How To Hang A Door

Hanging a door is quite straight forward, but getting it wrong will cause a lot of problems when using the door forever after. Large gaps between the door and frame will allow drafts when shut but a fit that’s too tight will prevent it shutting at all or will cause it to stick when closed. And if it isn’t lined up properly the door will not latch or lock properly so it’s a job worth getting right first time.   Bits you will need... • Door! • Hand planer and chisel • Sand paper • Tape measure • Hinges • Screws for the hinges • Drill and drill bits to suit screws • Pencil • Wedges   Hanging the Door 1) Before you start measure the old door for a rough starting point on the correct size to cut the door to. Be sure not to reproduce any problems with the fit of the new door by copying a badly fitting previous door. 2) Trim the new door to the appropriate size using the hand planer. The door needs to be 1/4 of an inch smaller than the door opening and by doing it bit by bit you are less likely to take too much off. Having to remove more to get a good fit is not a problem. Taking too much off is an expensive problem. Repeat this step until the door is exactly the right size. 3) Sand the edges of the door until the wood is smooth to the touch and there are no splinters when you run your hand along the edges. 4) Place the door against the opening to ensure that it fits properly, and if it doesn't then repeat the second step.

Example of a Butt Hinge 5) Choose the direction you want the door to open and position your hinges on the doors edge. It’s easiest to keep the setting the same as the previous door unless you are going to remove the old stops on the door linings. TIP - remember the hinges should be on the opposite side of the frame to the light switch on your wall. For example if the light switch is on the right hand side of the frame then the hinge needs to be on the left hand side of the door. 6) Holding the hinges in place on the door's edge draw round them with the pencil. The hinges ideally will be placed 6 inches from the top and bottom of the door, and one in the centre if the door is especially heavy. 7) Assuming you are going to be sinking the hinges into the frame and door carefully use a chisel to chip away the wood inside where you marked the hinges. The hinge will need to sit flush with the door, so it does not obstruct the door when opening or closing. Sand the area after to remove splinters. 8) Place the hinge back on the door. This time the hinge should sit precisely inside the excavation where you cut away the wood. It should be flush against the end of the door. If it’s not, re-chisel and sand again until smooth. Be sure to take off small amounts and reassess the fit, better to take off too little than too much. 9) When you are happy with the fit of the hinges on the door drill small pilot holes for the screws and attach the hinge to the door with the screws. 10) Now you want to position the door within the door frame so you can mark out the place the hinges will go so open the hinges up and temporarily hold the door into the door frame. Sometimes this part is easier with a second person though frankly that depends hugely on who the second person is. TIP put a thin magazine, screwdriver or folded newspaper under the door as a ‘spacer’ to lift it up so that once it is fixed it will be able to swing open and closed freely without too big a gap. 11) Trace around each hinge on the frame to mark where the hinge will need to be placed on the door frame. When you have done this you should rest the door safely nearby to give you access to work on the door frame. 12) Cut away the wood inside where you marked the hinge, do not cut too deep as the hinge will need to sit flush with the door frame. As with before it is best to take too little at a time than too much. Use a spare hinge or take one off the door to keep checking so you don’t have to keep moving the whole door into position. 13) When you are happy with the fit of the hinges in the frame excavations drill small pilot holes for the screws. With the hinges already attached to the door hold up the door in to position and screw the door to the frame. 14) Finally open and close the door to ensure that the door is hung properly and swings freely without scraping on the floor or carpet.