How to Install Interior Doors

Do you know that installing new interior doors can totally transform the look and feel of your space? This investment can also do a lot for the value of your home. But how difficult or easy is it to install?

Just like any other home improvement task, door installation interior can be a fun, fairly quick, and simple process.

Keep reading to learn more about how to install interior door.

What Tools Will You Use to Install an Interior Door

Before we touch on how to put on a door, you need to first know what tools you will need to use. We’ve compiled a list of the most common tools that you’ll need to get things done.

Circular Saw
Drill/Driver & Bits
Framing Square
Hammer
Nail Set
Pencil
Planer (Optional)
Safety Glasses
Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Utility Knife
Wood Chisel
Wood Shims

How to Remove an Old Door

If you want to know how to install new interior door, you should also know how to remove an old one. For the first-timer, this can be a time-consuming process. However, with the following steps, you can speed the process up.

Remove the hinge screws. Use a pry bar or a screwdriver to remove the hinge screws on the panel.
Remove the panel. Use a pry bar to lift it off the frame.
Use a screwdriver to uninstall the hardware like knobs, locks, and handles. You may be able to reuse them.
Clean up. Remove any remaining screws, studs, and nails on the existing frame.

You may need to remove the frame also if you plan to install a prehung door, as this model comes with its own frame. However, if you are reading this to learn how to install a slab interior door, then skip the following steps as you will likely be reusing your frame as long as it is still in good shape.

To remove the frame

First, remove the strike plate and the hinge plates from the frame.
Loosen the trim with a stiff putty knife.
Use a pry bar or chisel to tease out any nails holding the frame to the wall.
Remove the Frame.

Steps of Installing Inside Door

The following are steps that will teach you how to install inside door.

Remove the packaging and inspect the door

The first step is to remove the packaging from the product and inspect it for damage. If there are any damaged parts, you will need to replace them before getting started.

Measure the jamb

Measure the opening of the jamb so that you can verify that you bought the right replacement product. If you don't know how to, read our article on how to measure a door jamb for insight.

Fit the door into the opening

Next on how to install inside doors, fit the new piece into place and adjust it until it is right where you want it to be. A pre-hung will go into the rough opening, while a door slab will go into the existing frame.

Install shims

Check each side of your installation to make sure it is level or else you may have trouble getting it to stay in place once installed. If necessary, shim with wood blocks or spacers until they are plumb and level.

Start nailing

Once you have gotten everything level and straight, nail through the frame, into the shims, and into the adjacent wall studs. Drive nails through each shim every few inches but don't drive them all through at once — this will ensure that the balance of the panels is not disturbed.

Cut the shims

Once you've determined that the new panel is properly hanging and swinging, it's time to cut the shims.

Install the trim

Now that the excess shims have been removed, you can install the new trim.

Install hardware/ accessories

Final step on how do you install an interior door, install the hardware. This includes the knobs and stops.

Types of Interior Doors

Apart from knowing how to put in an interior door, it is also important to know the different types so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Bi-folding, Double, Flush, French, Pocket, Slabs, and Sliding doors are the most common types on the market.

Closet doors also fall under this category so sliding closet door installation may be something you also need to learn.

What are Typical Mistakes of Installing a Door

While it’s true that for most people, doors are fairly easy to install, there are a few mistakes that are common and can result in costly mistakes down the road. Some of these mistakes include:

Using the wrong tools
Taking improper measurements
Getting the hardware wrong
Not considering any necessary adjustments or changes.
Improper installation
Not hiring professionals
Buying the wrong product

Final Words

Now that you know how to install an inside door, why not consider replacing the old and worn-out ones in your house? This is one of the most effective ways to transform the look and feel of your space without investing in costly home improvement projects.

The key is to buy from a reliable custom door manufacturer like United Porte where you can choose from a wide variety of options, any of which will give your home the much-needed lift.

Browse through our products page and shop today.