How to Hang a Door Yourself
This is a step-by-step guide on how to hang a door. Before you follow these steps, be sure that you’ve prepared your area as well as the equipment and materials you require, along with the proper protection equipment. Following these steps will be a list of useful checklists that can help you.
Step 1
The first step is to take a tape measure to figure out the dimensions your door will need to be. Take a measurement of the height between the ground and the highest point of your door frame and then, the length.
It’s best to make three measurements of the width of the frame: one at the top, one in the middle, and the third at the lower end of the frame. Note the measurements.
Step 2
Take your door and ensure it’s placed in the correct way around. To aid in orientating it, the proper direction should be clearly marked along the edges on the doors.
There is an arrow that should point towards the direction of the handle where it should go. If the handle isn’t clearly identified it is possible to draw an arrow large enough across the edge to guide you.
Step 3
The next step is to verify that your door frame is straight and square. To do this, you need to take your level with your hands and then place it against the vertical side of the door frame.
Make sure the bubble of your spirit level is positioned between the two guides. Then, you can bring your square on the corner of the frame and determine if it’s neat and square. Ideally it should fit into each corner with ease.
Step 4
In the next step, make your measurements and then apply them to the door to allow you to cut it down to the size you want. Begin with the height, then measure from top to bottom and then mark the bottom left and left sides of the door.
Then, draw an even line with a pencil and a metal ruler, and this will provide the precise guidelines for cutting the door’s height according to.
Step 5
Then, take your circular saw, and set it up so it’s teeth line with the pencil marks. Cut along the bottom using the saw. After that, smooth the cut edges using the sandpaper.
Step 6
The width measurement has transferred to the door after. Mark the bottom, middle and the top of the door using the measurements you have taken and draw straight lines along all the way, joining the three marks. This will be your next guideline for trimming the door.
Step 7
Make use of your electric plane and move it over the edge of your door to cut off any excess material up to the line. You’ll have to apply a substantial quantity of force to your plane in order to eliminate a straight and uniform slice from the door. You may also need to smooth out the cut edges using sandpaper.
Step 8
The next step can be more difficult, and you might need an additional set of hands. It is also possible to require wedges as well as two-pence parts to help place the door properly inside the frame. The best gap between the left, right and the top part of your door will be the size of a coin worth two pence.
Therefore, you can utilise the coins to ensure that you have an even and proper size gap. To keep the door in its proper location, use your wedges to adjust until you’re satisfied with how your door is placed.
Step 9
You’ve now put your door in its preferred place. You’ll need to mark the place where the hinges need to be placed. Three indents should be present on the door frame where the hinges of your old door were, or where the new hinges will be placed.
Make these marks on your new door to are aware of where to put the hinges. It is only necessary to make one mark on where you think the hinge’s bottom must be.
Take your door off the frame. Pick one of your hinges and place one mark to the top of the hinge. Then, trace around the hinge until you’ve traced the width and the thickness of it on your door. Repeat this process for the remaining two hinges.
Step 10
The next step is to get sturdy wood chisels as well as a wooden mallet to form the hinges’ indentations. Make use of a chisel that is the right size to draw your hinge’s outline in the doors.
It is best to stay within the pencil line and tap lightly until you’ve got a thin groove. After that, you can use the chisel and begin cutting out the wood within the lines you’ve chiseled.
Do not attempt to remove all the wood at once in case you make it split. The most effective method is to gently tap the chisel in 4-to-6 millimetre intervals prior to using the chisel’s smooth edge to take out the wood.
If you’ve taken away enough wood, you’ll be able to place each hinge within the chiselled sections. Once the hinges are set installed, mark the location of each screw hole that needs to go with a pencil.
Step 11
With an electric drill fitted with a drill bit that is suitable and a pilot hole, you can make holes for hinge screws that you have drawn on your pencil lines. The drill bit must have a smaller diameter than the screws. Then it’s time to attach the hinges of each to the door with your electric screwdriver.
Step 12
It’s now time to place your door into the frame. To do this, you’ll require your wedges once more or another set of hands aid you.
The hinges should be aligned on the door to the holes within the frame. Attach the door loosely onto the frame putting an anchor screw into the middle of each hinge with an electric screwdriver.
Then slowly move the door open, then close it to make sure it’s fitted correctly. If you’re satisfied you’re satisfied, then screw in the other fixings to attach it to your frame.
Step 13
It is now time to install your handles for your door as well as a latch mechanism so that you are able to open and shut your door in a proper manner. In order to fix this you’ll need to create some guidelines at the edges of your door.
