Standard doors in 2 X 6 walls

[handyman]

     Is there an easy way to install a standard steel prehung door in a 2 X 6 wall?  Should I install it flush with the inside wall and trim around the exterior side?   Would it be better to build a door frame out of wide boards, and hang a door piece by piece?  Should I special order a perhung door for a 2 X 6 wall?


Thankyou
     

[Redoverfarm]

The easiest if you do not already have the door is to order it for the 6" wall.  Depending on what you use for siding (3/4" stock)this may not even work.  I built jamb extensions for the majority of my doors and put the extension on the inside.  I used a biscuit joiner to attach the jamb extensions to the original jam.  You will not find an easy way to attach the extensions without furing out to make them flush.  Normally you have a rough opening and the door is under that size. Thus furring out to make the extensions meet the door frame. That is why I attached the extension to the factory jamb.     

[handyman]

Rendoverfarm
     If I trim around the inside of the door won't the hinges be in the way?  If i trim around the outside, the threshold won't cover the door sill.  I would rather not spend the money for a special order.

[Redoverfarm]

I did modify the extensions some so that the hinges would clear.  Doesn't take that much trimming.  I wanted the threshold to dump any water off to the ground.  That is one of the main reasons I put the extensions on the inside. If you do decide to put the extensions on the outside you will have to make a sill out of flashing to extend it to the edge.  If not the water will work it's way under the factory threshold.  I made a sill plate out of fashia metal. Bending a 90 deg down on the outside and then 90 deg up on the inside against the factory threshold. Your flooring material will hide this. I also used caulking between the factory threshold and the sill pan I made. 

[Don_P]

There are sill extensions that click into most aluminum thresholds. Look at the exterior of the thresh, if there is a groove in it then it can take an extension. Hunt around in the big box or ask in a real building supply and they usually have some. Thresholds and especially extended ones do need full support.

Normally the best way is to E jamb the exterior so that the door can lay all the way open. If it opens against a wall coming in at 9-0 degrees to the door it isn't a big deal as the door can't open all the way around anyway. If it is in an open stretch of wall when a kid throws it open it will hit the trim and put alot of stress on the hinges. A sill pan made out of flashing is always a good idea.

You can also make custom jambs, it really isn't hard just takes a bit of time. Logs and timberframes just about always require that I make new jambs.

[MountainDon]

Are we talking about a prehung door? If so, what's the cost difference between one for a 2x4 and one for a 2x6 framed wall?  I've done the jamb extension thing (on the inside for a door that stopped at 90 degrees against a side wall) but it was a lot more work than if the door had been made for a 2x6 wall. The only reason I did it was the door was cheap; a craigslist bargain... mistake by the guy selling.

[Redoverfarm]

Redoverfarm
    If I trim around the inside of the door won't the hinges be in the way?  If i trim around the outside, the threshold won't cover the door sill.  I would rather not spend the money for a special order.

You can attach the jam extensions with pre-drilled and wooden plugged holes and use the appropriate length wood screws and glue. If you are going to add casing around the door very little will be visible.

Even a door for a 2X6 wall will fall short if you are using 3/4" T&G on the interior and 3/4" Board and batten or larer demension exterior material.

[rwanders]

Not many frame 2x4 exterior walls anymore----prehung ext doors for 2x6 walls should be readily available I would think.

[bayview]

   We framed our cabin with 2x6 . . . I extended the front entry door using wood shims.  Not attaching to the door jamb.  The extensions are about a 1/4" back from the original door jambs to accommodate the door hinges and latch.

   Well, here is a picture that may better describe it . . .   The extension is the unpainted board.