How to Install an Internal Door

If you’re moving into a new home or considering a renovation, then you may need to install some new internal doors. The process of installing an internal door can sometimes be overwhelming, so in this guide, we’ll detail how you can fit your internal doors in the correct and proper way.

Delivery and Storage

Firstly, always ensure that your internal doors are fitted by a competent tradesperson, utilizing the appropriate tools and materials to be able to fit your internal door successfully. Upon the delivery of the internal door, you should check that your door is correct, by making sure that it’s the correct style, finish, and size in accordance with your order. Additionally, make sure to check for any damage that may have occurred in transit, especially damage to the protective packaging.
Doors can be incredibly heavy, and should be handled carefully to avoid accidents and damage to the doors and house. If necessary, get assistance when handling the door to ensure that it can be handled in the correct way.

The doors should also be stored flat and elevated from the floor with appropriate bearers, ideally in the same room that it’s going to be installed. It should be protected from damp and dirt and located in an area where it will not be damaged during storage.

Step 1

Start by carefully removing the existing door and hardware from where you’d like to install the internal door. Then, remove the packaging from the new door.

If it is a glazed door and the glass is protected by paint and peel, this should be left in place until painting or staining has been completed.

Step 2

After that, measure the door opening and allow approximately 3 millimetres clearance between the top and sides of the door, and the surrounding door lining. The clearance between the bottom edge of the door and the floor depends on the floor covering, and any threshold strips that may be fitted.

Step 3

Then, mark the door for trimming, which will ensure it fits within the door opening. It is important to remember that up to six millimetre can be removed from each edge of the door to a maximum reduction of 12 millimetre in both height and width. Any reduction must be removed evenly from each edge of the door. Certain doors, such as fire doors, may have different guidelines to fitting, and the installer must refer to the individual fitting instructions that come within the door packaging.

Step 4

Also, it is recommended that three hinges be used to hang the door. If there are existing hinge cut outs in the door lining, these can be used to locate the new door hinges. If the door lining has only two hinge cut outs, the third hinge should be positioned centrally between the top and bottom hinges.

Step 5

If the existing hinge cut outs are untidy, or the wrong size, neatly splice timber into the cut outs ready for fitting the new hinges.

The existing latch position in the door lining can also be used to determine the latch position on the door. Always remember however that latches should not be fitted adjacent to door mid rails where the joint may be compromised.

Step 6

After marking the door for trimming, plane it down to the correct size, checking the door fit as necessary. The hinge edge should be chamfered to prevent the hinges binding between the door and lining.

Step 7

Then, cut out and fit the hinges to the door, ensuring that all screw holes are pre-drilled.

Step 8

Cut out and fit the latch to the door, ensuring the handles are correctly aligned with the latch.

Step 9

Temporarily hang the door and fit the handles to ensure that the door is accurately fitted prior to finishing.

Step 10

Fit the new latch plate to the door lining and check that the door latch engages when the door is closed. After that, the door should open and shut smoothly when fitted without the need to apply excessive force.

After you’ve finished installing your new internal door, you will most likely want to start the painting process. Before you do that, always remember to first start by removing the door lining and all door hardware before painting or staining. After that, begin lightly sanding the door, and then finish it with a suitable product, such as a good quality paint, stain or vanish. Please remember to treat the top and bottom of the doors and the hardware cut outs, as well as the door faces and edges. If necessary, remove any paint and peel from glazed doors upon completion.

Once the final finishing coat on the door is dried, refit the hardware and rehang the door.

27th May 2022 Emily Green