49er advice please

Started by P.C., Oct 11 09 08:57

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P.C.

Hey 49er.

We're now in the process of putting in a pre-hung door.  We have read dozens and dozens of 'how to' instructions, and ALL of them say you must use shims to assure the jamb is plumb.  But not one of them says anything about not having to use them if the frame is already perfectly plumb.  Is there another reason shims must be used  ?  Help.  
Sir Isaac Newton invented the swinging door....for the convenience of his cat.

49er

yes.....solid backing for location where you will drive nail, otherwise jamb will move or warp

P.C.

But why, if the frame is solid and square, would it...or could it move ?

lol....

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Sir Isaac Newton invented the swinging door....for the convenience of his cat.

49er

door jambs on prehung doors are usually soft pine.....most likely will bow when you countersink the nail if there is no solid backing

P.C.

The frame that the door jamb is going into is solid and square...you couldn't fit a piece of paper between the frame and the jamb at any point, from top to bottom.  Where would it bow ?  (sorry if I'm being thick here, but I don't quite get it)  
Sir Isaac Newton invented the swinging door....for the convenience of his cat.

49er@lunch

OIC...I was picturing you have the normally 1/4"-1/2" gap.  The way you have now you cannot put in shims if you wanted to.  (Putting on my engineers cap).. With your situation of full contact with the house framing, your door frame will now tend to get out of square as your house contract and expand as the weather changes throughout the year.  In addition, new framing lumber contains around 19%-20% moisture and will loose this moisture over the years...so expect some movement by this process

49er@lunch

49er@lunch wrote:
OIC...I was picturing you have the normally 1/4"-1/2" gap.  The way you have now you cannot put in shims if you wanted to.  (Putting on my engineers cap).. With your situation of full contact with the house framing, your door jamb will now tend to get out of square as your house contract and expand as the weather changes throughout the year.  In addition, new framing lumber contains around 19%-20% moisture and will loose this moisture over the years...so expect some movement by this process
 

P.C.

OK...now THAT makes sense to me.

There is a quarter inch gap on one side...snug down the other.  So you would recommend shifting it so there is a small gap on both sides and shimming it.  

Thanks 49er.    
Sir Isaac Newton invented the swinging door....for the convenience of his cat.