How To Shim A Door Lock With A Frame

Remove the screws from the hinge you need to shim using a screwdriver or a drill and screwdriver bit.

How to shim a door lock with a frame.

See an interior door installation. When shimming the door the goal is to make sure that once the frame is nailed the gap between the door and the frame is equal all around the door. Check the head top jamb for square and level with the previously installed hinge side of the door jamb. Start at the top keeping the reveal or clearances as equal as possible.

I show how to make a simple lock shim. First make marks to indicate the centers of the hinges. Learn the easy way to hang and install an interior prehung door. How to shim a door.

Tack a pair of tapered shims at the top hinge. Shim the middle and attach to the wall with 2 1 2 inch finish nails. Only unscrew one hinge at a time so the door does not fall off. Loosen the hinge screws in the jamb and insert a 1 16 in thick x 3 8 in wide piece of cardboard behind the hinge leaf.

Put a nail on either side of the center door stop. If the door has three hinges remove the screws from the middle hinge as well. Shim the side jambs first to hold the frame upright. To install the shim unscrew the three screws that are fastening the hinge to the door frame.

Gaps along the latch side of a door may be reduced by shimming out the hinges in some cases. Place shims between the wall and the door frame on the latch side of the door. Slide shims under the bottoms of the jambs one from each side and push them together until the frame is secure enough to stand. Align the shim with the screw holes in the frame and close this hinge.

Slide the shim behind the hinge that needs the extra spacing then drive the screws back in tightly and check the operation of the door. This moves the door slightly toward the latch side of the opening effectively reducing the gap to help. Push it against the screws and retighten them. Lock shims are thin pieces of metal inserted into the base of the shackle u or n shaped thing that presses down the.

Screw the hinge side jamb to the stud. Hopefully this shim will be enough to make the latch solid. Start by shimming the hinge side of the rough opening. Repeat for each shim.

Then use a long level or a long straight board along with a short level to plumb the shims. Shimming tips and help.