How to Hang a New Door

Replacing a door is a straightforward process that most people can do themselves. Whether it's to get a fresh new look or the door has become faulty due to general use or the weather and has become a security risk then it's time to roll up your sleeves and get the job do

When picking out your new door there are numerous styles as well as numerous different materials. Most commonly used are solid timber but there are also glass panels, fibreglass, aluminium, steel or UPVC due to their strength and weatherproofing abilities.

Getting ready to replace your door

First thing to do is get all the material needed including:

• Your brand new door (try to keep it the same dimension as your old door for an easy fit, we don't want to have to trim it down and ruin it)

• Drill

• Hammer

• Pencil

• Tape measure

• Ear muffs

• Safer glasses

• Hinges

• Screws

• Wedges

Time to replace that door

In order to take your old door off it is best to completely close it and make sure it's latched to keep it secure once the hinges have been released. Using a screwdriver and hammer, simply hammer the screwdriver up through the bottom of the hinge releasing the pins from the top and bottom hinges. Then simply brace the door with one hand and open the door with the other then slide the door away from the hinges and put it aside.

If reusing the old hinges on the door frame then the new door will simply need to have hinges attached to it, reusing the ones from the old door if they are still in good condition will save money and will match and make the process easier since we can keep the hinges already on the frame. Or if you want to have a new look you can replace the hinges on the door and door frame completely.

Either way now is when we need to measure where the hinges need to be screwed into our new door. Measure the door to check that it is the same height and width as the old one (it should be as we bought one with the same dimensions, remember?). If we are keeping the old hinges then using our measuring tape measure from the top of the door to the top of the hinge and write that measurement down. Next do the same from the base of the door to the bottom of the bottom hinge and write that down. Now using the measuring tape and our pencil on the new door, we use our first measurement to measure from the top of the door and make a small mark at the exact number we have written down. Repeat this for the bottom measurement. Once both top and bottom measurements are marked, remeasure them to make sure the numbers are the same.

Getting those hinges on

Next we get the first hinge and screw it to the new door using our drill and screws, making sure we are lining up the top of the hinge with our mark that we made at the top of the door. Once that is secure we are doing the same with the bottom hinge but this time the bottom of the hinge is lining up with the mark we made at the bottom of the new door. Screw the hinges in lightly then remeasure each hinge and if they are spot on we can finish screwing them in tight.

Putting the new door on

Now that the hinges are on and looking straight and secure we need to simply reverse how we took the door off after we unhinged it. If it's feeling like a struggle I suggest getting a second person to help with this part as it can sometimes be tricky to line up the hinges with the weight of the door by yourself. Once the door has slotted into the hinges and is latched into place we just need to hammer the pins into the top of the hinges and make sure they are all the way down nice and secure. Be careful hammering in the pins at this point because one slip could mean your new door could be looking like an old one fast. A simple test of opening the door and closing it will provide you with a lot of satisfaction knowing you have replaced your old door yourself.

If you want to use new hinges

Given that the new door is the exact same dimensions as your old one then putting a brand new set of hinges on your new door only requires an extra few steps. You will measure the hinges on the old door the same and attach them in the same spots as your old door like we did in the previou section. With the side of the hinge that attaches to the door frame. Simply measure them out and screw them into the same spot as the old hinges. Double and triple checking your measurements at every turn.

Squarepegs Coffs Does it All

Getting in touch with Squarepegs Handyman has never been easier. The brand new Contact Us page on our website allows you to share the project you are hoping to have completed with great detail and photos!

Contact us here to learn more and to organise your free quote.

WHERE WE WORK

You’ll find Squarepegs Handyman in and around Chisholm, Maitland and NOW Coffs Harbour! Contact us to find out if we service your area. 

We cannot wait to work with you!

More from Squarepegs Handyman