[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="304"] Double frame with 2 sidelights[/caption]
Why do we need door frames? One reply could be, what would we do without them?A door is a moveable article to temporarily fill or cover an opening, either for privacy, security or to simply prevent drafts, the list is great and these days a door is also a design statement.
The frame of the door provides support and usually contains part of the mechanism for the door to stay closed as a semi-permanent closure in the form of locks, latches with handles.
The door frames in our properties are often totally ignored until they either need decoration, or a problem occurs, or maybe damaged due to carrying that rather large item of furniture through them.
The terms used for the parts of a door frame can be a little bewildering and purchasing a new frame often highlights this. If your tradesperson or builder organises new frames for your project then you will probably be unaware of the different components in the frame. However, if you are undergoing a renovation project and wish to organise new doors and frames yourself then you may need some clarification.
[caption id="attachment_751" align="alignright" width="105"] Cross section of unfinished oak architrave[/caption]
When I was a child I think that I presumed that the door frame was probably the architrave which surrounds the frame. The architrave neatens the appearance of the frame and is placed on the surface of the wall alongside the door. When studying Interior Design as a young adult I had to understand the construction of a building and learnt that a door frame was not just a simple, superfluous item but a necessary, structural component.
In simple terms the frame fits inside the opening of a wall or stud work to create a lining and a fixing for the hinges, locks and latches. Door frames are available in a choice of widths to accommodate different wall thickness and will be manufactured from a range of timbers dependent on whether they are for interior or exterior use (make sure you check for this when choosing your frame).
The side pieces or legs of the frame are referred to as jambs, these will also include the Stop which is either a cut back of the timber or an additional piece of timber for the door to stop against. The top piece of the lining is appropriately named the header. When choosing a frame for a door set which also includes panels then mullions will be included to support the panels and the door. The section on Frames & Architraves on the Doorsan website will explain technical details to help you choose the correct frame and of course our sales team are available to discuss your needs.