What Is the Difference Between a Door Jamb and a Door Frame?

Believe it or not, a door jamb and a door frame are technically two completely different things. Us mere mortals will refer to the entire unit as a door frame, when in actual fact, there are many elements to a door frame, such as the jamb.

A jamb is the flat surface that runs vertically up either side of the door frame. The door jamb is vital to the running of the door. This is where the hinges are placed to hang the door, as well as the striker plate on the opposite door jamb which helps you to open, close and lock your door.

The door frame is all the elements combined. These elements consist of:

• Head

• Sill or Threshold

• Door Stop

• Jamb

• Lining or Casing

• Architrave

And, it’s pretty hard to determine what is what simply by reading the names. The names don’t really make any sense to us mere mortals. Below, we’ve outlined the names given to door frame parts and a brief insight into what each one does.

Head

The head of a door frame is the lintel-type object that sits horizontally across the top of the door. For internal doors, a head is made from wood. A head on an external door is made from wood, uPVC, or aluminium.

A head will usually have 2 sets of grooves for the jamb. The jamb of the frame will slide into these two grooves.

Sill/Threshold

Making our way to the bottom of the door. The horizontal section of the door frame, that sits beneath the door itself, is called a sill or a threshold. A sill is primarily used on external doors. It helps water to drain off on the outside of the property rather than the inside.

For internal door frames, the sill attaches to the two vertical sides of the frame. It strengthens the frame and stops it from becoming bent or warped.

Door Frame Stop

A door frame stop is different from a door stop, although it does the same job. A door frame stop is a thin strip of wood that runs around the inside of the entire frame. This door stop prevents the door from swinging backwards and forwards like a saloon door.

Jamb

A door jamb is what most of us would refer to as the door frame. A door jamb is the vertical piece of wood that runs either side of the door. The jamb is the section of the door frame that your door is attached to via hinges. The opposite door jamb will contain the recess which allows the door to be opened, closed, and locked.

Lining/Casing

Door lining or casing is usually displayed as a lining or casing set. This set contains the head, jambs, and sill of the door frame. A door lining allows you to hang your door while providing a casing to remove the gap between the frame and the wall.

Architrave

An architrave is also referred to as jamb casing. The architrave is the decorative piece of wood that surrounds the entire door frame. An architrave is used to hide any working parts of the door that hasn’t been concealed by the door lining.

An architrave is purchased separately from the door and door frame as it can be designed to match the surrounding skirting boards, as not to draw attention to it.