A door jamb is a part of a door. It is said that it explicitly indicates the frame of the door. This part of the door is crucial for helping the door to hold and stand properly.
You may ask how thick the door jamb should be. Let us answer the question that you have in mind and give you some information regarding that matter.
Door jamb thickness
The thickness of a door jamb should be around 3-1/2 inch – 4-9/16 inches depending on the design of the door. The door jamb’s thickness heavily depends on the main door that you will attach with the frame. Older homes may have thicker and wider door jambs because of the old design pattern.
Table of Contents
Door jab thickness is essential for setting a door correctly on the wall. The thickness usually varies based on where you will use the door jab.
Usually, exterior door jabs are thicker than other door jabs. On the other hand, interior and pre-hung door jabs are similar in terms of thickness.
Door jabs usually have an ideal thickness. This thickness is around 4-9/16 inches ideally. This is the ideal size for door jabs.
The sizes can vary between others as well. 5-1/2 inch and 6-9/16 inch thick door jabs are also commonly found. This thickness varies based on the thickness of the wall or type.
Door jabs that are used outside are usually thicker compared to the ones that are used inside. This is for the safety of the user and security. Thicker door jabs ensure that the doors keep intruders from getting into your building.
But less thick door jabs are usually used in places where the walls are thinner. Walls that are usually made of dry walls require less thick door jabs.
Door jabs can be more than 6-9/16 inches if required. But this will need thick studs or a block wall. Without these, the thick door jabs can not be set on correctly.
Thicker door jabs are commonly used in places where you may want to design your door jabs more elegantly or want to ensure better security.
There are various kinds of door jambs that you can have in your house or building. Based on where these jambs are set, let us provide you with some information regarding the thickness of some standard door jambs.
Interior door jamb:
The thickness of an interior door jamb should be around 4-9/16 inches. This is the ideal thickness of an interior door jamb. This thickness depends on the width of the wall you attach. It also depends on the studs that you will align it on as well.
Exterior door jamb:
6-9/16 inch thickness is ideal for an exterior door jamb. Exterior door jambs are usually thick because they need extra thickness to accommodate the thicker door and hold it on the frame.
Thickness also increases due to ensure the safety of the house and building.
Pre-hung door jamb:
The thickness of a pre-hung door jamb is also the same as an interior door jamb, which is around 4-9/16 inches. This thickness is ideal because the walls are said to be two-by-four with 1-1/2 inch by 3-1/2 inch studs.
Does door jamb width matter?
Door jab width matters for various reasons. Door jamb width is important when you think of replacing the door jamb. When you replace the door jamb, the width of the door jamb usually stays the same as the previous one.
If you do not use the proper door jamb width of the previous one, you may not make the correct new door jamb.
If the width is incorrect, the door jamb will not be set in the old place. Another reason why door jamb size matters are the thickness of the drywall and studs.
The drywall size matters because the door will not be appropriately set without the appropriate size. The frame will be uneven on the wall.
Door jamb width also matters because the door will not function correctly without the correct width. If the width is mistaken, the door will not open as it was intended to. So, to ensure the door’s proper functionality, the door jamb’s width matters.
3 factors that determine door jamb thickness
There are multiple factors that need to be kept in mind when determining door jamb thickness.
But if you want to know what factors you should consider while deciding on a door jamb thickness, it is evident that you would like to know the main essential factors.
Here are 3 factors that we think are important for you to keep in mind when determining door jamb thickness.
The size of the studs:
The size of the studs is important when measuring the door jamb thickness. The stud thickness that the door jamb is set says a lot about the thickness of the door jamb.
Based on the thickness of the studs, you need to understand which thickness of the door jamb is ideal for your house or building.
The thickness of the drywall or others:
The thickness of the drywall is another factor in determining the thickness of the door jamb. The thickness of the drywall can affect in determining the thickness of the door jamb a lot.
This matter helps to determine how deep under the door jamb is and you need to consider the gap between the door jamb and drywall for better measurements.
The doorway dimension:
The doorway dimension that you will set it in is another factor. The dimension of the doorway helps in measuring the door jamb thickness correctly.
How do you measure a door jamb?
It is important to know the ways to measure a door jamb. It is essential when you change the door jamb with a new one. It is also important when you are setting the door jamb for the first time.
There are various methods and ways to measure the door jamb. You will have to use various measuring tools as well. But the tools that you will have to use, depends on the method you will imply.
If you want to measure a door jamb, you will want to know the simplest way to do it. Let us discuss the most straightforward way for you and help you measure a door jamb.
Get the measuring tools:
Before you start measuring the door jamb, you will need to get a measuring tool for your door jamb measuring technique.
We will suggest you get a measuring tape. You can find construction measuring tape for that. It is available at any hardware shop.
Understand how to read a measuring tape:
Understanding how to read a measuring tape is essential as well. The measuring tape has multiple readings.
Look at the bottom readings which are really small. Along with the small readings are bigger readings as well and these are marked as feet and whole inches. Read the entire inches with the small inch readings.
Set the measuring tape at the start of drywall:
The door jamb is usually set with the drywall. Set the start of the measuring tape at the drywall and then measure with the door jamb. Measure the inside and outside. Both measurements may differ.
To measure the width, measure the side from the drywall to the edge. And to measure the depth of the door, measure it from the outside to the inside.
While measuring, include any designs that are on the door jamb. You may not get a proper result if you do not consider them.
What size wood do you need for a door jamb?
You will need 3/4 inch thick wood for a door jamb. There are various woods available in the market in multiple sizes. You will have to consider taking any one of them according to your requirement. This requirement varies based on where you will use it.
It is said that pine, hemlock and fir wood are famous for door jambs. Although there are other wood options in the market, people usually prefer the above three wood choices.
These wood variants are ideal for making door jambs. These can be handled properly in making the door jamb just like you wanted to.
If you want to use other wood, then 3/4 oak or any hardwood. But these wood types are costly and you may need to spend extra money to make your door jamb. Not only the price, but it is also hard to work on the hardwood.
They are hard to process and work on in making a door jamb which might be painful for you or the person making it.
Final Thoughts
A door jamb thickness should ideally be 4-9/16 inches. But based on where you will be placing the door jamb, it can be between 3-1/2 inches to 6-3/16 inches. The thickness of the door jambs will vary based on which kind of door jamb it is, what is the stud and drywall thickness and many more.