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Whether you are renovating a newly purchased property or simply giving your existing home a refresh, installing new internal doors is something many of us will have to do at some point in our lives.
Before you call in a professional, hanging a new internal door can actually be done yourself. All it takes is some careful planning and preparation. Check out this guide with some handy tips for hanging a new internal door.
Measure the Door Frame
The first and most important thing you need to do before hanging a new internal door is to measure the door frame. This step is crucial. The last thing you want is to bring home your beautiful new door only to discover that it is too large or too small for the frame.
You’ll need to measure the height, width, and depth of the door. Repeat the process a few times to ensure you have got the correct measurements, and note them down in case you forget.
Buy the Right Door
Once you have your measurements, it’s time to choose your new internal door. Whether you’re buying solid wood doors or glazed doors, it’s essential that you choose one that will both fit in your door frame and match the style of your home.
When browsing for a new door, reference your measurements regularly to prevent buying the wrong size. The ideal door should leave a gap of around half an inch at the bottom and an eighth of an inch on the knob side and at the top.
However, if you find that all the doors available are too tall, don’t panic. The bottom of the door can be trimmed later on.
Trimming the Door to Fit
If you have chosen a door that is too tall for the frame, you’re going to need to trim it down to size. Use a pencil to mark the areas that need trimming, and then use a saw, belt sander, or a plane to remove the excess wood. Proceed with caution, it’s better to trim too little rather than too much, as you can always repeat the process and trim off extra if need be.
Attach the Hinges
Once the door has been trimmed to size, it’s time to attach the hinges. First, use a pencil to mark where the hinges are going to go. Think carefully about what direction you want the door to open, as this will determine what side the hinges are placed on.
Next, cut out holes for the hinges on the door, and use a drill bit to create holes for the screws. Repeat this process on the door frame, and then secure the hinges onto the frame.
Hang the Door
The final step is to hang the door. Hold it in place in the frame, double-checking that its size is correct. Attach the door to the top hinge first and then repeat the process for the bottom hinge.
Once the door is installed in the frame, test how it opens and closes and check the sizing. If all looks well, you can attach your door knob and enjoy your new internal door.