Installing Prehung Entry Doors

[Unregistered]

I bought an entry door to install. We plumbed it and everything but when i try to close the door, the top doornob corner of the door hits the side frame and you have to lift up on the door to close it.

as for that, the gap between the top hinge and the frame is but wider then the gap between the bottom hinge and the frame.

anyone know what causes this to happen?

if this is unclear, please let me know.

[bmwpower]

The jamb might not be square or ....

Try shimming the side of the top hinge. This should close the jamb at the hinge and therefore push the opposite side enough so the door clears the jamb.

[Unregistered]

if i shim the side of the top hinge, wouldnt that push the door over more at the other top where it is hitting?

[Mr T]

Check your door instructions. SOme doors want shims at certain spots.
Many doors come with a few screws missing from the hinges. You shim up at the hinge, then drive a 3" screw into those holes which attaches your hinges, and the door frame to your wall.

Measure your diagonals (top right corner of the frame to bottom left, top left to bottom right.) This will tell you if the frame is square.

[bmwpower]

if i shim the side of the top hinge, wouldnt that push the door over more at the other top where it is hitting?

Is the door hitting the tread or the top corner of the frame (opposite top hinge)?

If it's hitting the tread, try adjusting the tread height. You should have screws underneath the protective coating that raise or lower the tread height.

If it's hitting the top corner of the frame, you may need to shim as stated before.

You said it's plumb, but is it level? The frame may be racked in which case shims under the hinge side of the lower frame may bring it back to square.

[Unregistered]

it is hitting the top corner os the frame (opposite top hinge).

the lower frame is level, along with the sides.


Is the door hitting the tread or the top corner of the frame (opposite top hinge)?

If it's hitting the tread, try adjusting the tread height. You should have screws underneath the protective coating that raise or lower the tread height.

If it's hitting the top corner of the frame, you may need to shim as stated before.

You said it's plumb, but is it level? The frame may be racked in which case shims under the hinge side of the lower frame may bring it back to square.

[Wgoodrich]

It sounds like the lock side is hanging down lower than it should. I would try putting a pry bar under the door lock side of the frame and pry up a bit. If you have a threshhold attached to the door frame at the bottom and sides then pry under the threshold after you loosen the screws of the threshold. Sounds like if the threshold is attached to the door frame when you screwed down the threshold you pulled that side down causing the top frame to be unlevel causing the door to hit the top frame on the lock side.

Loosen the screws of the threash hold and pry the threashold up a bit as well as the door frame if attached to the threshhold then shim under the threshold to keep in place.

If the threashold is not attached then pry the lock side of the door frame up a bit and shim under that side of the frame. Then reset shims and nails to hold in place once you square up your door frame to the door.

You may have had an unlevel or non plumb studding of your door rough frame that caused this.

HOpe this helps

Wg

[Unregistered]

It sounds like the lock side is hanging down lower than it should. I would try putting a pry bar under the door lock side of the frame and pry up a bit. If you have a threshhold attached to the door frame at the bottom and sides then pry under the threshold after you loosen the screws of the threshold. Sounds like if the threshold is attached to the door frame when you screwed down the threshold you pulled that side down causing the top frame to be unlevel causing the door to hit the top frame on the lock side.

Loosen the screws of the threash hold and pry the threashold up a bit as well as the door frame if attached to the threshhold then shim under the threshold to keep in place.

If the threashold is not attached then pry the lock side of the door frame up a bit and shim under that side of the frame. Then reset shims and nails to hold in place once you square up your door frame to the door.

You may have had an unlevel or non plumb studding of your door rough frame that caused this.

HOpe this helps

Wg

what do you mean "screws of the threshold"???

i didnt have to screw down the threshold

[bmwpower]

There are height adjusting screws in the threshold (or at least there should be), you may have to remove the protective coating from the manufacturer to see them.

[Unregistered]

"as for that, the gap between the top hinge and the frame is but wider then the gap between the bottom hinge and the frame."

This is the first problem. Fix this and the rest will probably take care of it'self.

Now this assumes that the door was hung correctly. That all of the hinges are morticed an equal amount into the door and the jamb and that none of the hinges are bent.

Remove the door from the jambs. You need a good level or straight edge that can span all of the hinges. Remove any shims and fastners on the top and latch side.

Shim by each hing until the hinge side jamb is plumb and FLAT AGAINST the straight edge.

Then attach the hinge side securely including one long screw through each hinge to the framing. You should have equal gap along the hinge side.

Then reinstall the door.

check the gap between the door and the top. Shim the top and fasten until you have equal gap all along the top.

Then likewise shim the latch side until you have equal gaps on the lenght of the door on the latch side.