How To Hang a Door

Hold the door up in the doorframe to make sure the size is right. If there are any tight spots, use a circular saw to cut them down, then sand and varnish the sawed area. Go easy — you can’t add back if you take too much off.

Measure the height and width of the notches for the hinges. Also measure how far the hinge will hang over the edge of the doorframe, because the other side of the hinge will have to hang the same distance over the door.

Using your ruler and a pencil, outline where each hinge will be attached. Don’t forget to account for the length that will hang over the edge.

Trace the outlines with a utility knife. Once a decent groove has been created, use your hammer and chisel to cut away a layer of the door inside your pencil marks. This should create a notch for the hinge that’s equal in size to those notches in your doorway.

Place a hinge in one of the three notches you’ve made. Mark with a pencil where the screws need to go. Repeat for each notch in the door, then drill holes for the screws. This will make it easier to attach the door later.

Sand the notches until they’re smooth before attaching the hinges. Use a manual screwdriver to put on the hinges; this way, you won’t damage the screws or strip the holes.

Use shims to hold the door in place. Once it is evenly set in the doorframe, attach the door by inserting the door pins provided by the manufacturer and manually screwing in the hinges.

Following your manufacturer’s instructions, install your doorknob and lock set. You’re done! Now don’t let the door hit you on the way out.