We’ve all seen this before…..rotting door jambs at the sill. You can replace the entire door unit or cut out the cancer and replace it with a patch……and it will look like it. Any innovative ideas? Maybe replacing the rot with a plynth style PVC block so it’ll look it was meant to be that way? Where the BM and wood jamb will die into the top of the PVC block?
Homeowner has front door and 3 garage doors that are all victim.
Thanx!
jocobe
Edited 4/24/2004 2:19 pm ET by jocobe
Edited 4/24/2004 7:44 pm ET by jocobe
Replies
I've tried to perform rot surgery, removing the stuff to good wood, epoxy/bondo, or patch, but to be honest, I don't anymore. I looked at the cost of repairs versus that for replacement, and for a typical entry door, the difference is just about the cost of the door, maybe a little less. Too much work for what will require more work later. Now I just recommend replacement, and that's the way we usually go.
The garage doors, are the doors shot, or are you still referring to the jambs? The jambs can (and I have and still do) be replaced with relatively little problem, as they are typically just flat stock. Make sure if you replace them that they do not sit on the cement, or they'll wick up moisture and rot again. And use cedar. Clear grade, primed all surfaces.
Have a good evening, and don't let the rot ruin your day.
The garage doors are fine...just the jambs are shot. On other jobs I've replaced all the trim around garage doors with AZEK solid vinyl. I was just wondering whether anyone came up with any unique fix for repairing the existing wood jambs just at the bottom of the side jambs.
As far as the front door, it's a double door and the bottom of both side jambs are rotten for up about 6 inches. I pulled out the weatherstrip and tried to look behind the face of the jamb and wood is gone.....so it's not really a candidate for epoxy or any type of filler. Replacing the section would be a pain 'cause there needs to be a kerf for the weatherstrip and there's a bead on the front edge. Seems like such a waste to have to replace the whole unit........but anything else is gonna look like a patch job.
jocobe
Edited 4/25/2004 7:38 am ET by jocobe
I have taken a foot long piece of treated lumber and plained it down to the same dimensions and cut in the kerf then installed it and then sanded till flush and then primed.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
I can't remember the brand name, but I recently saw an add for doors that come with jambs that are plastic in the lower foot or so for just this reason..
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
This is a subject that always amazed me that on a house with vinyl siding why is the door and garage door trim almost always left exposed? Any trim within 8" of grade I use a composite or cedar, and seal any exposed end grains with Phenoseal.
As far as repairing the rot the t&m on patch work isnt worth it if you can sway the customer to buy a new composite jamb available as a special order. You get what you pay for(sometimes)
Thermatru doors have a "rot proof" jamb that is veneered so you cannot tell. The door bottom is also rot proof. They are awesome doors and have a lot of selections.
But as for the original question....Just replace the whole jamb. I would never spend the time it takes to rejuvinate a rotted jamb unless it had historical value. In normal rot scenarios, it is quicker and cheaper (labor cost) for me to just redo it in a better wood. ie, replace all pine with cedar or pt. Patching only causes me worry and sometimes callbacks.
gk