What Is A Door Jamb? Definition And Image Breakdown

Expert Advice

Fast Delivery

Finance Available

4.5 based on 743 reviews

We will be closed for Christmas from 3pm on Friday 19th Dec and re-opening on Monday 5th Jan. Any orders placed now will be delivered in the New Year. Merry Christmas!

Home / Blog / What is a Door Jamb?

What is a Door Jamb?

Doors are pretty complicated pieces of machinery, comprising of multiple different parts which work together for seamless functioning. One of the vital parts of a door is the ‘door jamb’, often misspelt as ‘door jam’. 

Definition of a Door Jamb

Let’s start with a plain English definition of a door jamb: a door jamb is one of the posts which sit on either side of the door, forming the vertical portions of the door frame.

Take a look at our external door frames here.

What’s the Difference Between a Door Jamb and Frame?

Simply put, the door jamb is a specific part of the frame. It’s there to take the weight of the door, as well as help keep the rest of the frame square and stable. Your hinges are affixed to the jamb on one side of the door, while the bolt passes through the jamb on the other side. The door frame is comprised of several parts, including the door jambs, sill and head. 

Door jambs aren’t just found on standard, single doors – they’re also part of sliding, folding, and double-doors, on which they serve much the same purpose.

The ‘plumbness’ of a jamb has a significant influence on the function of the door. If a door jamb is ‘plumb’ it means it’s perfectly vertical, the way that ‘level’ means something is perfectly horizontal. Just a few degrees outside of 90°, and you’ll find that your door rubs against the frame, or that the bolt doesn’t properly align. If the surrounding walls aren’t entirely plumb, you can correct this with the help of a few strategically-placed shims.

It’s also crucial that the jambs are of the same height, and not too tall or too narrow – if so, you might end up with excessive gaps (or no gaps at all).

More From Aspire

Interested in learning more about door reno? We’ve got all kinds of articles to answer all kinds of questions. Take a look below!

• All You Need To Know About Hardware For Internal Doors
• How To Change External Door Handles
• Maintenance Of Your External Doors

Back to all articles

Share

Back to all articles

You might also be interested in

Biophilic Futurism: Popular Buildings Reimagined (Covered in Plants)

What would the world look like if we covered buildings in photosynthesising trees and plants? What effect would that have on the...

What are Edwardian Doors?

Looking for a new front door for your period property? Our guide to Edwardian front doors explains what to look out for to make...

The Unusual First Products of Famous Household Brands

Not everybody is blessed with beginner's luck. A lot of brands have to plug away, try, try and try again before they succeed in...

Door Hardware Trends for 2022

With a new year comes new interior design styles. In an ever-growing world of inspiration, interior design enthusiasts are...

Enter Your Opening Size Here

Check Measurements

Great news! This door fits your opening.

You’ll need to trim mm off the left & right of each door

You’ll need to pack mm either side of the frame

You’ll need to trim mm off the top and bottom of each door

You’ll need to pack mm above

This door will also fit:

You’ll need to trim mm off the left & right of each door

You’ll need to pack mm either side of the frame

You’ll need to trim mm off the top and bottom of each door

You’ll need to pack mm above

Back to product View suggested door

Sorry. This door won’t fit your opening.

The size you need is:

You’ll need to trim mm off the left & right of each door

You’ll need to pack mm either side of the frame

You’ll need to trim mm off the top and bottom of each door

You’ll need to pack mm above

View suggested door

Sorry! There are no doors that fit your space in this range.

Call the team for further advice

020 37440704

Back to product

Call our team

Reach out to us today!

020 3744 0704

Visit our Essex showroom!

Come down to our showroom and take a look!

Get in touch

Send us an email

We’re always here to help!

[email protected]