BLOG/ Door Handling and Installation: What Do You Need to Know?

How you handle and install a door will depend on the type of door you are working with. However, there are several door handling and installation tips that are universal, no matter the type of door you are working with. Installing a door is a relatively straightforward process, but you need to make sure you have all of the tools necessary and take precautions to make sure the door is in good shape from the moment it is unboxed until it is hung in the jamb. 

There are a number of reasons that may lead you to replace an interior door. If the door is damaged beyond repair, or warped, it must be replaced out of necessity. Your doors may well just be outdated and you want to radically redecorate.

It is possible to replace a door on your own, but it does require that you have basic carpentry tools and experience. If you are replacing multiple doors, it may be worth hiring a professional for door handling and installation expertise! Otherwise you might end up paying more for tools you may never use again.

Here is an example of some of the tools you might need;

• 4 ft. level
• Caulk gun
• Countersink drill bit
• Drill/driver – cordless
• Hammer
• Hearing protection
• Leather gloves
• Pry bar
• Putty knife
• Reciprocating saw
• Safety glasses
• Tape measure

For complete installation instructions on specific door models, check out these blog posts:

How to Install Bifold Doors

How to Install Barn Doors

How to Replace an Interior Door

Common Sense Handling

1. Doors should be handled with clean hands or gloves to prevent dirt and oil from staining the surface. This is especially important if the door is unfinished!
2. Lift and carry the door with at least two people. Dragging doors across the floor can damage the edges of the door AND your floor!
3. Store the door in a dry, well ventilated area. It should be given time to acclimate to the baseline humidity of the space to ensure a proper fit. Do not subject the doors to extreme temperatures of humidity levels. They should be in a climate controlled space until installed. They require a minimum of 72 hours to acclimate.
4. Do not deliver or install the door until the concrete floor, foundation, and plaster/drywall are totally dry. This prevents the doors from absorbing ambient moisture from the drying process.
5. Store doors on a flat, level and well ventilated surface. Do not lean them up against a wall. If you are stacking multiple doors, use a 2×4 on either side of the door and in the center to provide adequat ventilation and support.

Common Sense Installation

1. Doors must be properly sealed (all 6 sides AND hardware cut outs) and dried before installation to protect the integrity of the door. 
2. The new door should be 2 inches less in width than the opening and 2-1/2 inches shorter in height. That additional space will allow you to install the door frame. Interior doors vary in size. Even after your careful measuring, you will want to verify that the new door will indeed fit into the old jamb. You can do this by laying the old door across a pair of sawhorses and setting the new door on top. Make sure the top ends and door knob holes are perfectly lined up.
3. If the new door is too big, trace around the old door to mark where the new door must be trimmed. Use a straight edge guide and circular saw to make any necessary cuts. If you need to remove less than 3/16 inch, you will want to use a hand plane instead of a saw. Lay the old door back on top of the new door, aligning them so that all four edges are flush.
4. Make sure the plumb and door subsill are totally level before installing your door. This is the foundation for your door looking level, so take your time! 
5. Lift the door into the opening and put some shims under the door to prevent it from resting on top of the finished floor. This will also enable you to level the door with ease.
6. Start with the bottom of the door, and push it into place, placing the bottom first with the top facing towards you. It is best to tilt the door into place, ideally with two people. 
7. It’s best to install hardware, like the handle, after the door is hung. This prevents damage to your floor while the door is waiting to be installed and it is definitely better on you back to install handles while the door is vertical. 
8. Install the top hinge first, it is easier to support the door this way. It is always a good idea to have one person hold the door while the other installs hinges.

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