I’ve installed many doors (pre-hung and retro-fit), but now I have an opportunity to install a set of double doors. It seems like it would be pretty straight-forward to do pre-hungs, but I’m not sure how to install them when the jambs are already in place.
My first thought was to leave the jambs, install the doors with tight clearances and then trim the doors if necessary. That still leaves me with the challenge of keeping the doors “in plane”.
Now, I’m thinking that it might be easier to just pull the jambs and install pre-hung. The downside is extra work to re-install the casing, possible drywall repair and re-painting, but overall, it might be a lot less grief.
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They can be a challenge. I would first carefully check the fit of the existing doors. Then check the frame and confirm that it is PLS--"plumb, level, and square."
If it is PLS, then your existing doors make good patterns for the new doors.
Thanks, but there are no existing doors.
There's only a pocket door which no longer works. The customer and I both agreed that it wouldn't be worth the effort to open up the wall to repair/replace it.
P.S. I never knew that PLS stood for plumb, level, square.
FWIW, it's pretty easy to get a pocket door out of a wall. Figure out which side will let you get at the wheels, then remove a 10" - 12" strip of drywall across the top. I do this with a drywall saw and - if I work carefully - can usually save the piece(s) of drywall.Once you can can get to the wheels and track, you should be able to work the door out for removal. Working thru the opening, you can remove the old track and install a new one. Use the old drywall as a patch over the hole, install a new door and wheels, and you're good to go.
I can picture exactly what you write, thanks.
It's really cheap hardware so it wouldn't be worth replacing it with the same. And besides... (doesn't it always seem the the "and besides" reason is actually the real reason?)... the customer doesn't want to deal with a pocket door anymore.
Here's a tip back at ya: when I plan on re-using the piece of drywall that I'm removing, I use a multimaster. Less dust and a perfect fit.
Make sure the new doors are truly in wind. If they're not, it won't matter what the jamb is like; it'll be very difficult to get them to meet in the middle.
Thanks for the correct term "in wind" rather than "in plane".
No problem.
But don't get me started on guys who use the word "level" when they mean "plumb"
Usually I would say leave the jambs and mortice and hang the doors. But as I read your next post you have an existing pocket door.The double wall is weak to begin with because of the pocket door split studs. I would rip out the old jamb and install new 5/4 jambs with the hinges premorticed.Then you can hang your doors. Make sure the head jamb is dead level. Keep both side jambs off the floor so you can shim for height. This is important with double doors. If the jambs must touch the finished floor then do not pre mortice the hinges on the jambs.
mike