Use your pencil to mark the point where the central part of the striker has to attach to the door. Draw a straight line across the edge of the door with the square you have set. Utilise a tape measure for marking the middle of the door’s edge along this line.
Then, you’ll need an angled drill that’s slightly larger than your latch. 22mm bits are usually just the right size. Make a masking tape, and wrap it around the drill bit’s arm in the same way that your latch.
This will help you determine how far you have to drill into the door’s edge. While holding the door open with the wedges, you can drill into the door’s edge, to mark the centre mark.
Step 14
The strike plate of your latch should be placed over the hole and draw a line around the plate with a pencil. Then, using your chisels, take off the wood from your guideline up to the level of the strike plate.
Tap your chisel along the lines to make an arc. Then, utilise the edge of a flat blade to cut away the wood. Then, make sure whether your strike plate sits perfectly on the edge of the door.
Once it’s set, make your hole for pilots to screw. Since the screws will also have to fit flush with the door, you can use a countersink tool to create indentures for the screws to slot into.
Step 15
The next step is to make a hole in your latch bar to be attached to your handle. In order to do that, put your handle at the proper level on the outside of the door. Then, mark with a pencil in the location where the opening for your bar will be.
Choose suitable Flat drill bits. A 13mm diameter is typically the ideal size. This will be used to create the hole that will go through your door. It is advisable to drill the hole from both sides instead of from one side because this could cause the door’s surface to split or chip.
You can now pop the latch mechanism into position and secure it using your screws. Next, grab your latch bar, and slot it through the hole that you have made.
Step 16
Then, it’s time to join the handles. Close the door and slide the first handle onto the bar that holds it. Then, use your level and make sure whether the handle is level. As you hold the handle with a firm grip so it does not slip, make your pilot holes for screws, and then secure them with screws.
Repeat the procedure for the handle on the opposite part of your door. Do an initial test to make sure everything works correctly and you’re done.
Tools to Fit a New Door
There are a number of tools for hanging doors to complete your door installation. If you’re unsure about power tools, you should ask someone to assist you or employ an expert.
Here’s the complete list of the tools you’ll need to hang your door:
- Tape measures
- Spirit level One small and one level that is long
- Pencil
- Set square
- Handsaw or circular saw
- Electric plane
- Clamps to keep the door while cutting the door to fit
- Sandpaper ideal for the use with wood
- Electric drill
- Drill bits set, including flat bits
- Screwdriver
- Set of wood chisels with sharp edges
- Wooden mallet
Safety Equipment to Hang a Door
When you undertake DIY tasks, make sure you always are equipped with the appropriate equipment for safety. Dust and other tiny particles could damage your eyesight. In addition, the noise of power tools could damage your hearing.
Here’s what you can do to ensure your safety when putting up the door:
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
- Ear protectors or plugs
- Protective work gloves
Materials to Fit a New Door
These are the essential materials that you’ll need to hang your door. There are some that are obvious however, there are some useful accessories that can make the hanging of your door easier
- The door you choose to use for your internal entrance
- Three-door hinges
- Door handles
- Mechanism to latch
- Repairs (latch bar, screws)
- Plastic or wood wedges for keeping the door in place after installation
- Twopence coins will aid you in positioning the door
- Masking tape to make an outline for the drill bit
How to Prepare to Install a Door
The process of installing a door isn’t that complicated, but first you’ll have to clear some space. You must ensure that you have enough space to work without falling into furniture or knocking objects over. It’s best to leave some space between the two edges of the entrance.
There’s also space to perform repairs to the door when it’s outside of the frame. This could be indoors or outside. It may be better working near to the door to avoid having to carry the door back and two, you might want to work outdoors in order to minimise the amount of sawdust that gets into your house.
If you’re working inside it’s best to open the windows to let some air flow in when you’re sanding or planing.
If you have an old door that you want to take out, you’ll have to remove the first. If you’re planning to reuse some of the furniture on your door, ensure that you keep this in a safe location to ensure that you don’t get rid of any pieces.
When the door is taken out from the frame it’s an ideal time to wash or paint the frame while you’re able to reach it. It is important to allow enough time for the paint to dry prior to hanging the door however.
Before hanging your door it’s best to make sure that you have the tools and equipment you require. You don’t want to be halfway through the project only to realise you’re not able to get everything to complete your door installation. Checklists are a good resource to accomplish this.
If the door you’re installing is made of wood it’s best to let it adapt to the surroundings. It is recommended to place it on its side in the space where it is to be put in and then leave it there for around one week.
