How to Install an Interior Door in a New Construction

Installing a door in a new building is easy with the right tools and preparation.

Hanging a brand new door can be a challenge without the right preparation. The bad news is you don't have the guidelines left by the previous door. But the good news is, you have the opportunity to start from scratch. Take the time to measure up and prepare your door before attempting installation. If the job is done incorrectly, the door may have excessive gaps around the edges, or may not even close properly.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Power Drill
• Plane Saw
• Hinges
• Screws
• Chisel
• Mallet
• Wooden Wedges

Instructions

1. Sit the door inside the frame to make sure it fits. There should be a 2mm gap all the way around the edge of the door.

2. Saw small slivers of the door where it doesn't fit into the frame completely. Sometimes this occurs if the door frame is not completely square.

3. Trace a pencil outline where the hinges will be fixed on the door frame, including the screw positions. Make sure they are positioned on the correct side of the frame, as the hinge position will effect which way the door will swing. Position the top hinge 5" from the top of the door, and the bottom hinge 10" from the bottom of the door. Position the third hinge exactly in the middle of the top and bottom hinges. The hinge pivots should hang over the edge of the door frame.

4. Chip out shallow cutouts in which the hinges will fit, using the pencil markings as a guide. The cutout should be the same depth as the hinge, allowing the hinge to sit flush with the face of the frame when installed. Use the mallet and chisel to gently score and chip away enough timber for the hinge to fit snugly.

5. Fix the hinges to the door frame using one screw only for each hinge.

6. Sit the door in the door frame. Rest the door on thin timber wedges so the door sits at the correct height.

7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to prepare cutouts for the hinges on the side face of the door.

8. Return the door to the door frame again. Fix each hinge to the door, again using only one screw for each.

9. Swing the door open and closed again, making sure it can move freely without any obstruction. Check that the door is aligned squarely and has an equal gap all the way around.

10. Fix the hinges permanently to the door and door frame using the remaining screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Hanging a door can be much easier if you have another person on hand to hold the door while you secure the door to the frame.

• Brass screws can easily bur or break. If your hinges come with brass screws, seek out some steel screws of the same size.

References

• Channel 4: How to Hang a Door