How to replace a door frame

If your doorframe is damaged or just old and needs replacing, here's how you do it.

Level of difficulty

Level 3 – Advanced

What you need

• Safety goggles
• Screwdriver
• Chisel
• Crowbar
• Door frame
• Hacksaw
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• DPC strips
• Bituminous emulsion
• Hammer
• Nails
• Thin pieces of wood
• Mortar
• Mastic sealant
   

The steps to follow

1. Measure the width and height of your door opening. Extend an additional 10 cm (4 in) outward to allow for the planned doorframe. Based on this measurement, purchase a standard doorframe from your local DIY shop.
2. First you'll need to remove the old doorframe. Chop away the plaster around the door opening with a chisel to expose the doorframe.
3. With a saw, cut through any fixings that is holding the doorframe.
4. After you've loosened the doorframe, saw off the top-centre portion of the head and the sides of the frame (jambs). Saw off at a 45 degree angle to make it easier to lever out the jambs.
5. Remove the upper corners of the frame and break away any head horns from the masonry.
6. Use a crowbar to lift the door frame out.
7. Remove any debris and apply DPC strips to the underside of the door opening.

Note:
A DPC strip will prevent moisture from penetrating into the middle layer of the brickwork. Coat the nails that you'll be using to secure the DPC strip with bituminous emulsion.

8. Position the new frame in the door opening and wedge it in place with pieces of wood. Check that the frame is straight and centred with a spirit level.
9. Drill three holes along each jamb to fit the screws. These holes should be evenly positioned along each jamb.
10. Secure the door frame with screws.
11. Fill any gaps around the door frame with mortar.
12. Let the mortar set and harden, then apply mastic sealant around the outer edge of the frame.
13. Now that the doorframe is in place, you're ready to fit the door.

Note:
When fitting a steel or plastic frame, you’ll need to level the sill on a bed of mortar then secure it with screws along the doorframe. Seal all the joints with mastic sealant.