I was leaving a job the other day when one of the general contractors asked me to replace the temporary french doors and install the factory doors. Just to be clear, I did not hang this door. When I got on the job, the frame and temp doors were already there.
I installed factory doors and found that when the stationary door is locking into place, the working door (when closed) touches the stationary door at the bottom and sticks in about 3/4″ at the top.
The kicker is that the trim–big thick oak trim–is up and job is 99% finished. Of course, the general gave me his puppy dog eyes and begged me to fix it.
I’m pretty sure that whoever hung this door did not check the jamb for plumb on that side and evened jamb up with drywall. So, without a major tear out of big, thick, expensive, oak trim (which the general really doesn’t want me to do because it makes him look bad), any suggestions? I played around with the door for an hour or so–screw here, shim hinge here, etc., but I was only able to bring it a little closer and, of course, then the gaps got all crazy.
Suggestions?
Replies
T-astrigal. Nah, on second thought, if its 3/4" out, you're gonna have to re-do something. That's not a shimming gap, that's like a gap in a politician's credibility.
"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
If anything in finishing is 3/4" you have to rip it out and start over! Good luck, i've been there too!
sounds like it could be cross-legged rough jambs
see if both sides of the door are in the same planeMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike i'm sure you are the same in that there is nothing worse than trying to fix someone's junk job! Easier and more peace of mind to just do it the way it should have been done to begin with.
The last time i tried it, i could have hung four or five doors in the time i spent making something wrong work.
I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, this is what I am stuck with. I will, most likely, have to rip out my trim and re-hang the door. :( Lesson learned: Don't take anyone's work for granted. I'll still get paid, but I'd rather be doing something else.
Yes don't get me wrong i would do it to if i am payed to do it. It just bugs the hell out of me that you know someone got payed well to do it so he did it in ten minutes and f&**)_ it all up but he actually made more money off the damn door than you or i did repairing it!
Entry door?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
The door is not an exterior entry door. Rather an interior entry door to the master suite.
Well, there's always the big hammer-drive the legs (WALL) of the jamb one way or the other to even up the alignment. Then you need to fasten that plate/basebd/jamb area so it don't move.
Move hinges in/out (not rocking or including rocking)
By the time you get done putzing, you might could buy new casing and install.............
Best of luck.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
FHB a couple of yrs. ago had a great article on installing french doors. It was a Cover story, bailed me out with it's info on one occasion.
Has anyone checked the door for being warped?
It sound like GC wants to save face by hiding the fact that something was done wrong. But that only makes him, and you, look like a hack. I've yet to see a large remodel where something like this doesn't occure at some point, often requiring trim, drywall, whatever.. to be removed and redone in the process. It's just part of the job. So the best way to save face is for GC to admit that something wasn't done right and fix it properly. It's a brand new set of french doors. Does he really want to accept a half azzed job with the initial installation (jambs), then have you hack it together to "save face"?
Take it apart and do it right. You'll both be better off.
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