Door Maintenance
Doors are usually located in areas that are heavily used by people within the home, and are subject to many uses. A little bit of maintenance could ensure that your door is in top condition.
Doors made of wood or having veneers of wood are able to be kept in great condition by taking care to maintain their surface in a way that is safe. Re-coating them with stain, varnish or oil every now and then can help to maintain their good working order.
Cleaning the handles and doors can also ensure the appearance of the surfaces, and appear nice. Follow the guidelines of the manufacturer for the kind of cleaner you should apply. A duster and wood polish will remove stained or varnished doors. Doors that are stained or painted can be cleaned down using a damp cloth and a mild cleaner like washing-up liquid.
The doors that are coated with glaze are cleaned using window cleaner or vinegar and warm water and then buff them dry using an ointment-free cloth. Handles are made of various materials, therefore you must wash them with a suitable commercial cleaner and then the appropriate kind of wax that is appropriate for the metal.
Lubricate your hinge and latch mechanisms when the door is hard to close and open in order to prevent damage to moving parts and make sure that you don’t use your hands too much, which could cause damage to the door.
In the end, it’s not just the door that needs maintenance, but also the frame and the walls surrounding it. Make sure your framework is clean by vacuuming or dusting all latch holes and hinges to keep them from getting clogged with dust and dirt. Utilise a fixed or movable doorstop to stop doorstops from causing damage to walls.
How to Remove a Door
When you are installing a new door inside there’s a chance that you’ll need to take out an old door. There’s a secure and easy method to take out the door, and make it easier for you to do so.
In the beginning, you’ll need to make a few basic tools. You’ll need a nail, hammer and a screwdriver with a flat head. Get your tools out and sit within the room the door opens to.
Close the door. You should be able to observe the hinges of your door protruding out from the frame. Every hinge has a pin that runs through it. You have to remove all three hinge pins in order to take them out of the door.
There are many methods for doing this depending on how secure the hinge pins are; however, the most effective method is to place your nail upside-down at the base of the hinge and then use a tool to press the nail upwards to loosen the hinge pin with care.
When the pin is moved just a few millimetres you can break it with a screwdriver, or if it’s loose enough, you can pull it out with your hands.
After the three pins are eliminated, the door will be able to open from the frame. It is necessary to pull it open a bit using the handle on the door first. After that, use the weight on the upper part of the door then gently pull it toward you, and lay it on its side. It’s best to have someone else to assist you in doing this. The remaining hinges are hidden within the doorframe, therefore you’ll need the appropriate screwdriver for removing these hinges.
FAQs
Q: What’s the best paint for internal doors?
A: If your doors are made of wood, you have a choice of satin, gloss and eggshell paints. Which you use is down to personal preference. Gloss paint has a high sheen and is usually hard-wearing, although it can take longer to dry.
Satin has less of a sheen and is durable, with some paint brands being wipeable. Eggshell has a more matt finish that suits many modern interior décor styles but is less durable. If you’re painting on bare wood, you may need a primer coat first, depending on what type of paint you choose.
Q: How much does it cost to hang a new door?
A: Fitting a door can cost as little as £40 to hang. Popular internal doors such as flush or panel doors cost between £70 and £150 to supply and hang.
However, it may cost more if you need the door cutting to size and latches added. Any paintwork or framework jobs will also add to the cost. The material the door is made of can also affect the price. Solid oak doors will cost more than laminated or moulded doors with a hollow core.
Q: Do internal doors come in standard sizes?
A: In the UK, there is no standard door size, and many doorframes vary in size, depending on the age and style of the house. However, internal doors tend to come in four sizes, with edges you can cut or plane to fit your frame.
Many doorframes suit a 1981mm x 762mm x 35mm door size, although newly built houses often have wider doors for wheelchair access.
Q: What’s the best material for a door?
A: Hardwood is the traditional material for internal doors. It adds character, helps to keep out draughts and is easy to paint, stain or varnish to your tastes.
However, moulded MDF and hollow core doors can be easier to install and handle as they’re lighter, and they can also be more cost-effective. If your house or room is lacking natural light, a glazed door may be a good option too. But do make sure the door is fitted with glass that meets the British Safety Standard.
Q: Can I replace a door handle?
A: If your handle mechanism is broken or you fancy a change, you should be able to change your door handle by unscrewing the handle plate.
However, if you change handle style, you may be left with marks or holes from your old handle plate that need filling with a wood filler and then painting over.
