Hang a new door

With two grown-up teenagers I know how easy it can be to damage a door, especially if you have boisterous boys in the house. Patching up the door isn't a good idea and it is fairly easy to replace.

 

Most internal doors tend to be hollow-core and 35mm thick, with a standard size of 2040 x 820mm. The thickness of the door determines the size of the rebate, which is usually 3mm wider than the door. Make sure that you measure the old door to work out the necessary height, width and thickness of the new one before buying.

HERE'S HOW:

1. Attach hinges to the door

Transfer hinge positions from the old door to the new one. Make fluted cuts across the grain for a recess the thickness of the hinge leaf, securing with the supplied screws. TIP: If using bigger new hinges, adjust the recess on the jamb with a chisel.

2.Attach the door

Position the door in the jamb then lift and wedge it to clear the floor by 5mm. Check the new hinges align with the old recesses, securing to the jambs with the screws supplied. TIP The door should have a clearance of about 3mm all round.

3.Drill the handle hole

Close the door to transfer the centre-line of the existing striker plate on the door, marking the latch back-set distance, usually 60-70mm, on both faces and drilling a hole using a hole saw. Tork Craft offer a range of hole saws for all materials and in different sizes. Available at your local hardware store. Use a carbon steel hole saw (TC911).

4.Drill the latch hole

Use a spade bit to drill an appropriate-size hole, usually 24mm, through the centre-line on the edge of the door, into the handle hole. Press the tip of the spade bit into the wood and apply firm pressure to start off the hole. Keep the drill straight and level when drilling the hole and keep the speed constant.

5.Attach the latch

Insert the latch into the latch hole to draw around the plate, then use a hammer and wood chisel to make a recess so the plate sits flush with the edge of the door, securing with the supplied screws.

6. Secure the door handle

Slide the spindle of the handle through the latch, with an even overhang either side, mark the position of the screws to drill holes with a 2mm twist bit, securing handles with the supplied screws.

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