Would You Like a Free Expert Consultation?

Las Vegas Handyman 

Not every project goes as well as planned. We would be happy to spend a few minutes answering your questions.

Subscribe by Email

Your email:

Browse by Tag

Pro Handyman Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Replacement Interior Door Won’t Fit

  
  
  

interior doorWhen you need to replace an interior door and you buy one at a home center, many people are surprised that they don’t fit the opening. The typically need to be trimmed by approximately ¼” along the height of the door. You will also need to mortise the hinges into edge of the door.

When you trim the door, do so along the hinge side of the door and not the handle side. You don’t want to alter the setback of the latch, so that leaves the hinge side to work with. Use a table saw if you have one, or use a circular saw and clamp the door to your work surface. You can use a straightedge as a guide if you like, or you can cut it freehand after marking a cut line on the door.

I like to add a piece of painter’s tape to where the blade will be cutting to eliminate tear-out along the cut. Use a good blade in the saw (the more teeth the saw has, the smoother the cut), and cut the door in one continuous motion. If you stop the saw, you may get a burn mark and the blade may bind. It’s also a little dangerous trying to start the blade in the middle of a cut (you should start the saw and let the blade get to full speed before cutting).

With the door trimmed, you can mortise the hinges and install your door.

Tags: 

Comments

Thank you for the tip. Another helpful use of painters tape is for creating the straight edge. mark each end and pull the tape taut accross the wood along your two marks. It's most effective on smaller pieces where you can hold both ends of the tape at once though, but has been a useful "quick line" that also helps protect the surface. 
 
 
 
-Sean @ Table Saw Reviews  
 
Posted @ Friday, July 20, 2012 7:44 PM by Sean Bradford
Post Comment
Name
 *
Email
 *
Website (optional)
Comment
 *

Allowed tags: <a> link, <b> bold, <i> italics