how to make door frames cover thicker walls in revit

3 min read 31-01-2025

how to make door frames cover thicker walls in revit

Revit's default door family behavior can sometimes present challenges when dealing with thicker-than-standard walls. Standard door frames might not fully cover the wall thickness, leaving unsightly gaps. This article will guide you through several methods to ensure your door frames seamlessly integrate with thicker walls in your Revit models.

Understanding the Problem: Default Door Frame Behavior

Revit's built-in door families are typically designed for standard wall thicknesses. When you place a door in a wall significantly thicker than the default, the frame might not extend to cover the entire wall surface. This leaves exposed wall areas, impacting the visual appeal and potentially the accuracy of your model.

Methods for Covering Thicker Walls with Door Frames

Here are a few strategies to address this issue, ranging from simple workarounds to more involved family editing:

1. Using a Thicker Door Family

The simplest solution: Start by checking the Revit library for door families designed for thicker walls. Revit provides a range of pre-built families. Browse these for options suited to your wall thickness. If you find a suitable family, simply place it as you normally would. This often eliminates the need for complex modifications.

2. Adjusting the Door Frame's Extents within the Family Editor

More control, but requires some Revit expertise: This method involves directly modifying the door family within the Family Editor.

Open the Family: Open the door family you want to modify.
Identify the Frame: Locate the components representing the door frame. These are usually nested within the family.
Adjust Parameters: Modify the width parameters of the frame elements to extend them to your desired thickness. Remember to adjust the parameters so the frame covers the wall on both sides.
Test and Save: Place the modified door family in your project to test its fit. Save the modified family for future use. Always back up your original family before making modifications.

3. Creating a Custom Door Family

Most flexible, but requires advanced Revit skills: For unique wall thicknesses or complex frame designs, create a custom door family. You have total control over all aspects of the frame.

Start a New Family: Begin a new family in the Family Editor, selecting the appropriate template.
Model the Frame: Create the door frame geometry to accurately reflect your needs. Pay attention to the overall dimensions to ensure coverage on thicker walls.
Parameters: Define parameters for the frame's dimensions. This allows you to adjust the frame size easily.
Test and Load: Load the custom family into your project and check its fit.

4. Using Nested Families for Complex Frames

Ideal for intricate designs: For extremely detailed or complex door frames, consider using nested families. Separate families can represent individual frame parts (e.g., jambs, casings, etc.), offering greater flexibility and control.

Create Separate Families: Build individual families for each frame element.
Nest Within Main Family: Nest the individual families within the main door family.
Adjust Parameters: Utilize parameters to easily adjust the dimensions of each nested element independently.

5. Workarounds with Wall Finishes

Quick visual fix, but doesn't modify the model: This is more of a visual solution than a model adjustment. If the gaps are minimal, you might simply apply wall finishes (like paint or paneling) that extend beyond the door frame. This can cover the gap and maintain the model's core structure.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your Revit skills and the complexity of the project.

For minor wall thickness differences, a thicker pre-made family from the library is the quickest solution.
For more significant adjustments, modifying an existing family provides excellent control.
For intricate designs or unique situations, creating a custom family offers maximum flexibility.

Remember always to save your work frequently and back up your Revit files. Consistent saving protects your progress and reduces the risk of data loss. Utilizing these methods helps ensure your Revit models accurately reflect the design intent, even with thicker-than-average walls.