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Doors and Windows
How to Replace a Door Frame Download Article Co-authored by Mitchell Newman and Sophia Bell
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 References
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Removing the Door, Trim, and Frame
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Replacing the Frame, Door, and Trim
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Expert Q&A
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Warnings
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Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Mitchell Newman and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Mitchell Newman is a Construction Professional based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the Principal at Habitar Design, an interior design firm that specializes in floor plans, kitchen and bath design, furniture layout, custom built-ins, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, staging, models, and facades. Habitar features a strong design-build capability, utilizing Mitchell’s sister company, Stratagem Construction. Mitchell is the General Contractor at Strategem, and has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Mitchell’s two companies seamlessly combine interior design with construction, allowing him to design with synchony for the client. He received an M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This article has been viewed 222,507 times.
If your door frame is damaged, the best thing to do is to replace it with a pre-hung door, which comes inside a pre-built frame. If you have a little carpentry experience, this is likely a project you can tackle by yourself. First, remove the existing door, trim, and frame. Then, install a pre-hung door and replace the trim. The process is the same for both interior and exterior doors, so no matter where your door is located, you can install a sturdy replacement in a few hours using basic tools.
Replacing a Door Frame
Remove the existing door and its hinges.
Pry off the existing trim and remove the frame.
Install a prehung door in the open space.
Replace the trim on the frame.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Removing the Door, Trim, and Frame
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1 Remove the door from the frame. Loosen the hinge pins by tapping them with a hammer, then pull them out of place. Carefully lift the door off of the hinges and discard it. Unscrew the hinge pins from the jamb with a screwdriver then remove them.[1]XResearch source
Tip: Take note of which side of the door the handle is on since this determines the “swing” of the door. Be sure to choose a replacement door that’s configured the same way.
2 Cut along the caulking between the wall and the trim. Look for a bead of caulking securing the trim to the wall. Slide a utility knife down the full length of the trim to loosen it.[2]XResearch source
This can also help remove paint that’s adhering the trim to the wall.
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3 Pry the old trim away from the wall. Insert a pry bar underneath the old trim. Firmly pry it from the wall by applying downward pressure—toward the wall—to lever it toward you and off the wall. Begin with the top piece, then move onto the sides. Continue to pry away the trim until it's all removed.[3]XResearch source
Put a shim between the wall and pry bar to avoid damaging the wall.
If your trim is in really good shape, you can reuse it! Otherwise, measure the pieces so you can purchase replacements.
4 Remove the door jamb. Use a handsaw to cut through the door jamb. You only need to make a single cut and can do so at any point along the jamb. Then use a pry bar to pry loose the existing jamb from both the sides and the top of the door casing.[4]XResearch source
Cutting the jamb helps you to remove it more easily since it provides a point of access to insert the pry bar.
Measure the opening so you can select a door that will fit without having to add a bunch of shims. Doors come in standard sizes, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.
5 Take out any nails that remain in the wall. After removing your frame, you might notice some nails still stuck in the wall. Use pliers or the sharp end of the hammer to apply pressure toward the wall and lever them out.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 2:
Replacing the Frame, Door, and Trim
Download Article
1 Position the new door and frame in the opening and tack it in place. Select a pre-hung door with the same dimensions as your old door. Carefully set it in the opening and use a level to ensure the hinge side is plumb. Adjust the door as necessary, then nail it into place on the hinge side first with galvanized casing nails.[6]XResearch source
Read the instructions that come with your new door to see if there are any manufacturer-specific steps you need to follow.
2 Shim the openings to ensure the door is plumb. Begin on the hinge side and place shims into the opening between the frame and wall. Place shims at the top of the door next, then on the latch side. Check to make sure the door is level and plumb, then use a utility knife to score the shims so they’re even with the wall. Break off the excess and discard it.[7]XResearch source
Position the shims evenly for best results. Put them at the top, middle, and bottom on each side of the door.
