How to hang a door

What you'll need:

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Hand plane
• Sandpaper
• Hammer
• Set square
• Sharp Stanley knife
• Wood chisel
• Drill
• Wood and screw bits
• Saw
• Masking tape
• A couple of coins
• Wood wedges
• Vice (or something to hold the door steady whilst you work)

For a basic internal door you'll also need:

• 2 x 100 millimetre hinges and screws (for heavier or external doors get three)

Step 1: Measure up

Measure the length and width of the frame opening before buying your new door to make sure you get the right size. Allow for a two millimetre gap at either side of the door and at the top, and six millimetre clearance at the bottom (or a little more of you've got a really deep carpet).

It's unlikely you'll be able to find one that's exactly the right size, so if necessary go for one a little bigger.

Step 2: Trim the door

1. Steady the door in your vice, with the opening side at the top.
2. Measure and mark the cut lines, then measure again to make sure it's correct.
3. The professionals' mantra is “Measure twice, cut once”, and it's a heck of a lot easier than the other way round!
4. When you are certain that the marked measurements are accurate, plane down to the cut line. Use a saw if there is more than six millimetres to take off.

Always plane from the edges in broad, sweeping movements. This will give you an even surface and stops the corners from splitting. You should also give the new edge a quick sanding for a smooth finish.

Step 3: Position the hinges

1. Turn the door over so that the hinge side is uppermost.
2. Measure 15 centimetres (six inches) down from the top and mark, and 23 centimetres (nine inches) up from the bottom – these are the outer marks for your hinges.
3. If you have a panelled door like the one in this video then the top is the end with the shorter panels. Use a set square to draw a firm, horizontal line at each of your marks.
4. Open the hinge and hold it in place with the spindle section butting against the edge.
5. Score around the edge of the hinge with your Stanley knife, always cutting away from your supporting hand to avoid any bloody accidents.
6. Draw over the line with your pencil to make it easier to see for the next step.
7. Do exactly the same for the second hinge.

Step 4: Cut the recesses

1. Using a sharp chisel with the bevelled edge facing in, make a series of cuts along the pencil line.
2. Chisel into the recess, furling up the wood as you go.
3. Hold the chisel at the top of the recess, again with your hands well out of the way, and in one swift movement shear off the wood.
4. Use a twisting action to deepen the recess.
5. Regularly try the hinge to check if it fits. When it sits flush to the door you are ready to create the recess for the second hinge.

Step 5: Attach the hinges

1. Position each hinge flap in its recess on the door and with your pencil mark the position of the middle screw. Put the hinge to one side.
2. Use a drill bit slightly narrower than your screws to make a pilot hole. Take care to keep the bit square to the door edge. To avoid slips or misplacement start the drill slowly, then accelerate once you've established the initial placement.
3. Put the hinge back in place and put the middle screw in; it should go in easily thanks to your pilot holes.
4. Once the hinge is secured, make the two other pilot holes and screw it into place.
5. Repeat the whole process to attach the second hinge.

Step 6: Fit to the frame

To help hold the door in position in the frame, it's worth fixing up a temporary door jamb:

1. Measure a door's width in from the edge of the door frame.
2. Use your set square to draw a line perfectly parallel to the edge.
3. Nail a strip of wood to this guide line, then do the same on the other side. This will be used as a support to get the door in position – when the job is done they can be easily removed.
4. For quick and easy way to make sure the door is the right distance from the top of the frame, have a rummage for change. Tape a coin (of the same value) at either end of the top of the door. When you jack the door into position you can guarantee an evenly spaced gap.
5. Hold the door in place and use your trusty Stanley knife to make a small nick on the frame at the position of each hinge.

Step 7: Prepare the frame

1. Put the door to one side and remove just one of the hinges to use as a template.
2. Place it open on the door frame, at the marked point, with the barrel butting against the edge.
3. Score around the hinge with the Stanley knife. Remember that the blade should be very sharp so you don't need to press too hard. Keep those fingers out of the way!
4. Repeat for the bottom hinge.
5. Chisel out the recess for the hinges just as you did on the door; first cutting around the line, then making a series of cuts into the wood, removing the furls in one swift movement, and finally working into the recess until the hinge sits flush.
6. Mark the position of the middle screw and drill the pilot hole on both the top and bottom hinge.

Step 8: Hang the door

1. Fix the hinge back onto the door.
2. Hold the door in an open position, either by getting someone to help you or by using wooden blocks to prop it in place.
3. Fix just one screw per hinge to the frame.
4. Carefully close the door to check the fit. If you need to trim any of the edges mark how much needs to be taken off, remove the door and get planing.
5. Try the fit again. The hinges might also need to be adjusted slightly; watch them as you open and close the door.
6. If the door action is smooth and it sits correctly in the frame, put in the last of the screws.
7. Treat yourself to a nice cuppa and admire your handiwork!