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Hollow Metal Door Frames

Hollow Metal Door Frames

A hollow metal door frame is the entire steel casing or framework that wraps around the door. This includes the three main parts of the door frame: the head, strike jamb, and hinge jamb.

Head: This the top piece of the hollow metal door frame.

Strike Jamb: This is the side of the door frame that runs vertically on the lock side of the door.

Hinge Jamb: This is the side of the door frame that runs vertically on the hinge side of the door.

Face: The exposed part of the door frame.

Throat: The opening between the backbends of the door frame.

Jamb Depth: The overall width of the door frame profile. This is the measurement of the face to face dimension.

Stop: The part of the door frame that the metal door closes against.

Rabbet: The area on either side of the soffit. Hollow metal door frames are available in a single or double rabbet design.

Soffit: The are on the door frame between the rabbets.



Door Frame Opening
Hollow metal door frames are often referred to by their nominal size. For example, a 3'-0" x 7'-0" door frame indicates a door frame that is for a 3'-0" x 7'-0" hollow metal door.

Nominal Opening: The nominal opening is always the distance between the hollow metal door frame.

Net Opening: The net opening is the measurement of the hollow metal door slab.

Undercut: Refers to the clearance between the bottom of the hollow metal door frame and the hollow metal door. Most hollow metal doors have a 1/8" undercut.

Door Width: This is the measurement of the width inside of the hollow metal door, less the clearance.

Door Height: This is the measurement of the height inside of the hollow metal door, less the clearance.

Types of Hollow Metal Door Frames

There are two main types of hollow metal door frames; drywall door frames and masonry door frames. Each door frame type is used for specific wall applications. There are also many variations of these two kinds of hollow metal door frames such as knock down frames, welded frames, adjustable frames, and prefinished frames. We will go over in detail the differences between all of these kinds of hollow metal door frames.

Drywall Hollow Metal Door Frames

Drywall door frames are used strictly for interior door applications. This frame is designed to wrap around the drywall. Depending on the overall wall thickness including the drywall, will determine the overall door frame jamb depth. Standard drywall door frames are constructed from 16 gauge cold rolled steel with a 2" face. Heavier duty steel door frames are made of 14 gauge steel, but are not very common. The standard stop height is 5/8". Drywall door frames are prepped for commercial ball bearing 4.5" x 4.5" square hinges.


Door Frame Jamb Depth and Throat Size

Drywall door frames are designed to wrap around the wall. The general rule of thumb is that the door frame jamb depth can be calculated by adding 1 inch to the overall wall thickness. If you have been researching hollow metal door frames, you may have heard the term "throat size" thrown around. The throat size of a door frame refers to the inside measurement of the door frame as shown in the illustration below. Throat sizes are important and often specified because it helps the installer or manufacturer know the general wall thickness that you plan to wrap the door frame around. Essentially the throat size is equivalent to the wall thickness.
As an example one of the most common wall thicknesses is 4-5/8". A 4-5/8" wall thickness is made up of a 2 x 4 wood stud with 1/2" drywall on each side. So if your wall thickness is 4-5/8", then we know your throat would be 4-5/8" and your overall jamb depth would be 5-5/8" because you simply add 1" to the overall wall thickness / throat size measurement.




Drywall Door Frame Jamb Depth = Overall Wall Thickness + 1"

Drywall Door Frame Anchors

Drywall door frames use a special compression anchor that allows the frame to wrap around the drywall and squeeze it tight. The tightness of the squeeze is adjusted by a screw. At the base of the drywall door frame is a strap anchor. Strap anchors are designed to fasten to the wall.



Drywall Door Frame Jamb Depth Sizes

Hollow metal door drywall door frames come in a variety of jamb depth sizes. The illustration below illustrates the most common drywall door frame jamb depths.

5-5/8" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a wall constructed of a 2x4 with 1/2" drywall on each side or a wall constructed of a 3-5/8" metal stud with 1/2" drywall on each side.

5-7/8" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a wall constructed of a 2x4 with 5/8" drywall on each side or a wall constructed of a 3-5/8" metal stud with 5/8" drywall on each side.

6-1/4" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a 5-1/4" thick wall.

6-3/4" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a 5-3/4" thick wall.

