How To Hinge A Door Jamb

Hinge mortises on a door are often cut by machine with a router and straight bit but you can cut mortises by hand using a hammer and chisel as well.

How to hinge a door jamb.

Screw the door frame together with 2 1 2 inch screws. Using a mortising template route matching mortises for the hinges on the door and jamb. Door jamb frames consist of two vertical legs or side jambs and a horizontal board at the top called the head jamb. Cut the head jamb to a length equal to the door width plus the combined rabbet or dado depth plus slightly more than 1 8 inch.

Make sure it s tight and opening in the right direction. You ll want these in the same position so that your door will align properly. Lay your new door across two sawhorses with both ends and sides hanging off somewhat. The hinge mortise allows the hinge to be mounted flush with the jamb and door so the door will close properly.

Test the door to make sure it works and you re finished. Leave the wall side knuckles attached to the door jamb. Line up the two hinge plates so that the ones on the door match the ones in the jamb. Trim door to correct size.

To do a good job cutting mortises the chisel needs to be razor sharp. Transfering door hinges to a new jamb. Connect the door to the jamb. It s much easier to do now before the hinges are screwed in and the whole thing is attached to the door.

Open the door wide and insert a wedge under the bottom outside corner to level it. Slide the hinge pins into place and remove the blocks from the door. Attach the hinges to the jamb and the door. When the door is attached with hinges to the completed jamb frame the entire assembly is referred to as a prehung door.

Remove the screws that hold the loose hinge leaf to the door jamb. Screw the hinges onto the correct side of the jamb. How to tighten stripped hinge screws. Begin with the mortises on the door then the mortises on the jamb.

One of the great ways to pre hang a door and jamb that you can use on every site. This all in one unit is often used in new construction to avoid separate installation of the jamb and the. Place your old door on top of the new one. Place the door in the jamb and fasten it to the hinges.

Hold the door in place using blocks under the bottom to support it if necessary. Hang the door in the jamb. Using both hands lift the door off the hinge knuckles.