How to hang a door

Contents:

• Tools & materials needed
• Planning & preperation
• Step by step guide
• How to hang different doors
• Tips for fitting an internal door
• Final touches & maintenence
• Safety considerations
• FAQ's

Hanging doors yourself may sound a little difficult at first. But discovering a few tips and following some simple steps can make the whole process much easier. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need about how to hang a door successfully on your own. 

This comprehensive guide will help you plan and prepare your door hanging, plus give you expert advice on how to fit an internal door correctly and add the perfect finishing touches.

Whatever your project, whether it’s restyling one door or replacing them all, discover a complete range of doors & door fittings to help you confidently complete the job.

Before you start to hang your door, it’s helpful to gather all the essential tools and materials you need for the job together. Have them at hand so you can complete each stage without stopping to find equipment. 

Here’s a list of the tools and materials you need to hang a door:

• Screws. These will secure the door in place. 

• Hinges. If you’re replacing an internal door, try and use the same size hinges for ease. 

• Screwdrivers. You may need different sized screwdriver heads for different parts of the job. 

• Hammers. A hammer will help you drive door nails into the frame. 

• Measuring tape. Measuring the door and any hinge space will help you fit the door accurately. 

• Chisel. A sharp chisel will make small cuts into the door wood, rather than larger ones. 

• Drill for driving screws.

• Door handle

• Planer. A planer or power planer will trim doors into shape. 

• Safety glasses. These will protect your eyes from any dust or debris. 

You might want to look at some tool guides or explore types of hammers and their uses before you start work.

You may be fitting different types of doors into your home. For example, if you want to fit sliding doors, you’ll need to measure the width and height of the door opening so that the sliding doors can open fully. Then the bottom and top tracks for the doors need to be installed by measuring the area, drilling screw holes and attaching each track to the screws. You can then insert the door rollers into the tracks before you lift in and attach the door panels. 

If you want to fit internal bifold doors, measure the space in the same way as you measure a standard door frame. The top track needs to be fitted 19mm back from the front edge of the door frame. At the bottom, you will fit a pivot bracket on the frame, also setting it 19mm back. Once these are in place, position the door and screw it into its hinges. 

Fitting french doors will mean measuring both sides for the two doors just like fitting an internal door. You then need to make sure the mortise (hinge openings) on each side align with a spirit level. Take your frame measurements and mark these on the two doors. Then follow the hinge fitting and door hanging instructions for a standard door, but fit each door one at a time.

Being confident with how to fit an internal door just takes a bit of practice. If your new internal door is a little too large for the frame, have the exact measurements you need marked in pencil on the door. Use a power planer to trim the amount required. Once complete, sand down and test to see if the door fits more comfortably. 

Smaller rooms can be a challenge if you want the door to swing open and shut with ease. Check and adjust hinges to make sure they align and are tight. You can bend the hinge pins slightly to gain some traction. 

For optimum comfort and functionality, you’ll want to ensure proper door handle placement. A typical door handle is usually 100cm from the floor, so use this as a marker for your handle, unless you want to match other door handles in the space. 

Many door handles come with a template which helps you position the handle accurately. Mark the exact drill holes and fix into place. Use a spirit level to make sure the handle is in the correct position. Before you start, it may be useful to research door handling fitting with this how to fit a door handle guide.

Once your door is in place, you can make the final touches to get it looking perfect. A key aspect of how to fit a door is to make sure it operates smoothly which can take some maintenance from time to time. 

A bit of aftercare can make all the difference to the upkeep of your internal door, such as:

• Sanding down rough edges when needed using your chosen sanders. 

• Applying paint or varnish to the door when it’s installed. If the door is damaged at any point, simply sand down that part of the door and apply a new coat of paint or varnish. 

• Lubricating hinges to ensure smooth operation. This can be done quite simply with a standard oil or lubricant. 

• Checking the door alignment periodically. Use a spirit level to make sure the door is still hanging correctly and tighten the hinges slightly if they become loose.

There are some important personal safety aspects to think about when you’re learning how to fit a door. Hanging a door involves heavy lifting, the use of power tools, and potential contact with sharp objects. 

Here are a few safety tips to help protect anyone involved in hanging a door:

• Wear eye protection, such as safety goggles, and a pair of work gloves when using power tools. This should keep any dust, dirt or debris out of your eyes and help to protect your hands if you handle sharp objects. 

• Ensure the work area is clear of obstructions. Keeping organised and removing anything you don’t need out of the area will reduce the chance of an accident. 

• Use a stable ladder or step stool if you’re working at a height from the floor so that you’re not stretching out of reach. 

• Work with a partner if the door is large or heavy. This will help you hang the door more quickly and accurately.

If you feel that learning how to hang a door is too complicated or requires more people or tools than you have available, you may want to seek professional help. It can be a relief to gain some expert advice and have an experienced specialist take over the complexities of the project for you. 

Hanging a door may sound easy at first, but the weight of doors and the fiddly nature of door hinge installation can make the job more difficult. That’s why asking for professional support can make things run more smoothly.

So what are the key takeaways for how to hang a door? Firstly, make sure you have all of the correct tools, materials and equipment ready before you start the job. It’s a good idea to take your time and follow each step carefully for a successful door hanging project. Measure your door frame precisely at the top, middle and bottom and then both vertical sides. 

Select a door that’s slightly larger than these measurements so you can fit it to size. Always wear eye protection and work gloves while working to protect yourself. Prepare and clean the door frame and remove the old door carefully. Make sure you measure the hinge space on the frame and mark this carefully on the new internal door. 

Fit the hinges to the frame and then the door, tightening the screws carefully to fit the door in place. Test your door to make sure it opens and closes smoothly. 

Complete the project with some final additions, most importantly a door handle,  a door stop or a clean coat of paint to keep the door well maintained. There are lots of great internal doors available, so it’s a good idea to browse doors that suit your home.