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How to hang a door

How to hang a door

From Australian Handyman Magazine

Revamp the entrance with a new installation.

Download How to Hang a Door Project PDF.

When buying a new front door fi nd one that fi ts into the existing jamb opening. A standard solid-core construction door is 2040mm high, 820mm wide and 40mm thick, although you can order an oversized one through a door manufacturer. It should be fi tted with a 10mm gap from the fl oor, and a gap from the jamb of 3mm on the sides and top to allow for expansion and contraction with weather changes. TIP If the new door is a tight fi t, trim it using a circular saw or planer.

Federations Doors
Homes built at the beginning of the 20th century, mainly between 1900 and 1914, were often a sign of prosperity, an Aussie version of the English Edwardian house but with native motifs of flora and fauna in leadlight doors and windows. Front doors were similar in style to Victorian, with single convex-curve moulding with a fl at edge and long panels, showcasing shiny brass doorhandles and knocker.

Fanlight features
A fanlight is a semi-circular or square window over a doorway featuring in many Federation houses, with leadlighting to match the glass door panels. Interior fanlights can be opened slightly to allow for ventilation. Front door fanlights were often fi xed for security.

STEP 1

Check the jamb is square
Use a builder’s square to check the corners of the jamb are square. To make adjustments wedge the door at the top hinge side of the jamb to scribe lines down the hinge side of the door and at the top and base.

STEP 2

Trim the door to fit
Position the door on sawhorses to trim the top and base using an electric or hand plane to the marked line, planing from the ends to the centre. To trim the side, stand the door vertically in a door block.

STEP 3

Mark the hinges
Position a hinge leaf on the edge of the door 100mm from the top, 150mm from the base and in the centre, marking around it. On the back of the door, use a marking gauge at each hinge position to scribe a line matching the thickness of the hinge.

STEP 4

Make the hinge housings
Use a 25mm chisel to cut lines 1mm inside the hinge marks to prevent the timber from splitting. Turn the chisel bevel face-down to make close fl uted cuts, then pare the waste to the setout lines. Test then secure hinges with 40 x 8g screws.

STEP 5

Prepare the jamb housings
Wedge the door in the jamb with even gaps to mark hinges on the jamb. Chisel out housings and check the fi t.
TIP: Drill 2mm pilot holes for screws towards the back of the hinge holes so the screws pull tight into the housing.

STEP 6

Hang the door
Position the door at 90º to the jamb, wedging it so the hinges fit in the housings on the jamb. Drill the pilot holes and secure the top and base hinges only with two screws, test the opening and closing before securing all hinges.