How to Install Internal Doors

The reasons are numerous for installing new interior doors. For starters, hanging new interior doors is a great way to change the look of a home and make a home more modern. In addition, interior doors sustain a lot of damage over the course of time. You can repair and paint, but pre-hung interior doors are extremely inexpensive and easy to install. It is almost just as easy to purchase a new door. In some cases, replacing a damaged door is easier and more cost effective than repairing the old door. And the installation of new interior doors makes the entire home feel newly remodeled.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-hung door
• Spacers
• Level
• Nail gun
• Finishing nails
• Saw
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Tape measure
• Pry bar
• Eye protection

Instructions

1. Remove the existing door, and check the door framing for damage. If the framing is intact, you can simply attach a new door to the frame. If the frame needs to be replaced, remove the frame using a pry bar.

2. Measure the door opening vertically and horizontally. Measure the thickness of the wall as well. You will need to purchase a door with a frame that will match the thickness of the wall. The perimeter of the door that you purchase should be slightly smaller than the opening for the frame while.

3. Situate the pre-hung door into the opening, making sure that the door is going to open in the desired direction. Push the frame into place until it is flush with the surrounding walls. Remove the door from the framing.

4. Level the door framing using a level. Place spacers or shims strategically between the wall and door frame to keep the door in the newly leveled position. You may need to gently tap the spacers into place with a hammer.

5. Saw off any spacers that protrude out beyond the wall line. Check the perimeter of the door frame for evenness. If adjustments need to be made, place a piece of wood against the door frame and hammer the wood until the door moves into the proper position.

6. Nail the frame into place using finishing nails. The nails should be 16 inches apart.

7. Hang the door on the door frame, and check to see if the door opens properly. Attach door hardware.

8. Install trim around the door to hide the spaces between the door frame and the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are hanging a door in an area where new flooring will be installed, be sure to allow for the height of the flooring when installing the door.

References

• Don Vandervort's Home Tips; How to Install a door
• Lowe's; Installng Interior Doors