Doors - Removing A Door

If you only want to remove the door for repairs or refinishing, just carefully pry the pins out of the hinges and remove the door. But permanent removal of a door is a little more complicated.

To remove a door, closing the rough opening to revert the space back to a wall, the process is similar to framing the door - only in reverse; with a shortcut or two. Note: in most cases, doors, casing, brick molding, and jambs can be re-used if care is taken not to damage them during removal.

To remove a door

1. Start with the casing on the interior side of the door. Carefully pry it loose with a pry bar, being careful not to damage the casing.
2. Trim away caulking from around the brick molding on the exterior side with a utility knife. Carefully remove the brick molding with a pry bar. Remove the door and hinges from the door jamb.
3. Carefully pry the jambs out of the frame, and remove the threshold. If you encounter stubborn nails while prying casing, brick molding, or door jambs, cut them with a reciprocating saw. At this point, you can either close off the doorway, or install a different door.

If closing off the doorway, once you are back down to the frame add the bottom plate between the jack studs. Add cripple studs between the bottom plate and the header; spaced 16-inches on center for continuity.

Mending the Exterior

On the exterior side, the siding around the door will need to be replaced; the rough opening will need to be filled in with sheathing. Building paper should go over the sheathing before siding is replaced. Note: a much larger area than the rough opening will need to be taken off and repositioned to allow for proper spacing of seams on the siding.

Mending the Interior

Once the door has been installed, insulation will need to be installed in the framing, and the frame walls covered with wallboard. Refer to installation directions located in Chapter 9, page 102.

Tape seams; allow taping compound to dry, and then sand. The wall is now ready for texture or paint, or any other type wall covering of your choice.

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The Comprehensive Guide to Home Renovations