If you need to increase the height of a door within its frame, the process involves adjusting the door frame itself, specifically focusing on the top jamb. This adjustment allows the entire door unit to be repositioned upwards within the wall opening.
Adjusting the Door Frame for Increased Height
According to building practices for addressing height issues with a door frame, the primary adjustment point is the top jamb. This process requires carefully dismantling parts of the existing frame to create space for repositioning.
Here are the steps involved:
- Remove Door Casing: Begin by carefully removing the trim or casing from around the door frame using a pry bar. This exposes the jambs and the shims behind them.
- Remove Specific Jambs:
- If you only need to adjust one side of the frame, remove the top jamb and the knob-side jamb using a pry bar.
- If adjustments are needed on both sides of the frame, remove the hinge-side jamb as well.
- Remove Shims: Once the jambs are removed, clear out the shims that were positioned behind them. These shims were used to level and secure the original frame, and removing them is necessary to allow the frame to be moved.
By removing the casing, the relevant side jambs, the top jamb, and the shims, you create the necessary clearance to reposition the top jamb upwards, effectively raising the height of the door opening and thus the door itself. The frame can then be re-shimmed and secured in its new, higher position.
