Interior Door Installation in Palm Beach Gardens, FL: A Comprehensive Guide

Interior doors ensure home privacy, transform your home's appearance, and cancel noise. If you need help with interior door installation in Palm Beach Gardens, here is a guide for you.

If you have a damaged door frame, you should get a prehung door that includes the door and frame. If the structure is in great shape, a blank door is appropriate. Whatever your choice, there is a wide range of styles to match your home decor. Are you looking for interior door installation services in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, or its surroundings? Mr. Handyman can definitely help you – here is some of the work we have done in the past.

Here is a guide on how to install an interior door:

Materials Needed

• Interior door
• Pre-machined door frame
• Casing and finishing nails
• Screws
• Doorknob
• Doorstop
• Door jamb

Tools

• Hammer
• 4” level
• Wood chisel set
• Nail punch
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Utility knife
• Door hole drill bit
• Spade drill bit

Removing the Existing Door

Here are steps to follow in preparation for receiving the new door:

Step 1: Create Reference Marks

The fact that your old door can act as a template for your new one makes things even easier. So, before removing it, close it and mark a point 10 inches off the floor. Later on, as you trim your new door, these will act as reference marks.

Step 2: Get Rid of the Lockset, Plates, and Hinge Pins

Pull out the old lockset and hinge pins before finally removing the door. Also, remove the hinge plates from the door.

Preparing the New Door

To prepare your new door, follow these steps:

Determining the Door Size and Location of the Hinges

Step 1: Mark the New Door’s Excess

Place the new door on saw horses and lay the old one atop it. While at it, ensure the hinge sides and tops are flush and clamp them in place. On the new door, mark the excess for later trimming.

Step 2: Mark the Hinge Locations

A combination square will help you identify and mark the positions of your new door’s hinge mortises.

Step 3: Mark the Mortise Distances

With the help of the square, transfer the distance of the mortises from the door edge.

Step 4: Mark the Depths of the Mortises

Use a hinge to guide you in marking the depths of the mortises.

Step 5: Mark the Location of the Lockset

On the door face, mark the location of the lockset. Your lockset could have measurements to help you accurately place the hardware.

Step 6: Transfer the Marks

Transfer the reference marks you made from your old door to the new one. Then, put aside your old door.

Step 7: Prepare to Cut

From these reference marks on your new door, measure about 8 inches toward the bottom before making a straight line across the door. The line indicates where to cut to achieve a 1/8-inch clearance at the door's bottom.

Step 8: Trim the Excess

Use a planer or saw to cut off any excess from the new door’s bottom or sides. The door manufacturer may give instructions regarding cutting recommendations.

Attaching the Door Hardware

Door hinges could be square or rounded. For round hinges, it is recommended to use a router with a hinge template to cut mortises. On the other hand, square hinges require a chisel to cut the mortises. Follow the steps below to attach the door hardware:

Step 1: Score the Mortise Lines

Use a utility knife to score the mortise lines you made earlier.

Step 2: Outline the Edges of the Mortises and Make Relief Cuts

Use a hammer and chisel to outline each mortise’s edges before making relief cuts across the place.

Step 3: Remove the Wood Inside the Marks

Use a chisel to eliminate the wood in the marks. Keep the blade's beveled side down to remove minimal amounts of the material.

Step 4: Drill Pilot Holes and Attach the Hinge

At every mortise, hold the hinge in position. Next, drill pilot holes and, using screws, attach the hinge.

Step 5: Drill the Lockset Holes

Follow the hardware instructions regarding drilling the lockset holes. Only cut halfway through one of the door’s sides, flip it and finish the holes from the other side.

Step 6: Drill the Hole That Will Host the Latch

Use a 1-inch hole saw to drill the edge borehole to host the latch.

Step 7: Paint the Door

Now is the best time to paint your door if you need to.

Step 8: Install New Hinge Plates

Install the new hinge plates on the jamb and check to see if they are flush with the casing.

Step 9: Adjust the Mortise and Attach Hinge Plates

If the mortise is a bit shallow, use a chisel to remove some wood. If it is too deep, place cardboard behind the hinge plate to act as a shim.

Step 10: Attach the New Strike Plate

If you threw away your old strike plate, attach the new one.

Installing the Door

Follow the steps below to install your new door:

Step 1: Place the Door on the Hinges

If necessary, use wood shims on the floor to elevate it.

Step 2: Insert the Hinge Pins

If necessary, use a hammer.

Step 3: Test for Clearance

Work your door back and forth to test for clearance. There should be some clearance at the hinge sides, header, and strike sides.

Step 4: Install the Doorknob

Ensure you follow the directions given.

Step 5: Test the Door

Check to see if your door fits perfectly and swings freely.

Finding the Best Interior Door Installation Services in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

As you can see, installing an interior door in Palm Beach Gardens is quite an easy home project. However, you’ll require some specialized tools and moderate skills. So, if you have no knowledge or skills on this project, it's best to hire a reputable repairs and maintenance company like Mr. Handyman. Are you a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, or the surrounding communities and are in need of our services, check out our catalog and call us for any inquiries.