Install or Replace Door Hinges

Door hinges play an important role in our everyday lives; they support your exterior doors, providing the first line of safety for the family inside, and offer protection from the elements. Inside the home, they offer privacy to family members. Installing door hinges, whether new or replacement ones, is an easy skill to master and can be invaluable for many homeowners, especially ones who enjoy D.I.Y. projects.

Steps

Installing Door Hinges

  1. Place your hinges in the correct location. Assuming you’re installing a new door, you’ll need to find the precise location on the wall for your hinges. Most doors require a minimum of two hinges: one hinge is located 7-inches from the top of the door frame, and the other hinge is located 11-inches from the bottom of the door frame. Measure this distance and mark the location on the frame, and then do the same on the door that you’re hanging.
    • If you have a third hinge (typically used for heavy doors), it will be placed directly in the middle of the other two hinges (this will put it slightly off-center).
  2. Trace around the hinge. Put your hinge in place on the door and the jamb, and use a carpenters pencil to carefully trace around the hinge. Additionally, make note of the depth of the hinge on the jamb. Double check to make sure that your outlines match the same location on the door and jamb, before moving to the next step. Then, use a box-cutter to score the outline; this will make it easier to cut the mortise.
  3. Cut the mortise. The term ‘cut the mortise’ is the professional term for cutting out the wood in the jamb in the shape of the hinge, so that the hinge will be inset in the jamb and provide more strength and aesthetic appeal. To cut the mortise, you’ll need a very sharp chisel and a hammer. Carefully tap the chisel into the jamb from the side, to remove thin strips of wood. Make sure not to cut the mortise too deep, as this will cause the hinge to become loose over time. Cut out only the outlined area and the marked depth.[1]
    • Using a dull chisel will make it more difficult to cut the mortise, and cause you to use more pressure with the hammer (which could cause a slip).
    • If you cut the mortise too deep, you can place a small slip of cardboard in it before installing the hinge.
  4. Mark the location of the screws. Replace the hinge back in the jamb where you cut the mortise. Use your pencil to mark the location of the screws in the jamb. Do the same with the location of the hinge on the door. Remove the hinges when you’re done marking.
  5. Drill the pilot holes. Use your screwdriver to drill the pilot holes in the location of the screws you marked on the jamb. Tap them lightly in first, to make sure the screws don’t accidentally move out of place.
  6. Install the individual hinges. Put the hinges back in their places, and use a screwdriver to secure them individually into the jamb and the door.
  7. Connect the door to the jamb. Hold the door in place, using shims under the bottom to support it if necessary. Line up the two hinge plates so that the ones on the door match the ones in the jamb. Slide the hinge pins into place, and remove the shims from the door. Test the door to make sure it works, and you’re finished![2]

Replacing Door Hinges

  1. Use shims to steady the door. Move the door so that the entire hinge is exposed, and place shims under the door to steady it. When replacing a door hinge, you won’t remove the door. Placing shims underneath will help support the door and prevent it from falling over.
  2. Check your measurements. Make sure that your new hinges are the right size, and match the measurements of the old hinges. Additionally, use a measuring tape to verify that the current hinges are in the right locations. The hinges should be placed so that one is 7-inches from the top of the door frame, and the other is located 11-inches from the bottom of the door-frame. If these are incorrect, you’ll need to go about the aforementioned steps on cutting the mortise and preparing the door jamb for the new hinge.
  3. Remove one of the old hinges. Start at the top hinge, and remove the screws holding the hinge leafs in place. Carefully pull them away from the door and the jamb, and check to make sure the wood under the hinges is in good condition.
  4. Prepare the jamb and door for the new hinge. If the old door hinge had been attached for some time, you may need to do a little repair work on the jamb and door. Sand down the wood if necessary, and add a new coat of paint or stain to match the pre-existing wood.
    • If the replacement hinges are sized differently from the old ones, fill in the mortise holes in both the door and the door frame with wood putty. Use a metal scraper to fill in the screw holes.
    • Allow the putty time to dry, and sand it smooth and flush with the surface.
    • Paint or stain the repair to match the rest of the door and trim.
  5. Install the new hinge. Place your new hinge over the location of the old one. Use a screwdriver and the package screws to secure the two sides of the hinge to the jamb and the door. Place the hinge pin in the hinge to secure the new hinge.
  6. Repeat the process on the second hinge. Move to the next hinge, and use a screwdriver to remove it. Replace it with the new hinge and new screws, holding it in place to make sure the hinge doesn’t get jostled out of location. Insert the new hinge pin when the new hinges are secured.
    • If you have a third center hinge, you should replace it at this point as well.
  7. Test the new hinges. Remove the shims from under the door, and try opening and closing it multiple times. If the door opens without any problems, then your job is finished![3]

Tips

  • The hinge flap with the most knuckles is the one that should be attached to the door frame.
  • Hinges are rated for the weight of the door, the number of openings the door will receive and other factors such as exposure to elements. Make sure you get the correct hinge for your door and its use.

Warnings

  • Make sure that the knuckles of the door hinges on exterior doors are located inside the house.

Things You'll Need

  • Hinge kit
  • Drop cloth
  • Sawhorses
  • Wood putty
  • Putty knife
  • Metal scraper
  • Paint or stain if needed
  • Sandpaper
  • Utility knife
  • Chisel
  • Hammer

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/door-hinges-installation.htm
  2. ↑ http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/how-to-install-door-hinges.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.acehardware.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=1299656
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