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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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