How To Hinge A Door Jamb

Connect the door to the jamb.

How to hinge a door jamb.

Hinge mortises on a door are often cut by machine with a router and straight bit but you can cut mortises by hand using a hammer and chisel as well. To do a good job cutting mortises the chisel needs to be razor sharp. Hold the door in place using blocks under the bottom to support it if necessary. Door jamb frames consist of two vertical legs or side jambs and a horizontal board at the top called the head jamb.

Using both hands lift the door off the hinge knuckles. Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction. Line up the two hinge plates so that the ones on the door match the ones in the jamb. If the hinge and jamb are painted cut the paint around the leaf with a utility knife swing the leaf away from the jamb.

Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges. Test the door to make sure it works and you re finished. You ll want these in the same position so that your door will align properly. Hang the door in the jamb.

Cut the head jamb to a length equal to the door width plus the combined rabbet or dado depth plus slightly more than 1 8 inch. Attach the hinges to the jamb and the door. How to tighten stripped hinge screws. Leave the wall side knuckles attached to the door jamb.

Unless you are installing a prehung door you ll need to trace the outline of the hinges on the jamb and cut an indentation using a router or utility knife. Remove the screws that hold the loose hinge leaf to the door jamb. One of the great ways to pre hang a door and jamb that you can use on every site. Transfering door hinges to a new jamb.

Screw the door frame together with 2 1 2 inch screws. Open the door wide and insert a wedge under the bottom outside corner to level it. When the door is attached with hinges to the completed jamb frame the entire assembly is referred to as a prehung door. Using a mortising template route matching mortises for the hinges on the door and jamb.

Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb. One of the great ways to pre hang a door and jamb that you can use on every site. Begin with the mortises on the door then the mortises on the jamb. Place your old door on top of the new one.

The hinge mortise allows the hinge to be mounted flush with the jamb and door so the door will close properly. Lay your new door across two sawhorses with both ends and sides hanging off somewhat. This all in one unit is often used in new construction to avoid separate installation of the jamb and the.