There are some household jobs that anyone can do without calling in the handyman, such as fitting a new door. Here are a few tips to help you along. The first thing you need to do is decide what type of door you need to fit - internal or external is the most obvious decision. Then you can decide between flush, smooth wood or a paneled door, as well as if a lightweight one will do the job or if a sturdier door is what you're after.
Once you've decided what type of door you need, then buy one as close to the size you need as you can. Retailers sell the most common door sizes so you may be good to go with an off-the-shelf model, but often a bit of measuring and trimming is required. Measure the frame length and width, then mark these on your new door. Allow for 5mm clearance at the bottom and 3mm on the other sides. Then, remove the existing door from the frame ready for the new one.
When cutting the door down to size, it's important you don't cut off more than 15mm from any edge of it will weaken the joints. If you need to cut off more, investigate getting a smaller door size instead. If you have to cut off less than 5mm, use an electric or hand planer to ensure accuracy. For more than 5mm, use a circular saw. Make sure to trim the top and bottom or sides equally so the door stays even.
Next, you need to double check that you've trimmed off the right amount and that the door fits into the frame. Slot it into the space and wedge it at the bottom so you get a good idea of the fit. If you're changing your hinges, then you should do this once you've checked the fit of the door. Make sure the hinges fit into the recesses in the door frame then wedge the door back into place.
The final task is to check your hinge positions and fix the door into place. Pencil the hinge positions onto the door edge, then chisel out the waste wood to make sure your door shuts smoothly when you fit it back into the frame. This will also make sure the hinges are flush with the door edge, keeping the draught out. Use a 3mm wood bit to make hinge holes in the door then screw in a hinge to check the door opens and closes properly. If it does, screw in the remaining hinges.
Once you've decided what type of door you need, then buy one as close to the size you need as you can. Retailers sell the most common door sizes so you may be good to go with an off-the-shelf model, but often a bit of measuring and trimming is required. Measure the frame length and width, then mark these on your new door. Allow for 5mm clearance at the bottom and 3mm on the other sides. Then, remove the existing door from the frame ready for the new one.
When cutting the door down to size, it's important you don't cut off more than 15mm from any edge of it will weaken the joints. If you need to cut off more, investigate getting a smaller door size instead. If you have to cut off less than 5mm, use an electric or hand planer to ensure accuracy. For more than 5mm, use a circular saw. Make sure to trim the top and bottom or sides equally so the door stays even.
Next, you need to double check that you've trimmed off the right amount and that the door fits into the frame. Slot it into the space and wedge it at the bottom so you get a good idea of the fit. If you're changing your hinges, then you should do this once you've checked the fit of the door. Make sure the hinges fit into the recesses in the door frame then wedge the door back into place.
The final task is to check your hinge positions and fix the door into place. Pencil the hinge positions onto the door edge, then chisel out the waste wood to make sure your door shuts smoothly when you fit it back into the frame. This will also make sure the hinges are flush with the door edge, keeping the draught out. Use a 3mm wood bit to make hinge holes in the door then screw in a hinge to check the door opens and closes properly. If it does, screw in the remaining hinges.
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