installing laminate obstacle - metal door frame?

Question

I'm installing laminate and have noticed that the doors (4 doors) have a metal frame. I've read everywhere that I should cut the bottom of the door frame (to lay the laminate underneath) with a undercut saw but how do I cut the bottom of the metal door frame?

I've thought about using a metal cutting blade attached to a drill but I'm afraid of causing a fire!

NOTE: two of the doors have several angles in the metal frame that stick out about 1-1.5 inch.
I was told that a fein multimaster may do this cut.

Thank you so much for your help.

Answer 1

Interior door Thresholds, most often SPAN over flooring. Certainly there are transitional moldings sold specific to your purpose as well as going from Laminate to carpet; etc.

I realize that isn't the concern suggested here.

The Two verticals of a door frame should be cut, using a piece of laminate and under layment; simply as a height guide, and in such a case if the door frames are already installed There are Specific saws for that operation, if; as in your case you can't just use a BACK saw.

I'm not at all familiar with the BRAND name you include; but the specific tool is designed for just this purpose and might be available to rent? I'd avoid the Drill notion, though not at all because of a fear of fire.

I've also never used that tool, but want to imagine that it's much like a ROUTER, but with a saw blade attached, allowing the PLATE to sit on the piece of flooring as you cut into the door framing/molding.

Steven Wolf

No offense to RAW but the Q regards door framing; not THE door. Good notion otherwise.

Answer 2

Is this a fire rated door? Man...good question! Be careful, here! If it's a fire rated door, you may have to get a new door, to satisfy your fire department building code and insurance company codes.

However, if fire rating is NOT an issue, you can trim the door with a mini grinder. You need to set up some kind of guide fence, so the cut is nice and straight. File off the burrs, and touch up the bottom with a good metal paint, and you're set! there will be a wood strip on the bottom of the door. Ensure you replace this strip, if when you cut the door, there is a void, or if the fiber filling is showing. You will have to chisel out a trough in the bottom of the door and replace it. If you are taking off only about 1/4" or 1/2", this may not be necessary, as that wood strip is usually 1 1/2" thick.

Scribe and cope the flooring to fit around the metal frame, and apply a nice bead of caulking to finish the fit. You won't need much, if you cope properly.

Answer 3

DIY Doc is correct. You can rent the undercut saw, in most large cities, and use a metal cutting blade. Using a piece of the lam floor and underlayment as a depth guide you will make short work of the job at hand.

Answer 4

Metal Door Jamb

Answer 5

Sounds like a real hassle to cut through a steel frame. Just cut your flooring to install around the door frame, maybe get some caulk in a similar color to fill in gaps.

Answer 6

if the undercut saw that you are using is power and not manual you can get a blade that will cut the metal like butter with out a fire, just a few metal shavings make sure to wear eye protection.

Answer 7

You need to drill a hole first with a metal twist drill bit. Get a drill bit that is the same size as the screw shank (the solid part below the threads - the hole must be smaller than the diameter of the threads, so there is material for the threads to bite into), mark the location of the holes for the hasp on the frame, and drill the holes to the depth of the screws. Then attach the hasp.