How to Hang an Internal Door: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Hanging an internal door is one of those jobs that looks complicated but is genuinely manageable for a competent DIYer. Get the prep right, work carefully, and you'll end up with a door that swings smoothly and closes cleanly.

What You'll Need

Tools

• Tape measure
• Pencil and marking gauge
• Hand saw or circular saw
• Plane (hand plane or electric)
• Chisel set
• Mallet
• Drill and bits
• Screwdriver or impact driver
• Spirit level
• Wedges or door stands

Materials

• Internal door (sized to suit your opening)
• 3 × butt hinges (75mm or 100mm)
• Door latch or handle set
• Wood filler
• Primer and paint or door oil/wax

Step 1: Measure Your Opening and Choose the Right Door

Measure the width and height of your door frame opening, the clear gap between the linings. Standard internal doors in the UK are 762mm × 1981mm (2'6" × 6'6") but older NI properties can have non-standard openings, so always measure before buying.

You want the door to be slightly smaller than the frame opening, with a consistent gap of around 2mm on each side and at the top, and a gap of 6–8mm at the bottom to clear carpet or flooring.

Step 2: Trim the Door to Size

If the door needs trimming, mark your cut lines carefully. When sawing, cut with the good face upward if using a hand saw, or facing downward with a circular saw. For minor trimming, a hand plane is better than a saw.

Important: don't remove more than 6mm from any edge of a hollow-core door or you'll cut into the structural frame inside the blank.

Step 3: Mark and Cut Hinge Recesses on the Door

Internal doors typically use three hinges. Standard positions: top hinge 150mm from the top, bottom hinge 230mm from the bottom, middle hinge centred between the two.

Use a marking gauge and chisel to cut the hinge recesses on the door edge. The recess should be exactly as deep as the hinge leaf thickness which is typically 2mm.

Step 4: Mark and Cut Hinge Recesses on the Frame

With hinges screwed temporarily into the door, hold the door in the frame and mark the hinge positions onto the frame. Cut matching recesses to the same depth. Test-fit the door after each recess is cut out, it should sit flat with no gaps.

Step 5: Hang the Door

Screw the hinges to the door first, then hang the door onto the frame. Get someone to help hold the door while you start the screws.

Check the door swings freely and closes cleanly with a consistent gap all around. If the door sticks or binds, pack a hinge recess slightly with a thin piece of card to adjust position. If the gap is uneven, check the frame is plumb. Older NI properties often have frames slightly out of square.

Step 6: Fit the Latch and Handles

Mark the latch position on the door edge, typically 900mm from the floor. Cut the latch housing with a chisel, then mark and chisel the strike plate recess in the frame. Most door handle sets come with a fitting template to make this straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions