Figure 4-22.-Plumbing an exterior doorjamb.
With the sill level, drive a 16d casing nail through
the side casing into the wall frame at the bottom of each
side. Insert blocking or wedges between the trimmer
studs and the top of the jambs. Adjust the wedges until
the frame is plumb. Use a level and straightedge for this
procedure (fig. 4-22).
NOTE
When setting doorframes, never drive any
of the nails completely into the wood until all
nails are in place and a final check has been
made to make sure that no adjustments are
necessary.
Place additional wedges between the jambs and stud
frame in the approximate location of the lock strike plate
and hinges. Adjust the wedges until the side jambs are
well supported and straight. Then secure the wedges by
driving a 16d casing nail through the jamb, wedge, and
into the trimmer stud. Finally, nail the casing in place
with 16d casing nails. These nails should be placed 3/4
inch from the outer edges of the casing and spaced 16
inches OC.
After the installation is complete, a piece of 1/4-or
3/8- inch plywood should be lightly tacked over the sill
to protect it during further construction work. At this
time, many Builders prefer to hang a temporary door so
the interior of the structure can be secured and provide
a place to store tools and materials.
Hanging the door and installing door hardware are
a part of the interior finishing operation and will be
described later in this TRAMAN.
PREHUNG EXTERIOR DOOR UNITS
A variety of prehung exterior door units are
available. They include single doors, double doors, and
doors with sidelights. Millwork plants provide detailed
instructions for installing their products.
First, check the rough opening. Make sure the size
is correct and that it is plumb, square, and level. Apply
a double bead of caulking compound to the bottom of
the opening, and set the unit in place. Spacer shims,
located between the frame and door, should not be
removed until the frame is firmly attached to the rough
opening.
Insert shims between the side jambs and trimmer
studs. They should be located at the top, bottom, and
midpoint of the door. Drive 16d finishing nails through
the jambs, shims, and into the structural frame members.
Manufacturers usually recommend that at least two of
the screws in the top hinge be replaced with 2 1/4-inch
screws. Finally, adjust the threshold so that it makes
smooth contact with the bottom edge of the door. After
a prehung exterior door unit is installed, the door should
be removed from the hinges and carefully stored. A
temporary door can be used until final completion of the
project.
WINDOWS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completing
this section, you should be able to identify the
types of windows used in frame structures, and
describe installation procedures.
The primary purpose of windows is to allow the
entry of light and air, but they may also be an important
part of the architectural design of a building. Windows
and their frames are millwork units that are usually fully
assembled at the factory, ready for use in buildings.
These units often have the sash fitted and weather
stripped, frame assembled, and exterior casing in place,
Standard combination storms and screens or separate
units can also be included. Wood components are treated
with a water-repellent preservative at the factory to
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