Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
To calculate the distance between door posts that are fixed to the top boxing and the
floor when the door will be hinged directly onto posts.
• Calculation for the width between the door posts for a single door hinged directly onto
the door posts:
Space between the door posts = Overall width of the door + 5 mm.
• Calculation for the width of the door buck / door jamb for double doors hinged directly
onto the door posts:
Space between the door posts = Overall width of both doors held together + 7 mm.
Fixing the door head
Fix the door head between the door posts after the door is hung. Rather than set the
height of the door head by a calculation you will find it easier to hang the door into the
opening between the door posts. Set the door high enough off the floor to allow 5 mm
clearance over and above the depth of floor coverings. If it is likely that stones may be
carried in on shoes it may be appropriate to allow 10 mm clearance so that stones do not
get wedged under the door, however this does increase air flow and associated cold drafts.
Once the door is hung the door head can be fixed in position above the door with a gap
of 2 mm between the top of the door and door head. Doors that are hinged directly onto
door posts and door bucks will require door stops for the door to close against. The door
stops should be glued into place as well as being nailed or screwed to the door jamb. The
door stop needs to be well fixed, as this is the barrier to prevent easy access to the latch of
the door lock. Without the door stop a credit card could easily be inserted between the
latch and the door jamb, or the latch could be cut to gain access.
Simple window bucks
The simple window buck can be used for windows up to 900 mm wide that have straw
bales fitted over the window. The simple window buck can also be used when windows
are to be installed without bales of straw above the windows, and where the top bale
boxing alone is capable of supporting the roof and ceiling. While it is possible to use this
system for windows fitted at either face of the wall, in the situation where bales are
required above the window it is simpler if the buck is fitted in the centre of the wall.
I will initially cover the assembly and installation of a simple window buck less than
900 mm with straw bales laid over the top of the window. Following this I will detail the
different aspects of a wider window buck without bales laid above it.
Window bucks up to 900 mm wide with bales above
The simplest window buck can be made from 90 × 45 MGP10 pine. After calculating the
required internal opening size for your buck cut two pieces of timber for the stiles (the
vertical timbers) and four pieces for the head and sill of the buck. The head is the top of
the buck while the sill is the base of the buck. Make a note when cutting the sill and head
timber to allow for the thickness of the stiles of the buck when establishing the length of
timber required after you have calculated the desired internal dimensions of the buck.
