Install an interior door

Interior doors are such a part of our daily lives that we hardly pay attention to them. Yet a well-chosen and properly installed interior door can enhance the decor and is likely to be noticed. Selecting the right model is therefore important.

The following project shows how to build the door frame, cut the notches for the hinges, and drill the holes for the handle and lockset. If you already have a pre-hung door, see step 2 for how to install it in the opening and step 5 for how to fit the handle.

Difficulty level: Intermediate

Duration: 3 hours

Material

8d casing nails and finishing nails Cedar shims Pre-machined door frame Door knob Interior Door Screws Moulding - Door Stop Prehung door Door jamb

Tools

Wood chisel set Hammer 4' level Nail punch Router Screwdriver Utility knife Drill 2-1/8" door hole drill bit 7/8" spade drill bit

A note about interior doors

Pre-hung interior door: door already mounted in a frame and fitted with hinges and a hole for the handle. Quick and easy to install in the opening.

Pre-machined door frame: Quick way to hang a new door. The frame is already cut and ready to be installed in the opening. The hinges and door stop moulding are usually already mounted. Offers greater flexibility when selecting a door.

Build a door jamb: While it is relatively simple to build a door jamb, and this allows you to custom-fit it to the opening, its construction does require a little more precision.

Door: Interior door slabs (the door without the frame) come in different widths between 24" and 36". Typically, 30" doors are used for every room in the house except the door leading to the basement, which should be 32" wide (or greater), space permitting.

A 30" door mean the width of the door slab itself. The frame adds an additional 2" in width and 1" height. Standard doors are 80" high. You must allow a clearance of ½" between the bottom of the door and the floor.

Hinges: Both the number of hinges used and their size depends on the type of door and how thick it is.

Hollow core interior doors: two hinges
Solid-core doors: at least three hinges

The top hinge should be placed 7" from the top of the door, while the bottom hinge should be 11" up from the bottom.

Floor allowances: Both jamb sides can be adjusted from 3/8" to 1" above the floor depending on the floor covering that will be installed.

Read our interior doors buying guide for more information.

The door jambs are assembled on a flat surface

Build the door frame

1.1 - Measure the width and height of the opening.
1.2 - Subtract 1½" from the width for the head jamb, i.e. the thickness of the two vertical jambs nailed on either side.
1.3 - Cut the door jambs according to your measurements.
1.4 - Assemble the door frame on a flat surface.
1.5 - Glue and nail the head jamb between the two side jambs.

The shims are place in each side of the doorframe one under, the other top.

Insert the frame in the opening

2.1 - Place the door frame in the opening.
2.2 - Insert cedar shims firmly between the jambs and the wall on both sides, one below the other.
2.3 - Use a level to make sure the side jambs are perfectly vertical. Adjust as needed.
2.4 - Assemble, and drill screws through the frame and shims to hold them together, but do not tighten.
2.5 - Measure the horizontal space between the jambs at the top, in the middle, and at the bottom. The measurements should be identical so that the door slab fits perfectly. If not, back out the screws and readjust the shims.
2.6 - Tighten the screws to secure the door frame to the wall studs.
2.7 - Trim off the shims with a utility knife.

Steady the door between your knees or sawhorses when cutting the hinge notches

Cut the hinge notches on the door

3.1 - Place the door on its side between two sawhorses.
3.2 - Determine the location of the hinge butts and draw the outlines on the door edge.
3.3 - Measure the distance between the two hinges.
3.4 - Transfer these marks onto the door frame. The position of the bottom hinge must take into account the gap of approximately ½" between the door and the floor.
3.5 - Score along the line with a utility knife to clearly mark the area.
3.6 - Using a router or wood chisel, hollow out the thickness of the hinge.
3.7 - Put in the hinge and check that the surface is perfectly smooth and flat. Adjust as needed. The hinge must be flush with the edge of the door.
3.8 - Drill the holes and screw the hinges to the door with the screws provided.

The door slab is attached to the jamb with screws

Cut the hinge notches on the door frame

4.1 - Place the door in the frame.
4.2 - Slide shims under the door slab to make it level.
4.3 - Check that the marks on the door frame match the position of the hinges on the door slab and adjust if necessary. Remove the door from the opening.
4.4 - Using a router or wood chisel, hollow out the hinge notches on the door frame.
4.5 - Place the door slab back into the door frame and screw in the door hinges.
4.6 - Check that the door is plumb and that it swings freely without rubbing on the door frame.

Assemble and install the handle according to the manufacturer's instructions

Assemble and install the handle

5.1 - Place and stick the handle template on the door, approximately 36"from the floor.
5.2 - Bore the hole for the handle using the drill and hole saw bit. Refer to the template for the size of bit to use. Hold the drill straight.
5.3 - Smooth the edges with sandpaper.
5.4 - Drill the latch hole in the door edge with a 7/8" spade bit.
5.5 - Drill right up to the handle hole.
5.6 - Insert the latch assembly in the hole and mark around the plate on the door edge.
5.7 - Cut the recess with a wood chisel.
5.8 - Insert the latch plate and assembly in the hole, and screw in place.
5.9 - Place one handle opposite the hole on one side of the door.
5.10 - Place the other handle and mounting plate on the other side. Insert the spindle through the central latch.
5.11 - Fasten the mounting screws.

Cut the mortise for the strike plate

6.1 - Put some chalk on the tip of the latch.
6.2 - Close the door and mark the spot where the latch touches the door frame.
6.3 - Place the strike plate on the door jamb and trace around it.
6.4 - Cut the mortise with a chisel or router.
6.5 - Replace the strike plate and check that it is perfectly flat and flush.
6.6 - Mark the hole for the latch and remove the strike plate.
6.7 - Drill the hole for the latch with the 7/8" spade bit.
6.8 - Screw in the strike plate.
6.9 - Check that the door opens and closes properly

Install the door stop moulding

7.1 - Close the door and determine where to position the door stop moulding at the top and on each side of the frame.
7.2 - Measure and cut the door stop moulding.
7.3 - Close the door and nail the door stops around the frame with finishing nails.
7.4 - Set the nails with a nail punch and fill the holes with wood filler.
7.5 - Install moulding to cover the door frame.

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Installing an interior door

Interior doors are so pervasive in our daily lives that we scarcely seem to notice them anymore. Yet a properly selected and installed interior door can enhance any décor and perhaps force us to take notice.