How to Install Interior Doors

Installing Prehung Doors

Introduction:

The prehung door is the easiest of all doors to install. Prehung doors come already set in a frame and usually with trim molding installed. All hardware has been installed except for the lockset. Often times it's easier to upgrade and install new interior doors than it is to fix an old door that is damaged.

Installing a prehung door in a new house or an existing doorway is the same process. Installing prehung doors is relatively an easy DIY task.

New interior doors can give your home a fresh new look. There are lots of different styles to choose from. The six panel interior door with a solid core raised panels is the most popular interior door. It is relatively light weight and will not swell or warp after it is installed

Before buying a prehung door you need to know the size of the rough door opening. The rough opening is usually approximately 3 inches larger at the side jambs and 1-1/2 inches larger at the head jamb for fitting purposes.

How to install interior doors:

1. Before beginning always read and follow the specific directions that come with the door from the manufacturer.

2. To begin first remove all the packing braces and temporary nails that hold the assembly together during shipment. If the door comes with the trim installed one side of the trim is removed as a unit to facilitate installing the door. Remove the temporary nail and slide the trim unit out of the doorjamb frame.

3. Center the door in the rough opening. If the floor is uneven you may need to carefully trim the appropriate edge from the lower door jamb before you can install the door properly. The pre installed trim on one side of the door should sit flush on the wallboard.

4. Use a framing square to check that the two jambs are square. You can also check by closing the door. The gap around the door in the frame should be even all around the door. Use a level to vertically align the door on the hinged side and on top of the side that already has the trim installed.

5. Install shims to make the door plumb. The shims should go between the door jamb and rough framing. Tap them in from both directions so the door is firmly setting in the rough opening.

6. Nail through the door jamb and the shims into the rough opening wall studs. Start at the top hinge side. Use #6 finishing nails. Make sure all nails go through the shims behind the jamb. The door can be nailed in place using a finished nail gun or by hand nailing.

7. Repeat this process at all the other hinge points. Check the door's alignment, then put shims and nails around the rest of the door. When finished nailing, the space between the door and the jamb should be equal all the way around.

8. Trim any shims that protrude beyond the rough opening. Be careful that you don't cut the jamb or wall.

9. Most prehung doors come with trim installed. The trim on one side is removed before installing the door in the rough opening. If the door does not come with trim installed, cut trim by mitering all the corners. Nail the trim approximately every 16 inches using #6 finishing nails. Carefully set the nail heads without damaging the trim.

Nearly all prehung doors come with the doorknob hole already cut. Just install the door lockset including the striker plate and you are done.

How to Install an Exterior Door

How to Make Door Rough Openings

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