How to Install a Pre-Hung Interior Door
Replacing interior doors with a pre-hung interior door is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to give your interior a face-lift. If you’re on a budget, consider visiting a local shop that sells surplus building materials before making a trip to your big-box home improvement store. They will have better prices, leaving you more money to spend on other projects, and more knowledgable employees. The good news is that installing a door is easy and fast with the right tools and information. In this post, we’ll look at exactly how you can install an interior door on your own.
Step 1: Purchase a Door
This first step includes buying a door that fits the opening in your wall. Standard interior doors are 1 ⅜ in thick and 6 ft 8 in tall. Depending on the width of your door, you may need anything from 24 to 36 inches. Measure your current door to determine which size is right for you.
If the trim around your door is damaged (or you just want to replace it) you may want to consider purchasing a pre-hung door. If you just want to replace the door itself, a slab (also known as blank) door is a better option. Pre-hung doors are the more common choice because most of the hard work is already done for you. In this article, we will go through the steps to install a pre-hung door.
Note: Before hanging the door, paint/stain if necessary.
Step 2: Remove Current Door
Loosen the trim from the wall with a rigid putty knife. Then, use a pry bar and a block of wood to remove it the rest of the way, taking your time to minimize damage to the wall.
Step 3: Add Shims
Place the door in the opening and double check to make sure it’s right where you want it. Shim the jamb plumb to make it level and straight. Add shims between the side jams and studs to fill the spaces.
Step 4: Nail Door Frame
Use #8 finishing nails to drive through the frame, shims, and studs, two at a time. Continue this process for each shim, an inch from the edge of the door jamb.
Step 5: Nail Trim
Use #6 finishing nails to attach the trim to the studs behind the wall. Be sure to pace the nails about 16 inches apart. Repeat on the other side of the door.
Step 6: Add Hardware
Screw the hinges to the hinge leafs to the door’s edge and the remainder of the hinges to the door jamb. Attach the doorknobs and plates.Now, stand back and check out your handiwork.
McCarren Supply has the surplus building materials you need for your next home improvement project. Browse our inventory here and come visit our store in Carlisle today to see what you’ve been missing.