Do I undercut a metal door jamb when installing laminate flooring? The 'experts' seem to disagree.?

Question

I have researched this issue in installing laminate flooring in metal framed doorways without getting a definitive answer. It seems to me if the door jamb is cut through the integrity of the structure coould be weakened. Any other experts have an poinion?

Answer 1

More than likely, unless you have the proper tools, cutting the jambs will cause you more damage and future problems than what it`s worth. I`d fit the flooring around the opening

Another solution may be to remove the unit, do your flooring then reinstall the door on top of the new flooring.

What you want in the end is the door jambs resting on a solid surface to reduce the chances of future door movement. Lots of "Flooring Experts" seem to ignore this problem when under cutting door jambs. (That`s where I come in)

Answer 2

If your flooring will be a "floating " floor, it is best to undercut the jambs.  Otherwise, you need to leave 1/4" gap between the floor and the edge of the jamb, which looks bad.

In most cases, undercutting the jamb in no way affects the integrity of the jambs, you are only trimming the bottom 5/16" or so off it.  When hanging a door, usually one jamb is up off the floor in order to get the head-jamb level.

Answer 3

If the door jamb is a TIMELY or similar, which are screwed to the framing, through the drywall, and the casing then "snapped on," then cut the jamb, if not, cut the flooring material.