Your new door must be stored flat in dry conditions and well away from sources of heat (radiators etc.) and direct sunlight. Do not remove the protective packaging from your door until you are ready to treat and fit the door. If you are going to hang doors properly, you have to have the right tools and the work must be done carefully and accurately.

Tools for the Job

• Door
• Hinges
• Hand saw
• Hand plane
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Mallet
• Tri square
• Screwdriver
• Chisel

Step 1

Start by measuring the height and width of the door frame. You are unlikely to find a door that is exactly the same size as this opening, so you will have to buy the next size up and trim the edges to fit.

Step 2

Remove the old door and its hinges, taking care not to damage the frame. Get someone to support the door while you unscrew it.

Step 3

Unpack your new door. It will probably have protective pieces of timber on each corner which need to be prised off. New panelled doors usually have short protective extensions on the top and bottom. You will have to saw these off. If you use a hand saw, start by marking the area to be removed with a tri square to make sure you are cutting at 90°.

Step 4

Position the door against the frame to mark it for trimming. Tying a loop of string around the middle of the door makes it easier to handle. You should finish with a 1/16th inch (2mm) clearance (the width of a 2p coin) on the top and sides. Slip small wedges under the bottom of the door about 1/2 inch (10mm) off the ground. This makes sure that when the door has been cut, it will comfortably clear the carpet.

Step 5

Lightly mark the outline of the frame on the face of the door with a pencil. Doors should be reduced in size equally from both sides when fitting. With all exterior doors, you should take off an extra 1/16th inch (2mm) all round to allow for expansion of the timber in damp weather.

Step 6

To cut a door, lay it flat on a workbench or a pair of trestles and clamp it firmly in place. Use a hand saw or electric saw to remove the bulk of the waste.

Step 7

Turn the door on its side and clamp it in a workbench. Use a large plane on the long sides, and work in the direction of the grain. If you work against the grain, the blade will dig into the wood and leave a rough unsatisfactory finish.