7-1/8" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a wall constructed of a 2x4 with 2 layers of 5/8" drywall on each side.

7-3/4" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a wall constructed of a 2x6 with 5/8" drywall on each side.

8-1/4" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a 7-1/4" thick wall.

8-3/4" Jamb Depth: Hollow metal door frame for a 7-3/4" thick wall.





Drywall Door Frame Rough Opening

All drywall door frame rough openings can easily calculated using the formulas below.

Drywall Frame Rough Opening Height = Opening Height + 1"
Drywall Frame Rough Opening Width = Opening Width + 2"


For example, if you want to order a standard 3'-0" x 7'-0" (36" x 84") hollow metal door package, then the rough opening would be 38" Wide x 85" Tall.



Masonry Hollow Metal Door Frames

Masonry door frames are a type of hollow metal steel door frame that can be used for both interior or exterior door applications. Masonry door frames are available with large selection of frame anchors so that they can be installed on wood stud, metal stud, or masonry (concrete block or brick) construction. The industry standard for masonry door frames is 16 gauge cold rolled steel with a 2" face, a 5/8" stop height, and are prepped for commercial ball bearing 4.5" x 4.5" square hinges. Masonry door frames are very versatile in their installation applications since they can be installed by wrapping a wall just like the drywall door frames, or they can be butted against the wall. Typically if a masonry door frame is installed for an interior door application then the frame is wrapped around the wall. However, if the masonry frame is used for an exterior door application such as installation on a block wall, then the frame is butted directly against the wall. The illustration shows both interior and exterior installation type examples.

Masonry Door Frame Anchors

Hollow metal doors with masonry frames are installed on all types of building walls such as wood stud walls, metal stud walls, concrete block walls, brick block walls, or other CMU (concrete masonry unit) walls. In order to install hollow metal doors in all of these construction wall types, specific anchors are used to achieve this. Let's explore some of the most popular masonry frame anchors.

Wood Stud Anchors
A wood stud anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching a masonry door frame to a wood stud wall. Wood stud anchors typically are shipped with the door frame loose, however in some cases are welded into the frame. The wood stud anchor is placed inside of the throat of the door frame. Using a hammer it wedges into the door frame flat. The wood stud anchor is constructed with 2 metal straps that can be bent to lay against the wood stud. Once the metal straps of the wood stud anchor are lined up with the wood studs, they can be nailed into place.

Steel Stud Anchors
A steel stud anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching a masonry door frame to a steel stud wall. Similar to the wood stud anchor, the steel stud anchors typically are shipped with the door frame loose, however in some cases are welded into the frame. The steel stud anchors are also placed into the throat of the door frame just like the wood stud anchors. The steel stud anchor is also constructed with 2 metal straps that can be bent to lay against the steel stud. Once the metal straps of the steel stud anchor are lined up with the steel studs, they can be screwed into place.

Multipurpose Anchors or Combination Anchors
A multipurpose anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching a masonry door frame to either a wood or steel stud wall. Multipurpose anchors look like a cross breed between the wood and steel stud anchors. The anchor is attached to the inside of the door frame throat just like the steel or wood anchors. It also has 2 metal straps that extend out similar to the wood stud or steel stud anchors we spoke of previously. Each metal strap can be bent to lay against the stud and can be nailed to the wood stud or screwed to the steel stud.

Punch and Dimple Anchors (Existing Opening Anchors)
A Punch and Dimple Anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching to a wood stud, metal stud, block wall, brick wall or other CMU (cement masonry unit) wall that is already up. This anchor type is essentially a tube and metal plate that is installed on the inside of the door frame's throat. It often comes with the frame loose or can be welded into. The door frame has a counter sunk hole located in the frame's soffit that lines up with the anchor's tube. The anchor tube essentially acts as a guide and additional support for the fastener used to attach the frame to the building. The punch and dimple anchor type is designed for installation on walls that have already been built. This anchor type requires the installer to pre-drill a hole into the building material and then depending on your material (wood, metal, or concrete) use a screw or sleeve anchor to attach the frame to the building.

Butterfly Anchors
A butterfly anchor is a type of hollow metal door masonry frame anchor used for attaching to an existing wall. This anchor is essentially the same type of anchor as the punch and dimple anchor. The only difference is the butterfly anchor is constructed in the shape of a butterfly as shown in the illustration below.

