Installing interior doors may appear simple to avid DIY enthusiasts, but ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process requires careful attention. When you invest in new doors, you’re enhancing your home’s aesthetics, so it’s crucial to get it right. To avoid the hassle of dealing with doors that rattle or swing open unexpectedly, consistently refer to the installation instructions provided with your doors. In this article, we provide indispensable tips for installing interior doors, whether you’re replacing an existing door or setting up a new one. If you encounter difficulties, seeking professional assistance is advisable.
Accurate Door Measurements
Before installing a new interior door, accurate measurements of your current door are essential. Our comprehensive guide to measuring doors provides you with essential tips and know-how to ensure you cover all the necessary steps. This prevents issues like receiving a door that is either too large or significantly undersized. Make sure you have your tape measure ready and be well-prepared.
Different doors allow for varying levels of trimming. Refer to the ‘Tech Specs’ on the online product page or seek advice from our door experts. If the precise door size you require is unavailable, check the trimming allowance to ensure a proper fit. Consult our measuring guide for detailed information.
Precise Trimming
Trimming a door to fit the required size is a simpler process than you might think. If you’re prepared to handle the trimming process yourself, you’ll need a few tools such as a pencil, tape measure, a wood plane, hand saw, and small wooden wedges. The hand plane is instrumental in this process, primarily working to shave off equal portions from each side, provided you’ve accurately marked the door.
For a well-fitted door, it should ideally have a 2mm gap on either side and at the top. The gap at the bottom depends on your flooring’s thickness.
Utilize a wood plane for an even finish. Sand down the door for a smooth final touch.
Choosing the Right Door Finish
There are various finishes and treatments available for doors. While everyone has distinct preferences, here are a few recommended tips for door finishes. Ensure the door is completely dry before applying any coatings. When working with existing doors, it’s advisable to sand away any residual filler or paint.
Several options are available for door finishes:
- Natural
- Waxed
- Oil
- Varnish / Lacquer
- Stain
- Paint
For doors that require protective oils, we recommend using Treatex and Osmo hardwax oils for internal doors, and Impranol and Osmo oils for external doors.
Installing Hinges on the Frame
Before installing hinges on the frame, ensure the new hinges fit the old ones. If not, mark the new positions carefully and then remove the excess wood by chiseling.
Once the hinge positions are marked, screw in each hinge with a centre screw. Real wood veneer, molded, or MDF doors require 2 hinges, whereas primed doors need 3 hinges. We recommend 3 hinges per door for all doors, and FD30 doors require 4″ hinges.
Installing Hinges on the Door
Once the hinge measurements for the frame are in place, proceed to install the hinges on the door.
Most doors use standard butt hinges, and while there’s no fixed position, installing them at the top, bottom, and middle is recommended for stability. Mark the hinge position by opening the door at right angles and placing it on the side of the door. Use a chisel to cut where you’ve marked, avoiding attempting to chisel the hinge recess in a single attempt. Cut inside the marked lines for precision.
Various types of doors, such as bi-fold, glazed, or French doors, present distinct installation processes. Nevertheless, the tips outlined in this article apply to most, if not all, and can aid in your installation. For further information or to explore a diverse range of interior doors that match your preferences, feel free to browse our extensive selection today.
The information provided is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change.