture how things will work around your doorways. That way you won't run into a piece that's impossible to get to fit. It pays to think ahead, and I think you're on the right track.
If you can wait to put the doors in, then by all means wait. It will certainly make it easier to do the floor. And since you're doing it, and not some contractor, easier is better!