How to Replace a Door
Buy a new door., Remove the hinge pins., Remove the door., Set up the doors., Mark the cut points., Trim the rest of the door., Cut the mortise., Mark and drill pilot holes., Cut the lock set holes., Sand and paint the door., Attach the hinges and...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy a new door.
Measure your current door for width and buy a door of this size.
You should also look for a door as close as possible to the height you need, but some trimming may be necessary.
Double check the door measurements against each other before installing the door. -
Step 2: Remove the hinge pins.
Using a hammer and nail set, remove the hinge pin that connects the two sides of the hinges.
Be careful, as this will release the door. , Set the old door aside and remove the hinges and hardware. , Set the new and old doors on a set of saw horses, with the old door on top.
Align their hinge side and top and then clamp them together. , You'll need to cut a mortise (indent) for the hinge, as well as the hole for the door handle.
Trace the door handle hole or holes from the old door onto the new one.
Then, measure and mark or trace the hinge shape on the new door, using the new hinge or the old one (if the hinges are the same size) as a guide. , Measure, mark, and then trim the rest of the new door with a circular saw, so that it is the correct height and width. , Using a hammer and chisel, cut the mortise for the hinges. , Using the new hinge a a guide, mark the location of the (usually) three screw points and drill pilot holes. , Using a kit will be easier than measuring and cutting for yourself and they are cheap and readily available.
Just place the jig at the hole you marked from the original door. , Now is a good time to sand and paint the door, if you want to. , Install the hinges and lock set.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install your particular lock set correctly. , Remove the old hinges and then replace with the other half of the new hinge.
Use a chisel to deepen the mortise if the hinge is not flush with the edge of the casing.
You can also replace the strike plate if a new one was needed or included with your door handle. , Set the door on some shims and slide it into place.
Set the pins and test the door.
If it works, you're done! -
Step 3: Remove the door.
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Step 4: Set up the doors.
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Step 5: Mark the cut points.
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Step 6: Trim the rest of the door.
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Step 7: Cut the mortise.
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Step 8: Mark and drill pilot holes.
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Step 9: Cut the lock set holes.
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Step 10: Sand and paint the door.
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Step 11: Attach the hinges and lock set.
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Step 12: Remove and replace the old jam hinges.
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Step 13: Set the door.
Detailed Guide
Measure your current door for width and buy a door of this size.
You should also look for a door as close as possible to the height you need, but some trimming may be necessary.
Double check the door measurements against each other before installing the door.
Using a hammer and nail set, remove the hinge pin that connects the two sides of the hinges.
Be careful, as this will release the door. , Set the old door aside and remove the hinges and hardware. , Set the new and old doors on a set of saw horses, with the old door on top.
Align their hinge side and top and then clamp them together. , You'll need to cut a mortise (indent) for the hinge, as well as the hole for the door handle.
Trace the door handle hole or holes from the old door onto the new one.
Then, measure and mark or trace the hinge shape on the new door, using the new hinge or the old one (if the hinges are the same size) as a guide. , Measure, mark, and then trim the rest of the new door with a circular saw, so that it is the correct height and width. , Using a hammer and chisel, cut the mortise for the hinges. , Using the new hinge a a guide, mark the location of the (usually) three screw points and drill pilot holes. , Using a kit will be easier than measuring and cutting for yourself and they are cheap and readily available.
Just place the jig at the hole you marked from the original door. , Now is a good time to sand and paint the door, if you want to. , Install the hinges and lock set.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install your particular lock set correctly. , Remove the old hinges and then replace with the other half of the new hinge.
Use a chisel to deepen the mortise if the hinge is not flush with the edge of the casing.
You can also replace the strike plate if a new one was needed or included with your door handle. , Set the door on some shims and slide it into place.
Set the pins and test the door.
If it works, you're done!
About the Author
Ann White
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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