Making An Exterior Door Jamb

Temporarily insert the vertical doorjamb planks into the door frame and have a helper hold them in place.
Making an exterior door jamb. Drive all nails slightly below the surface of the jambs with a hammer and nail set. Use shims to adjust the head and latch jambs so the reveal is consistent along the top and side edges of the door then nail the head and latch jambs in place. Unless you are installing a prehung door you ll need to trace the outline of the hinges on the jamb and cut an indentation using a router or utility knife. Begin with the mortises on the door then the mortises on the jamb.
Nail one door jamb to the wood frame you built on the hinge side. Mark this length on the 6 foot doorjamb plank and cut it to size. Make sure that the shims are tight. Using a mortising template route matching mortises for the hinges on the door and jamb.
Screw the hinges to the jamb using 3 4 inch screws. Fasten the 3 sides of the exterior door jamb. Use more shims if two are not enough. Place the doorjamb into the door frame.
The door should be 90 degrees to the jamb. You now have a frame. This is where you ll hang the door. Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges.
Measure across the top of the door frame to the inside edges of the 2 doorjamb planks. Trutrim 37 5939 in x 6 8359 ft pine primed finger joint exterior door jamb kit. Nail this header top piece to the studs that you put on the side. Insert shims between the doorjamb and the door frame.
Hang the door in the jamb. Measure the top of the door jamb. Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb. Cut one stud to the width of the door and place it on top of the door opening.
Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction. It s much easier to do now before the hinges are screwed in and the whole thing is attached to the door. Cut or break off any protruding wedges that extend beyond the door jamb. After your three door frame pieces are cut to the correct size prime and paint them.
Flip the hinges over and insert them into the cutouts.