An old door can really date and cheapen the look of a room, but by hanging a new door you can transform a room from tired to timeless and it couldn’t be easier, quicker or cheaper to do if you follow these simple instructions!
Out with the old
To remove the old door, first put some wedges underneath for support. Remove the screws from the top hinge (you may need to be firm with some screws or scrape off excess paint covering screws before they can be taken out). Next remove the screws from the bottom hinge and gently ease the door away from the frame.
In with the new
Place the new door into the frame to check the fit. Generally you should expect a gap of 2mm all the way around the door and a gap of between 5-10mm at the bottom of the door depending on your flooring. If you have a thick carpet you will need a bigger gap!
To remove more than 6mm off the door it is worth using a saw and sanding the rough edges away afterwards. Any less than 6mm and you should be able to use a hand plane to remove the excess, again, you may need to sand away any rough edges afterwards.
Check and re-check that the door is the correct size, adjusting further with a hand plane and sandpaper as necessary.
Fitting Door Hinges
Fit the new hinges to the door frame. You may be lucky and find that the new hinges are the same size as the old hinges so the recesses do not need adjusting. If this isn’t the case place the new hinges over the existing recesses and draw around them in pencil. Use a chisel and mallet to remove the excess wood from the frame. Check the size of the recess and continue to adjust the size as necessary.
Line up the hinge so the pivots protrude slightly from the edge of the door frame. Open up the hinge and attach to the frame with a single screw. Using wedges for support, prop the new door in the door frame (make sure you have the correct gap all around the door, especially the bottom). Using a pencil or chalk mark the top and the bottom of each hinge on the door.
Preparing the door for hanging
Unscrew the hinges from the door frame and place them on the edge of the door in line with the pencil marks you have just created, mark around the hinge on the edge of the door.
Take a chisel and tap around the outline of the hinges. Make a series of cuts to the wood inside the outline at 4-5 mm intervals, trying to keep the cuts about the same depth. Using your chisel remove the wood chips to reveal a recess in the door for the hinge. Once you are happy the hinges will fit flush with the door, secure the hinge to the door using one screw only, (using one screw will allow you to make adjustments to the door more easily).
Prop the door up on wedges at right angles to the frame, attach the hinges to the door frame using one screw per hinge. When you are satisfied that the door will open and close smoothly you can fix the door securely using the remaining screws.
Now all that’s left to do is shut the door on the outside world and enjoy your new room!
