framing basement door

ant1929

I am replacing my basement exterior door my question is can i use 4x4 insted of 2x4 to frame the rough opening due to a very large opening the old door i am removing had 2x4 nailed together to make the opeing smaller

BJLower

A 4x4 iw 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 whereas a 2x4 is only 3 1/2 x1 1/2. So 2 2x4's will give you 3 inches and a 4x4 will give you 3 1/2 inches. I think the 2 2x4's would be a bit easier. IF you want to make them realy solid, glue and screw them.

Scuba_Dave

What size is the existing door ?
I had something like that in my basement
Removed the 2x's & put in a 36' wide door
Much easier to get stuff in & out - washer, dryer, freezer etc

ant1929

any good advice on the a fastner for the 4x4 to the concrete wall

ant1929

current door is only 30" the new door i would like it to be 36" the concrete opening is over 40 " i believe it is 42" i have to measure again

Scuba_Dave

A 36" door will be about 38 1/2" w/frame depending upon the Mfg
With a 40" opening you only need (1) 2x on one side
With 42" opening you need (1) on each side

jlhaslip

Any door opening rough opening size should be 2 inches larger than the stated door size.
ie: 36" door plus 2" you need a 38" rough opening.

I would not use a 4x4 as a header for this reason: a 4x4 will twist and warp more than a pair of 2 x 4's nailed together.

Framed a McMansion once with 4x headers and then went back 2 years later to replace them. Drywall repairs included. It was a big mistake.

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ant1929

thanks for the good advice any one have any advice for the best fastners and screws to attach the wood to the masonery

jlhaslip

fastening the door jamb? or a 2x4 std?
There are screws called Tapcons which would likely suit the task at hand. pre-drill the wood, set it in place a drill through the pre-drill hole to mark your spot. if your bit is long enough, carry on, but if it is short, remove the wood, finish the hole and set the wood back in place.
maybe some adhesive behind the wood.

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ant1929

the wood to the concrete

ant1929

I am installing my door this week another issue that came up was installing it over the bare concrete floor or put a piece of wood down i already fixed the concrete to make it level but is ok to install it over the concrete