This is a collaborative post
If you own a home, chances are you may have to hang a new interior door from time to time. Your old door could be damaged, or you may want to renovate the space with new updated doors. In any case, you should not view this as a daunting task.
This handy, step-by-step guide will help you learn all that you need to know about hanging doors internal. Being able to do the job yourself will give you a great sense of accomplishment, and cost you less compared to the cost of having to hire someone to do the job for you.
You’ll learn all the steps of replacing a standard interior door. These steps include how to trim the door to the perfect size, as well as how to find the hanging position that is perfect for your new door.
Things to Consider Before Hanging an Interior Door
- Shop around. Keep in mind that interior doors are available in a variety of sizes and different finishes, and are made of different materials. Check them all out to find the one that best fits in with your home’s decor and style, and your budget.
- Buying a standard door does not guarantee that you won’t have to trim it. That is especially true if you have an older home. The frame may not be a perfect rectangle in older homes.
- If you determine that you will have to trim your new door, check with the manufacturer’s specifications as to how much a particular door can be trimmed. Each door and manufacturer has their own specifications.
- Your new door has to acclimatise before you hang it. Lay the door on a flat surface for about three days prior to installation. The floor of a seldom used room is a good place to lay the door.
Safety First
- Protect your eyes with safety goggles.
- Keep hands splinter-free with work gloves.
- Secure wood before sawing or drilling.
- Chisel away from the body not toward it.
- Ask for help as interior doors can be heavy.
Have the Correct Tools On Hand
- Lever.
- Planer.
- Screws and hinges.
- Hammer.
- Screwdriver.
- Chisel.
- Pencil.
- Door wedge.
- Measuring tape.
- Saw.
- New door.
Let’s Get Started
Remove your old door.
- Using a screwdriver, remove the old door.
- Use caution to preserve the hinge rebates.
- Move the old door to an out-of-the way place.
Measuring the frame and the new door.
- Measure the door frame from bottom to top. Measure both sides in case the frame is a perfect rectangle.
- Measure the new door. Again measure both sides. If the door is too large, you will have to trim it.
Trimming the new door
- Place the door on a secure work surface.
- Use the planer or saw to begin trimming from the bottom of the door.
- If you have an oak door, be sure to plane in the direction of the grain of the wood.
- To reduce the odds of splintering, plane toward the centre.
Does it fit?
- Place the door into the frame.
- You should have a 2mm gap between the door and the door frame on all sides.
- Continue making adjustments until the door fits.
- If further planning is needed, work on the side with the hinges, since that side will be hidden.
- Only use the planer on the other side if large adjustments are needed.
Once you’re sure the door fits, it’s time for the hinges.
- Mark the areas on your new door where the hinges line up with the top and bottom of the hinge rebate.
- Place the door on the work area and mark the thickness of the hinges.
- Place the hinges where they will go and trace them.
- Use the hammer and chisel to chisel the outline of the hinges. Be sure to chisel down to the depth of the hinges.
- Place the hinges into the outline and screw them to the door. Start with the upper hinge as it’s always easier.
Putting the door into the frame
- Use wedges to hold the new door in position in the frame.
- Screw the hinges into the hinge rebates on the frame.
- Be sure the screw heads are flat with the hinge so the door will open and close properly.
- Try the door to ensure it swings open and closed before installing all the screws. Once you’ve determined that it’s working as it should, finish installing the screws. The new door should operate smoothly.
You now have your brand new door installed. Get rid of the old door, and your work is done. If you would like to learn more and watch a video on how to hang a door, visit the Moderniser blog. In addition to a helpful video tutorial, you’ll find details on hanging a new door in your home.