A Beginners Guide to Hanging Doors
I'm sure I'm not the first person ever to try to hang doors with the outcome turning out to be....well lets just say 'not quite right'. The fact that I just went in headstrong didn't help for sure, so here are a few pointers worth reading before you try yourself.
The reality is that this doesn't have to be an arduous task, in fact it can be far from it. With the correct tools - Drill, screwdriver, hammer (preferable wood hammer), chisel, wood plain, tape measure and sandpaper, you can successfully hang your own doors with the minimum of fuss. All you need to do is to follow these simple instructions to ensure that you finish the day feeling very pleased with your accomplishments.
Measuring
First off measure the width and height of the door frame, subtract 4mm off the height and width to allow for clearance. This is the dimensions of your finished door. It is always a good idea to buy a door that is a little larger than the available space, it can then be trimmed to fit which will also ensure that the door fits perfectly with the doorframe. Transfer these measurements to the door. Plane the surfaces of the door evenly on all of the edges to ensure that the door stays symmetrical.
Top tips when planing the doors: always work from the top and bottom, and work inwards from the outer edges. This will avoid splitting the wood.
Finally sand all edges with an abrasive paper until smooth.
Fitting hinges
Is your door going to open left or right-handed? Ensure that you purchase two or three 100mm (4in) hinges and handles in accordance on your choice of left or right-hand opening.
Using wedges to support the door, test its fit in the doorframe, making any alterations as required. Once you are happy with the fit, using the wedges again, prop the door in an open position and mark the position of the hinges. When marking the position of the hinges use a pencil to mark around the whole edge of the hinge, hatch off the inside area ready for when you make the recesses. Two hinges are normally sufficient for internal doors, however you may prefer to use 3 on heavy doors.
With a chisel and hammers create recesses of an equal depth in the door and the stile so the hinges can fit flush to the door. As a general rule the top hinge needs to be about 175-250mm from the top of door and the bottom hinge about 250 mm from the bottom of the door. Drill pilot holes in the door for and attach the hinges. Ensure that the hinges are flush and flat.
Hanging the door
Using wedges to raise and support the door, prop the door in the open position. Carefully mark the location of the hinges on the door frame. Chisel out the necessary hinge recesses in the door frame. Screw the door and hinges to the frame using just one screw per hinge. Test the door works properly and make any adjustments as necessary. Once you are satisfied fix the remaining screws onto the door.
The reality is that this doesn't have to be an arduous task, in fact it can be far from it. With the correct tools - Drill, screwdriver, hammer (preferable wood hammer), chisel, wood plain, tape measure and sandpaper, you can successfully hang your own doors with the minimum of fuss. All you need to do is to follow these simple instructions to ensure that you finish the day feeling very pleased with your accomplishments.
Measuring
First off measure the width and height of the door frame, subtract 4mm off the height and width to allow for clearance. This is the dimensions of your finished door. It is always a good idea to buy a door that is a little larger than the available space, it can then be trimmed to fit which will also ensure that the door fits perfectly with the doorframe. Transfer these measurements to the door. Plane the surfaces of the door evenly on all of the edges to ensure that the door stays symmetrical.
Top tips when planing the doors: always work from the top and bottom, and work inwards from the outer edges. This will avoid splitting the wood.
Finally sand all edges with an abrasive paper until smooth.
Fitting hinges
Is your door going to open left or right-handed? Ensure that you purchase two or three 100mm (4in) hinges and handles in accordance on your choice of left or right-hand opening.
Using wedges to support the door, test its fit in the doorframe, making any alterations as required. Once you are happy with the fit, using the wedges again, prop the door in an open position and mark the position of the hinges. When marking the position of the hinges use a pencil to mark around the whole edge of the hinge, hatch off the inside area ready for when you make the recesses. Two hinges are normally sufficient for internal doors, however you may prefer to use 3 on heavy doors.
With a chisel and hammers create recesses of an equal depth in the door and the stile so the hinges can fit flush to the door. As a general rule the top hinge needs to be about 175-250mm from the top of door and the bottom hinge about 250 mm from the bottom of the door. Drill pilot holes in the door for and attach the hinges. Ensure that the hinges are flush and flat.
Hanging the door
Using wedges to raise and support the door, prop the door in the open position. Carefully mark the location of the hinges on the door frame. Chisel out the necessary hinge recesses in the door frame. Screw the door and hinges to the frame using just one screw per hinge. Test the door works properly and make any adjustments as necessary. Once you are satisfied fix the remaining screws onto the door.
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