Doorways To Better Living
Screen Doors: Let the Outside In
Replacing a door
New doors instantly enhance the appeal of any home and it can be a relatively easy project. Generally, if you have basic carpentry skills, you can replace both interior and exterior doors yourself. HOWEVER, if you are not comfortable working with power tools or don't have basic home improvement skills, you might want to consider hiring a professional.
Interior Doors
1. Remove the old door by sliding out the pins and lifting the door free. Have someone hold the door as you remove the pins.
2. Remove the hinges. If in good condition, set them aside to be used on the new door.
3. Lay out the old door as a pattern, and place the new door directly on top of the old door. Using the old door as a guideline, trim the bottom of the door if necessary to make sure it is the same height as the old one. Use a fine tooth saw to trim the door.
4. Create mortises in the new door -- mortises are the area on the edge of the door that is carved out for the hinge. Using the old door as a pattern, mark the new door where hinge mortises should go. Now use the actual old hinge to outline the exact placement of the mortise.
5. Using a very sharp wood chisel, score the outline of the mortise to a depth equal to that of the hinge. Chisel away the excess wood, and use the door hinge to check for proper depth. Once the proper depth is achieved, reattach the door hinge with wood screws.
6. Install the knob using the template and instructions that come with it. Use the same mortising technique described above to install a new strike plate, if needed.
7. Hang the door and replace the pins. Check for proper fit, and trim the door further if you need to.
Exterior Doors
The procedure for installing an exterior door is virtually the same for an interior door with a few exceptions. First, you might want a deadbolt and a peephole for security purposes. Both options come with detailed instructions for installation; you can purchase either at any home improvement store. Second, make sure a new exterior wood door is properly painted, stained or sealed to prevent moisture warping and damage.