Attach frame to cast wall

[Kurtivan]

The basement in our old house will finally get some doors in the doorways! I, who have previously used frame screws when installing doors and windows where it's framed with wood, am now wondering if you do the same but with screw plugs in the cast wall?

 

[MathiasS]

Yes, the same. Fix the frame and then drill the hole for the plug with the frame in place, insert the plug and frame screw.

 

[Kurtivan]

The frame screw drill is probably allergic to concrete? You have to fiddle a bit to get the plug hole in the right place?

 

[MathiasS]

Yes, it's very important to have the hole for the plug centered, and of course, you need to use a drill for concrete, not the wood drill you use for the frame...

 

[Kurtivan]

No, I mean it, the frame screw drill, or actually the drill bit, is combined from a centering drill where the frame screw is to be fastened in the stud and a 14 mm for the hole in the frame.

 

[MathiasS]

Ok, I understand - I have never used one of those so I didn't think along those lines. A regular wood drill is enough for me...

The answer is probably the same though.

 

[simon_isacsson]

I would have screwed wooden battens around the hole first, then attached the window to the wooden frame.

That is at least the standard in new construction.

 

[Snickar-Urban]

I usually use karmhylsor. Screw the hylsor into the frame, fix the frame, and use a thin pen to mark the holes. Remove the frame, drill all the holes at once, insert the plugs, reassemble the frame, and screw it in place.

 

[MathiasS]

I would have screwed wooden battens around the hole first. and then attached the window to the wooden frame.

this is at least the standard in new construction.

That works well if you can determine the size of the door opening (as in new construction). Otherwise, the door will be very narrow to pass through compared to what it could have been.

 

[Per_Kylsten]

Foam insulation??

sticks like hell.

measure the frame with the door in - plus you need spacers between the door leaf and the frame - otherwise, the foam will squeeze the frame so that the door cannot be opened.

/per

 

[verktygsgurun]

I usually use jamb sleeves. Screw the sleeves into the frame, fix the frame and use a narrow pen to mark the holes. Remove the frame, drill all the holes at once, insert the plugs, remount the frame, and screw it in place.

Or leave the frame in place, drill with a 6mm concrete drill through the sleeve and in with a concrete/brick screw.

 

[magnu]

Or leave the frame in place, drill with a 6mm concrete drill through the sleeve and in with a concrete/brick screw.

Brilliant - I hadn't thought of that!

1 Don't bother to drill out the holes in the frame!
2 Assemble the frame
3 Place the frame exactly where you want it. Fix with wedges
4 Measure that the frame is straight with a really good (=expensive) spirit level, preferably a straightedge
5 Check that the diagonals in the frame are equal
6 Install a small, long drill in the hammer drill
7 Using the frame as a "jig" drill holes in the concrete
8 Enlarge the holes in the concrete with a larger concrete drill
9 Mount the frame with some type of frame fixing, there are a few options available at hardware stores. Choose what you think fits your situation best