How to Properly Hang a Door
Mistakes in hanging a door can be expensive despite how simple the task may appear, as the door can end up with uneven gaps around it and not latch correctly. A floor that isn’t level under a doorway creates the most door-installation problems. The latch won’t line up properly if there is a slight slope in the floor and if you do not trim the jamb to compensate for the difference.
Make sure to always check the width of the opening before you order your door. Make sure the width of the opening is always 2 to 2-1/2 inches wider than the door. This extra space will be used up by the jambs and the shims and is needed in order to hang the door properly. You will need a 30-inch pre-hung door if your rough opening measures 32 inches.
The next step is to check the length of the pre-hung door-jambs. They may be too long, which means you may have to trim both sides in order to minimize the space under the door. In most cases, the door should clear the floor by one-half inch.
The vertical sides of the opening should be plumb, which means that the edges will stand either exactly vertical or perpendicular next to a level horizontal line. Although some variations from plumb are acceptable, if the openings have a trimmer stud more than 3/8 inch out of plumb from top to bottom you will not be able to install the door properly.
The door must be measured and trimmed carefully and precisely before installation. The necessary techniques can be easily mastered with just a few home improvement skills and some basic carpentry tools. It will take about an hour and a half to install your first door but once you know what you are doing, the second one will go in twice as fast.
If a door closes tightly and quietly and doesn’t swing open you know that it has been properly installed. A well-installed door has been trimmed in such a way that there is a very small aperture of just under one-half inch next to the jamb. Where the hinges sit or the lockset slides great care must be taken when cutting the different holes or slots in the wood. The door won’t close properly and might spring open if the cut is too deep and it will creak and scrape. To create the perfect mortise, a sharp chisel and a steady but light hand is required.
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Author: Adam Ciboch
This author has published 61 articles so far. More info about the author is coming soon.