What Is A Split Jamb Door Frame? (Find Out Now!)

Homeowners have numerous options to choose from when it comes to installing new doors. You can select a new door based on your design or material preferences. Even the type of hardware that goes along with the door can factor into your decision-making process.

The split jamb doors stand out precisely because they have a more unconventional design. It’s not novelty just for novelty’s sake, however. There are real reasons why a split jamb door could be a more sensible addition to your home.

Split jamb doors are split in half lengthwise, but they can fit together during installation thanks to the tongue-in-groove joint. The unconventional design of the split jamb door makes it easier to install along walls that may feature unusual qualities. The split jamb doors may also offer more stability compared to more conventional doors when installed along certain spots.

Installing a door can turn into a more manageable project especially if you pick the right type of door. Learn more about split jamb doors in this article and see if it could be the exact addition you need.

You can also learn more about the different parts of a door frame by referring to 23+ Parts of a Door Frame.

We want to make our tasks as easy as possible. Whether they are tasks related to our job or to improve our home, we want them to be very manageable. A big part of the reason why pre-hung doors have become so popular is because of how convenient they are. So much of the work that goes into the installation is handled ahead of time if you’re using a pre-hung door.

Now, when browsing through the selection of pre-hung doors, you will have a choice to make. You can either go with the more conventional pre-hung doors or pick out a split jamb door. Think carefully about the decision you’re making here because it can make a real difference during installation.

The split jamb door is designed differently from the standard pre-hung door options. As its name suggests, the jamb on the aforementioned item is split evenly lengthwise prior to installation. For those who may be unaware, the jamb refers to the sides of the door frame. They include the vertical portions of the frame as well as the horizontal piece that connects the two sides together.

Most pre-hung doors have one solid jamb. You slide that jamb into your doorway, get it into position, and install it later on. Split jamb doors are different because the frame is divided into two pieces.

Homeowners will have to rely on a tongue-in-groove joint to put the split jamb door together. Don’t worry about that joint though. As long as the door is well designed, sliding the two ends of the joint together won’t be an issue.

Since there are two jamb pieces to manage, you may have assumed that split jamb doors take longer to install. It’s easy to understand why someone would make that assumption, but that’s not the case. If anything, the split jamb design actually speeds up the installation process.

Whether it’s lining up the door or placing shims, those things take faster with split jamb doors. It turns out that splitting the frame into two pieces can make the door easier to work with.

When installing conventional pre-hung doors, homeowners typically have to add some casing to finish the job. Adding that casing is easy for carpenters and experienced hobbyists. However, that is harder to pull off if you’re still new to this kind of project.

Split jamb doors don’t require you to put in that added work. Because of how they are designed, manufacturers can add casing to both sides of the split jamb. Once the split jamb door is in the right position, you don’t have to add anything else to it.

Before you focus on installing your new split jamb door, you will first have to take some measurements. This is easier to do if an old door is still in place. Simply reference the measurements of that existing door while shopping for a replacement.

If the old door has already been removed, you need to use other measurements instead. Measure the jamb width and the rough opening to ensure your new door will fit. Remember to remove the interior trim before measuring the rough opening since you’re using a pre-hung door.

Related Questions

Should You Use a Split or Flat Jamb Door for Your Doorway?

The type of doorway you have should dictate which type of pre-hung door to use. Flat jamb doors work for conventionally shaped doorways. Meanwhile, split jamb doors are best suited for irregularly shaped openings.Do note though that split jamb doors pretty much work on any kind of doorway. You can err on the side caution by going with a split jamb door.

How Do You Fill Excess Nail Holes Left Behind after Installing the Split Jamb Door?

You may find some extra nail holes present after installing the split jamb door. There’s no need to add nails if the setup is already secure. Simply fill those extra holes in with putty and paint over them to keep them concealed.