Installing a Door Frame on a Concrete Wall: A Step-by-Step Guide
The basic steps for putting in a door and its frame are the same regardless of whether the wall consists of wood, steel studs, or concrete. However, concrete walls require more robust tools and materials because of their hardness and durability.
By Harper Adams6 steps
Installing a wooden frame in a concrete wall requires some strong hardware.
Putting a door and frame into a wall follows the same basic steps whether the wall is wood, steel studs, or concrete. But because concrete is hard and durable, the tools and materials needed for a concrete wall are somewhat heavier-duty than those for a wood frame. If you lack the necessary equipment, you can rent it instead of buying it.
Step 1
Insert the door frame into the concrete wall opening. Put a level on the bottom of the frame and check if it is level. If not, lift the bottom of the frame and insert shims under it until it is level. Stack shims on top of each other until the frame is level.
Step 2
Take the frame out and fasten the stack of shims to the floor. For a concrete floor, use a 3-inch masonry screw to secure the shims. Use the hammer drill in rotary mode to drill a pilot hole for the screw. Drill one hole through the stack of shims. Drilling too many holes might split the shims, and the goal is just to prevent them from moving. The hammer drill works like a regular drill and will penetrate the shims and concrete more easily. Then, drive the masonry screw into the floor using a regular drill.
Step 3
Slide the frame back into the opening and push the hinge side of the door frame against the adjacent wall. Place a level against the hinge side to check if it is perfectly plumb. If not, insert shims between the concrete wall and the frame. Put shims at the top of the door behind the topmost hinge. Keep stacking shims until both the side and bottom of the frame are level. Add shims behind the bottom hinge if needed.
Step 4
Secure the hinge side of the frame to the concrete wall. Remove the middle screw from each hinge with a regular drill, and drill a pilot hole for longer 4-inch masonry screws that go through the frame and shims into the concrete. Use the hammer drill to make the hole, then a regular drill to insert the screw.
Step 5
Place shims into any gaps at the top and the opposite side of the frame, securing them with masonry screws.
Step 6
Trim all shims flush with the frame using a small, fine-toothed saw.
