Hollow metal doors and frames are primarily used in commercial construction. They are made of thin sheets of steel that range from 14 to 16 gauge on average. Because of the complexity of modern hardware devices, it is important that installers choose the correct sizes of doors and frames when ordering these materials. Hollow metal doors and frames are typically listed in nominal sizes, where a door measuring 3' wide and 7' tall would be listed as 3070. When it comes to actual sizes, however, doors and frames can measure quite differently from their nominal size. By knowing size these materials properly, you'll greatly improve your chances of achieving a successful installation.
Instructions
Sizing Hollow Metal Frames
1. Determine which type of wall the frame will be installed into. In drywall partitions, the frame should measure 1" smaller than the wall opening in both height and width. In a masonry wall, the frame should be 2" smaller than the opening.
2. Examine the building plans to determine how the frames should be installed. Hollow metal frames can either wrap around a wall or butt up against it. While this is largely a matter of designer preference, most masonry frames are butted while most drywall frames are wrapped around the wall.
3. Calculate the jamb depth of the frame. The jamb depth is a measure of how thick the frame should be where it meets the wall. If the frame will be butted, it should have a jamb depth equal to the thickness of the wall. If it will be wrapped, it should measure 1" wider than the wall. The jamb depth on masonry frames will always be measured in 1/4" increments, while drywall frames will always be measured in 1/8" increments. For example, a drywall frame that is intended to wrap around a 4-7/8" wall will require a jamb depth of 5-7/8".
Sizing Hollow Metal Doors
4. Determine the actual width of the door. Hollow metal doors should be 1/8" smaller than the frame across the width of the door. This allows for 1/16" clearance on each side so the door can swing in the opening without interference.
5. Calculate the height of the door. Doors are typically sized 3/4" to 7/8" smaller than the frame in terms of height. This allows for 1/8" clearance at the top of the opening, and 5/8" to 3/4" at the bottom. The amount of clearance at the bottom depends on the height of the floor coverings or thresholds. A door with a thick carpet underneath should be undersized a full 7/8" in total, while one sitting on bare concrete will only need to be undersized 3/4".
6. Consider pairs of doors. Doors that will be installed as a pair in a single frame are sized slightly differently. Each door should be undersized 3/4" to 7/8" according to the information in step 2. Width-wise, however, each leaf on a pair of doors should only be 3/16" smaller than the frame. This helps to create a 1/16" clearance at each hinge jamb as well as a 1/16" clearance between the two doors. This helps to minimize the risks of large gaps between the doors, which can create problems with keeping the doors closed and locked.
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