Masonry Tee Anchors
A masonry tee anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching to a block wall, brick wall, or other CMU (cement masonry unit) wall that has not been built yet. The masonry tee anchor is designed to be placed within the cement or between blocks as the wall is being built.


Masonry Wire Anchor
A masonry wire anchor is a type of hollow metal door anchor used for attaching to a block wall, brick wall, or other CMU (cement masonry unit) wall that has not been built yet. It is exactly like the masonry tee anchor, except it is designed with a wire instead of a tee shaped plate which sets into the cement.



Masonry Frame Jamb Depths

Hollow metal masonry door frames are unique in that they can be installed by butting the frame against the wall or by wrapping it. As a result masonry door frames come in a variety of jamb depths. We have listed the most common masonry door frame jamb depths below.
  • 4-3/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (3-3/4" Throat Size)
  • 5-3/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (4-3/4" Throat Size)
  • 6-1/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (5-1/4" Throat Size)
  • 7-1/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (6-1/4" Throat Size)
  • 7-3/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (6-3/4" Throat Size)
  • 8-1/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (7-1/4" Throat Size)
  • 8-3/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (7-3/4" Throat Size)
  • 9-1/4" Jamb Depth Masonry Door Frame (8-1/4" Throat Size)

Masonry Door Frame Rough Opening

The rough opening of a masonry door frame is dependent on whether the frame is installed butted up against the wall or if it wraps the wall. If the frame is butted then a larger rough opening is required than if the frame is wrapped around the wall. Below are the formulas for the calculating masonry door frame rough openings.

For Masonry Frames Wrapped Around Wall:
Masonry Frame Rough Opening Height = Opening Height + 1"
Masonry Frame Rough Opening Width = Opening Width + 2"

For Masonry Frames Butted Against Wall:
Masonry Frame Rough Opening Height = Opening Height + 2-1/4"
Masonry Frame Rough Opening Width = Opening Width + 4-1/2"


For example, if you want to order a standard 3'-0" x 7'-0" (36" x 84") hollow metal door package and plan to wrap the door frame around the wall, then the rough opening would be 38" Wide x 85" Tall. Or if you decided you wanted to butt the door frame against the wall then the rough opening would be 40-1/2" Wide x 86-1/4" Tall.

Door Frame Handing Chart

Door frames are offered in a left hand or right hand configuration. If you are looking to order a replacement door frame it can be tricky, especially since the hollow metal door packages are offered in 4 different types of hands: Right Hand, Left Hand, Right Hand Reverse, Left Hand Reverse. The illustration below shows exactly what door frame hand you need for any type of door hand. Here is a summary of what hand of frame is used with each door hand:
  • Left Hand Door Uses a Left Hand Frame
  • Right Hand Door Uses a Right Hand Frame
  • Left Hand Reverse Door Uses a Right Hand Frame
  • Right Hand Reverse Door Uses a Left Hand Frame

Hollow Metal Door Frame Construction

Hollow metal door frames come in two main construction types: knock down ("KD") or welded. Each door frame types has it's own benefits and recommended applications.

Knockdown Hollow Metal Door Frames
Knock down hollow metal door frames are 3 piece door frames that come disassembled. The head, strike jamb, and hinge jamb are bundled together and shipped with hardware. The installer has to assemble the knock down door frame. Assembly is quite simple since the frame is only made up of 3 pieces. Also, freight cost is very low since the frame components can be bundled together in a single box. Both drywall frames and masonry frames are available in "KD" or knock down form. Knock down door frames can be installed on walls that are already up, or walls that have not been made yet.

Welded Hollow Metal Door Frames
Welded hollow metal door frames are a one piece door frame where the head, strike jamb, and hinge jamb are welded together. Welded door frames are only available as masonry door frames. Welded frames are used in prehung door applications, where the door is hung within the welded frame and shipped together as a ready to install door package. Welded frames are very strong and are often specified in applications where the building wall has not been constructed yet. One con of welded door frames is the freight cost. Since welded door frames are one piece, they must be set on a pallet and shipped via common carrier, making it a very expensive alternative to knock down door frames.

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