When building or renovating your home, the question of what door and frame to choose will inevitably arise.
This is according to Cobus Lourens from Swartland, who says we’re often so absorbed in choosing the actual door that we forget to give thought to the frame it will be fixed into.
Cobus shares tips regarding various door frames on offer, what to look out for, and how best to install them.
Assembled and kit-form frames
Doors, door frames and accessories are often sold separately, giving you the choice to buy elements that suit your functional and aesthetic considerations.
Cobus says when choosing a door frame, pre-made door frames are particularly favourable as they come ready to install, saving you time and giving you peace of mind that they have been assembled correctly. When making your choice, he says remember to determine the size of the opening you require, and weigh up the technical requirements of the frame so that it interacts with your door and other equipment accordingly.
Top notch
Entryways are hard-wearing features in a home, and have to be as durable as they are good looking. According to Cobus, door frames are highly visible features in the home, so it’s important that they complement the aesthetic of your interior.
Over and above style, they also need to withstand the weight of the surrounding wall and daily usage. Cobus says the last thing one wants is a door frame that warps over time, as this can compromise the entire door and opening.
Quality is key when it comes to door frames because they need to be stable and durable enough to provide long-lasting performance and beauty. “When buying door frame options, be sure to choose ones that are manufactured to the highest joinery standards and engineered to provide guaranteed performance.”
Spoilt for choice
As the saying goes, ‘variety is the spice of life’, and this applies to everything including the door frames you choose.”
When picking a frame, he says be sure to choose one that matches or complements the door that will be hung in it. He says while interior door frames need to withstand a lot of wear and tear, exterior door frames have to withstand the elements. As a result, there’s more flexibility when it comes to choosing what type of wood you wish to use for your internal door frames, really taking aesthetics into consideration.
There’s also a wide range of colours that are available on the market, he says.
“Once you’ve chosen a colour that works for you, you can further personalise your door frames by hand-picking accessories such as fan lights, arches, side lights and top lights.”
How to install a door frame
Installing a door frame requires time and precision. But with some research and the right tools at hand, it can be a breeze. Here are some handy installation hints…
1. Ensure your door frames are tied to the brickwork during building work with adequately spaced ties on each side.
2. Door frames must be built in plumb and square with a pre-stressed lintel overhead to bear the weight of the bricks.
3. Position door frames at a height that takes into consideration the finished floor level. This will prevent excessive height trimming when fitting doors.
4. Adequately support the door frames during building. Stretchers or struts or braces must be kept in place until the walls are dry to prevent movement and inward sagging.
5. Once built in, protect your door frames with boards to prevent damage from wheelbarrows and other equipment.