3 Insulate the gap between the frame and wall. Spray foam insulation in the spaces between the frame and the wall. Use minimal expanding foam insulation for the cleanest results. Allow the foam to expand and dry before moving on.[8]XResearch source
Check the instructions on the foam packaging to determine how long it will take to dry.
4 Replace the trim. If your old trim was in good shape, you can simply replace it. Otherwise, purchase pre-painted trim from the hardware store and cut it to size with a circular saw. Use a miter saw to cut 45-degree angles into the corners of each piece so they line up evenly to frame the door. Nail the trim into place with finish nails.[9]XResearch source
Use a level to ensure each piece of trim is plumb.
Put on goggles and earplugs before using a saw.
To cover the nail holes in the trim, spread a thin layer of painter’s putty over them with your finger. Be sure to choose putty that matches the color of your trim.
5 Caulk around the edges of the trim. Use a caulk gun to apply an even bead of caulk around the perimeter of the trim. Wet your finger and use it to smooth out the bead. Wipe your finger on a damp cloth as many times as you need to in order to ensure a smooth, even bead of caulk around each piece of trim.[10]XResearch source
Tip: Pick up a piece of beveled transition molding from the hardware store to cover any gaps between the sill and the flooring. Cut it to size with a circular saw and nail it into place
6 Install the doorknob. Purchase a kit with a strike plate and doorknob in a style you like. Open the packaging and take out the pieces. Push the latch into the hole so that the flat side of the latch bolt faces the inside of the room and screw it into place. Attach the latch plate with the provided screws. Put the part of the doorknob with the square peg in first, then align the other side of the doorknob and push it into place.[11]XResearch source
Screw the knobs into place, then line the latch bolt up with the strike plate on the jamb and screw the strike plate into place.
If you’re working on an exterior door, there will be a place for a deadbolt as well. Simply repeat the process to put the bolt inside the opening and screw the deadbolt cylinders in place so the keyhole is on the outside.
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do you prepare a door frame for painting? Mitchell Newman Construction Professional Mitchell Newman is a Construction Professional based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the Principal at Habitar Design, an interior design firm that specializes in floor plans, kitchen and bath design, furniture layout, custom built-ins, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, staging, models, and facades. Habitar features a strong design-build capability, utilizing Mitchell’s sister company, Stratagem Construction. Mitchell is the General Contractor at Strategem, and has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Mitchell’s two companies seamlessly combine interior design with construction, allowing him to design with synchony for the client. He received an M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mitchell Newman Construction Professional Expert Answer You need to lightly sand the surface of the frame to rough everything up a little bit so the paint adheres. You don't need to completely sand through any existing paint, but you do still need to lightly sand it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
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Tips
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Warnings
Exercise caution when using tools like a hammer, pry bar, or saw. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Wear ear and eye protection when using a saw. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Hammer
Screwdriver
Utility knife
Pry bar
Hand saw
Level
Galvanized casing nails
Shims
Foam insulation
Trim
Circular saw
Miter saw
Finish nails
Caulk and caulk gun
Doorknob kit
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Co-authored by: Mitchell Newman Construction Professional This article was co-authored by Mitchell Newman and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Mitchell Newman is a Construction Professional based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the Principal at Habitar Design, an interior design firm that specializes in floor plans, kitchen and bath design, furniture layout, custom built-ins, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, staging, models, and facades. Habitar features a strong design-build capability, utilizing Mitchell’s sister company, Stratagem Construction. Mitchell is the General Contractor at Strategem, and has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Mitchell’s two companies seamlessly combine interior design with construction, allowing him to design with synchony for the client. He received an M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This article has been viewed 222,507 times. 32 votes - 74% Co-authors: 6Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 222,507 Categories: Doors and Windows In other languages Spanish Arabic Japanese
