Replacing interior door & frame
 

In a bathroom remodeling project I have to get the new Jacuzzi tub
into the existing tight-fitting niche. I have removed the plaster and
gypboard lathe,
as the tub needs all the space between the studs at each end of the
niche.
Now I see that the frame of a door in the wall forming one end of the
niche
sticks out about an inch beyond the studs, making it impossible to
slip the tub into place.

My first thought was to notch out the frame to the height of the tub,
then
patch it up after the tub is in place, but it now seems like the
patching
would take a tools and a level of carpentry skill well beyond me.
Next,
I thought about removing just the offending side of the frame,
reinstalling it
later, but the way the frame seems to be joined together at the top
makes
this impossible with the frame in place. So, it looks like the entire
frame
has to come out, to be replaced with a new one or possible
reinstalling
the old one if I don't damage it too much.

So, the question is, how difficult is this job? My carpentry skills
are only
modest. I've seen that HO will install a new frame for $150 labor, so
it can't be too bad.

TIA

Ed

Here is how pro carpenters did it in my house. You will need a sawzall.
Carefull remove molding from one side. You will then see all the nails.
Cut them with a sawsall. The frame should now be removable. When done
replace frame and nail it and put back molding, patch holes and paint. They
had nail guns which helped avoid cracking molding.


"Jag Man" wrote in message
om...
In a bathroom remodeling project I have to get the new Jacuzzi tub
into the existing tight-fitting niche. I have removed the plaster and
gypboard lathe,
as the tub needs all the space between the studs at each end of the
niche.
Now I see that the frame of a door in the wall forming one end of the
niche
sticks out about an inch beyond the studs, making it impossible to
slip the tub into place.

My first thought was to notch out the frame to the height of the tub,
then
patch it up after the tub is in place, but it now seems like the
patching
would take a tools and a level of carpentry skill well beyond me.
Next,
I thought about removing just the offending side of the frame,
reinstalling it
later, but the way the frame seems to be joined together at the top
makes
this impossible with the frame in place. So, it looks like the entire
frame
has to come out, to be replaced with a new one or possible
reinstalling
the old one if I don't damage it too much.

So, the question is, how difficult is this job? My carpentry skills
are only
modest. I've seen that HO will install a new frame for $150 labor, so
it can't be too bad.

TIA

Ed

"Jag Man" wrote in message
om...
In a bathroom remodeling project I have to get the new Jacuzzi tub
into the existing tight-fitting niche. I have removed the plaster and
gypboard lathe,
as the tub needs all the space between the studs at each end of the
niche.
Now I see that the frame of a door in the wall forming one end of the
niche
sticks out about an inch beyond the studs, making it impossible to
slip the tub into place.

My first thought was to notch out the frame to the height of the tub,
then
patch it up after the tub is in place, but it now seems like the
patching
would take a tools and a level of carpentry skill well beyond me.
Next,
I thought about removing just the offending side of the frame,
reinstalling it
later, but the way the frame seems to be joined together at the top
makes
this impossible with the frame in place. So, it looks like the entire
frame
has to come out, to be replaced with a new one or possible
reinstalling
the old one if I don't damage it too much.

So, the question is, how difficult is this job? My carpentry skills
are only
modest. I've seen that HO will install a new frame for $150 labor, so
it can't be too bad.

If you have the skills to replace a tub and the surround, all the way down
to bare studs, you can pull and replace a prehung door. Hanging prehungs
was the first chore they put me on as a kid. Pull off interior casing, cut
the nails with chisel or sawzall, and pull frame from rough opening.
Installation is reverse of removal- you will need a few shim shingles and a
level. If you want pictures, buy one of the cheap DIY books at the big-box.
Nothing complicated, you just have to pay attention to keeping everything
level and square.

aem sends...

"ameijers" wrote in message
...
If you have the skills to replace a tub and the surround, all the
way down
to bare studs, you can pull and replace a prehung door. Hanging
prehungs
was the first chore they put me on as a kid. Pull off interior
casing, cut
the nails with chisel or sawzall, and pull frame from rough opening.
Installation is reverse of removal- you will need a few shim
shingles and a
level. If you want pictures, buy one of the cheap DIY books at the
big-box.
Nothing complicated, you just have to pay attention to keeping
everything
level and square.

Thanks. You encourage me!

Actually, the water damage to the door itself easily justifies
replacement, so
a prehung assembly would be attractive. however, I looked around at HD
(which is what I assume you mean by "big box" ) and they have
some prehung door/frame sets, but none with doors like ours which are
hollow core faced with oak. The HD ones seem to all be hardboard
faces, which
to me does more than rhyme with cardboard. I didn't see any frames by
themselves,
other than one with a 20 minute fire rating thst looked appropriate
for
a garage door but not a bathroom. Are they available?

Ed

Thanks, Art. Just what I needed. In my case there seems to be plaster
covering the gap, but when scraped away I do see nails. Only problem
is the floor tile was installed after the frame, so I will have to
contend with
getting the bottom end of the sides out of the cavity formed by the
tile. With
any luck the gap on top will help in that regard.

Ed


Here is how pro carpenters did it in my house. You will need a
sawzall.
Carefull remove molding from one side. You will then see all the
nails.
Cut them with a sawsall. The frame should now be removable. When
done
replace frame and nail it and put back molding, patch holes and
paint. They
had nail guns which helped avoid cracking molding.

"Jag Man" wrote in message
m...

(snip)
Actually, the water damage to the door itself easily justifies
replacement, so
a prehung assembly would be attractive. however, I looked around at HD
(which is what I assume you mean by "big box" ) and they have
some prehung door/frame sets, but none with doors like ours which are
hollow core faced with oak. The HD ones seem to all be hardboard
faces, which
to me does more than rhyme with cardboard. I didn't see any frames by
themselves,
other than one with a 20 minute fire rating thst looked appropriate
for
a garage door but not a bathroom. Are they available?

You have run into the big gotcha of the Borg and similar stores- they stock
based on 80/20 rule (80% of sales are for the same 20% of items), so there
is little money in stocking the oddball stuff. You probably want to try a
real lumberyard or trim mill, the kind that is in the nasty part of town,
not in an asphalt lake, and only open M-F 7-4 and maybe till noon on Sat,
since that is when their customers, working tradesmen, do their shopping.
Unless you can dig up the make and model of your door, it'll help to take
the old door slab in, and just tell them you need to match it. Worst case
scenario- they have to special order what you need from a door company. But
unlike the Borg, they will know how to do it.

aem sends....

Yes they are available. Just go to any real lumberyard. They will
have bunches of catalogues listing doors and windows. You should find
one to suit. If you are replacing just the jams and head (not a hard
job) they will have the right lumber and may even cut it to size for
you. Yes, it will be a bit more expensive than the big box but it is
only a one-time deal.

Harry K