How to Attach a Door Frame to a Concrete Wall

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Things You'll Need

  • Level

  • Wood shims

  • Hammer drill

  • 3-inch masonry screws

  • 4-inch masonry screws

  • Fine-toothed saw

Installing a wooden frame in a concrete wall requires some strong hardware.

The process for installing a door and frame in a wall is the same, whether the wall is made of wood, steel studs or concrete. However, the tools and materials required for installation in a concrete wall are slightly more heavy-duty than those needed to install a frame on wood, due to the concrete's hard, durable makeup. If you don't have the equipment necessary for the job, you can rent it so you don't have to purchase those items.

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Step 1

Slide the door frame into the concrete wall opening. Place a level on the bottom of the frame and check to see if it is level. If it is not, lift up the bottom of the frame and slide shims under the frame until it is level. Stack the shims on top of each other until the frame levels out.

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Step 2

Remove the frame and attach the stack of shims to the floor. If the floor is concrete, attach the shims with a 3-inch masonry screw. Drill a pilot hole for the screw with the hammer drill set to the rotary function. Drill one hole through the stack of shims. Too many holes could split the shims, and you only want to keep them from shifting. The hammer drill is operated in the same fashion as a regular drill and will go through the shims and into the concrete more easily. Next, drill the masonry screw into the floor, using a regular drill.

Step 3

Slide the frame back into the opening and press the hinge side of the door frame against the adjacent wall. Place a level against the hinge side of the frame to verify whether it is exactly plumb. If not, slide shims between the concrete wall and the frame. Insert the shims at the top of the door behind the topmost hinge. Continue stacking shims on top of each other until the side of the frame, as well as the bottom, is level. Add shims behind the bottom hinge, if necessary.

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Step 4

Attach 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 wall. Use the hammer drill to make the hole, and then a regular drill to insert the screw.

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Step 5

Insert shims into any gaps at the top and opposite side of the frame, screwing them in with masonry screws.

Step 6

Cut all shims flush with the frame, using a small, fine-toothed saw.

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