Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 7/27/2009

Question
I'm building a new house in Houston, TX area. The house finished Phase 2. It is processing on Phase 3, and was installed with sheetrock and the interiors doors.  The problem is when I stopped by the house last week I saw all the door frames (door cases) were installed inside the door structure with big gaps on 2 sides and on the top of the door cases. These door cases were only hold with some pieces of woods inserted between 2 sides of the gaps. Please see the photos in this link for more details:
http://www.dzidzom.com/Homes/8.DOOR_FRAMES_Issues

The superintendent told me that “Every door frame in the house is framed wider that the width of the door, which is standard building practices, it is called a rough opening.  We leave between 1” to 1-1/2” on either side of the door which is concealed after the casing goes on.”

However, I understand that the there are gaps existing between the structural wood frame and the door frame (door case) and these gaps allows you to insert the door frame into the structural wood frame. However, these gaps have to be filled in full after the door cases inserted.  I believe the door cases cannot be installed like that way which the door cases are only be hold and nailed in the structure frames with only few pieces of wood inserted into 2 sides of these gaps between the door cases and the structure-door-frames. As you see in the photos, the top of the door cases also is empty with a big gap around 2 inches and nothing holding the door cases to the structure frame of the house.

By this way of installation, I’m afraid the door frames can not be hold tight and strongly. In addition, the house will not be properly insulated because of these gaps (a door to the garage). I’m afraid that by times with changing of weather, and opening and closing the door will make the door cases not in shaped (the door cases will be shrunk, expanded, and warped). These problems will not make the door opens and closes smoothly later on.

Do you have any building code or standard practices of the “Interior Door Installation” of the residential building?  Would you please advice?

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from your earliest respond.

Sincerely,
Duke

Answer
Hi Duke, it is pretty common to make the rough openings for prehung doors wider and higher than normal.  How much bigger is up for debate.  Normally the door jambs are shimmed and nailed solidly once they have been installed.  And the major points of connection are at the hinges and and at the strike plate for the lock.  The casing or trim is also used to anchor the door in place. The gaps around the door frame should not be larger than the casing can cover.  Once the exterior door frame is anchored in place and the casing installed on one side, expansion foam is used to insulate the remaining gaps prior to the casing being installed on the interior.  Personally I prefer a good gap around my door frames because when I am installing the doors I don't have to fight to get the frame square and plumb.  Nothing is more frustrating for a door frame installer than not having properly sized openings.  Make sure the door installer shims the areas that receive the nails and you should be okay.  Also make sure your insulation contractor foams around all window and door frames.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com