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Co-authored by: Mitchell Newman Construction Professional This article was co-authored by Mitchell Newman and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Bell. Mitchell Newman is a Construction Professional based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the Principal at Habitar Design, an interior design firm that specializes in floor plans, kitchen and bath design, furniture layout, custom built-ins, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, staging, models, and facades. Habitar features a strong design-build capability, utilizing Mitchell’s sister company, Stratagem Construction. Mitchell is the General Contractor at Strategem, and has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Mitchell’s two companies seamlessly combine interior design with construction, allowing him to design with synchony for the client. He received an M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This article has been viewed 222,507 times. 32 votes - 74% Co-authors: 6 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 222,507 Categories: Doors and Windows In other languages Spanish Arabic Japanese 
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1 Remove the door from the frame. Loosen the hinge pins by tapping them with a hammer, then pull them out of place. Carefully lift the door off of the hinges and discard it. Unscrew the hinge pins from the jamb with a screwdriver then remove them.[1] 
2 Cut along the caulking between the wall and the trim. Look for a bead of caulking securing the trim to the wall. Slide a utility knife down the full length of the trim to loosen it.[2] 
3 Pry the old trim away from the wall. Insert a pry bar underneath the old trim. Firmly pry it from the wall by applying downward pressure—toward the wall—to lever it toward you and off the wall. Begin with the top piece, then move onto the sides. Continue to pry away the trim until it's all removed.[3] 
4 Remove the door jamb. Use a handsaw to cut through the door jamb. You only need to make a single cut and can do so at any point along the jamb. Then use a pry bar to pry loose the existing jamb from both the sides and the top of the door casing.[4] 
5 Take out any nails that remain in the wall. After removing your frame, you might notice some nails still stuck in the wall. Use pliers or the sharp end of the hammer to apply pressure toward the wall and lever them out.[5] Advertisement 
1 Position the new door and frame in the opening and tack it in place. Select a pre-hung door with the same dimensions as your old door. Carefully set it in the opening and use a level to ensure the hinge side is plumb. Adjust the door as necessary, then nail it into place on the hinge side first with galvanized casing nails.[6] 
2 Shim the openings to ensure the door is plumb. Begin on the hinge side and place shims into the opening between the frame and wall. Place shims at the top of the door next, then on the latch side. Check to make sure the door is level and plumb, then use a utility knife to score the shims so they’re even with the wall. Break off the excess and discard it.[7] 
3 Insulate the gap between the frame and wall. Spray foam insulation in the spaces between the frame and the wall. Use minimal expanding foam insulation for the cleanest results. Allow the foam to expand and dry before moving on.[8] 
4 Replace the trim. If your old trim was in good shape, you can simply replace it. Otherwise, purchase pre-painted trim from the hardware store and cut it to size with a circular saw. Use a miter saw to cut 45-degree angles into the corners of each piece so they line up evenly to frame the door. Nail the trim into place with finish nails.[9] 
5 Caulk around the edges of the trim. Use a caulk gun to apply an even bead of caulk around the perimeter of the trim. Wet your finger and use it to smooth out the bead. Wipe your finger on a damp cloth as many times as you need to in order to ensure a smooth, even bead of caulk around each piece of trim.[10] 
6 Install the doorknob. Purchase a kit with a strike plate and doorknob in a style you like. Open the packaging and take out the pieces. Push the latch into the hole so that the flat side of the latch bolt faces the inside of the room and screw it into place. Attach the latch plate with the provided screws. Put the part of the doorknob with the square peg in first, then align the other side of the doorknob and push it into place.[11] 
Mitchell Newman Construction Professional Mitchell Newman is a Construction Professional based in Chicago, Illinois. He is the Principal at Habitar Design, an interior design firm that specializes in floor plans, kitchen and bath design, furniture layout, custom built-ins, custom and semi-custom cabinetry, staging, models, and facades. Habitar features a strong design-build capability, utilizing Mitchell’s sister company, Stratagem Construction. Mitchell is the General Contractor at Strategem, and has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Mitchell’s two companies seamlessly combine interior design with construction, allowing him to design with synchony for the client. He received an M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.