A background image of elaborate trim and an interior door accompanied by a vibrant red chair

From planning and design to construction and materials, we'll walk you through every step of the process to help you replace your trim and doors.

Step 1: Install Your New Doors

Required Tools:

Level
Square
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Nail Gun
Safety Glasses
Hammer
Tool Belt
Pry Bar
Utility Knife
Router
Chisel and Butt Marker

AND/OR

Hinge Jig and Router

Installing a door is a precise job that takes some skill to accomplish. Shimming a door jamb to level, plumb and square is critical to ensure the door does not bind when closed.

Hinges

The locations of hinges on doors are not standard. If you have door jambs installed with hinge locations already prepared you may have to get a slab door and router the hinge locations to match.

When measuring for hinges on your door, if the door and jamb have not been machined, a good rule of thumb for hinge placement is 8” down from the top, and 8” up from the bottom of the door. Some circumstances will require additional hinges.

When measuring for the hinges on the jamb you will need to keep in mind:
the gap at the top and the bottom, floor thickness, and expansion/contraction of the door

A butt hinge marker can come in handy if you are using a chisel to cut your hinges. Alternately a hinge jig for a router can be useful but is not cost effective when replacing only one, or two doors.

Butt hinge marker