How to install an interior door - instructions for novice repairmen

Building your own home does not tolerate trifles. Each step requires attention and certain knowledge. Every developer needs to know how to install an interior door in order to do it himself or to professionally evaluate the work of the builders. Door installation consists of many steps, starting with model selection, measurements and preparatory work. In order for the doors to serve well for many years, you need to follow the order of operations for assembling, installing, hanging and installing the handle and lock.

Checking the installation of platbands Source n-stile.ru

Door selection

Choosing a door is not as simple a question as it seems at first glance. A large assortment of different models allows you to think critically about each proposal. The main criteria for finding the optimal option:

• According to the opening method . Designers offer folding, sliding, swinging models, but swing options are still the most popular. They are the most reliable and easiest to use.
• By design . Swing models are divided into double-leaf, single-leaf with left and right opening methods. When choosing, pay attention to the dimensions of the room and the size of the doorway. If the opening width is more than 1 meter, it is impossible to find a finished product, since standard products have dimensions from 70 cm to 1 meter.

Types of interior doors Source www.dverimariam.ru

Advice ! If the house has small rooms (up to 10 sq.m.), then you can specially widen the opening and install a double-leaf structure. It will cost more, but in the future the open door will not take up too much space in the room.

• According to the material. Everyone focuses only on their own budget. All materials (MDF, veneer, solid wood) are designed for many years of use. The more expensive the material, the more carefully it needs to be handled. Restrictions apply only to bathroom doors. They must withstand high humidity and temperature changes.
• By design . In this matter, the owner is limited only by the fact that all doors in the building must be in the same style and the same color.

Required materials and tools

To replace the frame in an interior door you will need:

• door frame made of wood, MDF (both options are sold assembled or as a set of elements) or profiled metal (can only be purchased assembled);
• platbands (wooden, MDF, plastic);

Attention: the door frame can be telescopic, i.e. with a groove for fastening platbands. In this case, the platbands should also be telescopic - with a ridge.

• wood screws when installing the box on a plasterboard partition;
• self-tapping dowel for a brick or concrete wall;
• anchor bolts for a metal box;
• polyurethane foam for attaching the box to the walls;
• special nails for fastening platbands - colored, with a small head;
• vertical and horizontal bars for spacers;
• spacer wedges;
• an electric wood cross-cutting machine with a round rotating mechanism for cutting at angles of 45o and 90o (can be replaced by a hand saw for wood with a fine tooth and a special device for cutting at an angle - a miter box);

Electric cross-cutting machine.

Miter box.

• an electric drill (screwdriver) with a set of wood drills (for a plasterboard partition) or with a Pobedit tip for a brick or concrete wall;
• chisel for forming a recess for hinges;
• Phillips screwdriver or screwdriver with a set of bits;
• roulette;
• axe;
• level;
• plumb line;
• construction pencil;
• hammer;
• construction knife;
• crowbar (crowbar);
• a grinder for dismantling a metal door frame or a hacksaw for metal.

The given list of tools is universal and allows you to install a door frame made of any material.

Removing the old door frame

Any interior door consists of vertical frame posts, an upper cross beam (crossbar), a threshold (not always) and a door leaf. Dismantling the frame always begins with removing the door leaf from the hinges. To do this, a crowbar is placed under the door, which is open at 90o.

A solid object is placed under it to create leverage. The door leaf is lifted and removed from its hinges. It is better to do the work together so that the door does not fall. If the blade does not lift, the hinges are lubricated with anti-corrosion lubricant.

Further actions depend on whether the box is kept or thrown away.

Fast, destructive way

If the door structure will not be used in the future, all dismantling work is carried out quickly:

• The platbands are removed with an ax - the tip of the ax is driven with a hammer between the box and the platband until a gap appears. After this, the ax is moved closer to the fastener and rotated until the platband moves away from the box completely. Instead of an ax, you can use a nail puller;
• each vertical post is cut in the middle, after which it is turned out of the doorway with a crowbar;
• the threshold is also cut and removed with a crowbar;
• the fasteners are cut flush with the wall using a grinder or a hacksaw.

Gentle way

The easiest way to preserve the door frame with your own hands is to dismantle it. Step by step it looks like this:

• platbands are removed;
• the hinges and the latch bar are unscrewed - there is a hidden fastener underneath them;
• Use a screwdriver at low speed to unscrew the screws (the nails are removed with a nail puller). If they do not unscrew, then cut them off with a grinder or a hacksaw;
• The polyurethane foam is cut out with a construction knife;
• the door frame is carefully removed from the opening and disassembled.

When dismantling the doors, you must remember that a wall damaged during disassembly of the frame will cause problems several times greater than a few minutes spent on careful work.

Choice of equipment

Stores offer several configuration options that affect the speed and complexity of installation:

• door leaf, to which you will have to select everything else (frame, trim, hinges, handle, lock, extensions);
• canvas with box, ready for assembly and installation;
• complete unit with box and hanging hinges.
• door leaf, frame and trim.

Types of interior doors Source domstrousam.ru
The options differ in price; if you want to save money, it is better to purchase all the parts separately, and if you want to do everything faster, then it is better to buy a ready-made block.

Having chosen the models, you need to decide not only how to install the door, but also when to do it.

Manufacturers and prices

Let's find out at what cost installation kits for installing doors from different manufacturers are offered today.

The Krepdoor company offers high-quality installation kits from economy class to “Special” level. So, the economy option for 400 rubles is perfect if the weight of the door leaf does not exceed 50 kg.

But the “station wagon” set is more popular, which is also suitable for doors of the same “weight category”, but it includes a special curved key. The last tool allows you to quickly adjust the gaps and fix the brackets. The cost of the “station wagon” set is 420 rubles.

You may also be interested in reading about locks for aluminum doors.

For massive, heavy interior doors (for example, made of oak), the company offers an option with reinforced brackets. The cost of the “special” set is 495 rubles.

Domestic offers mounting devices for installing doors at a price of 400 rubles. Minus - the curved key is not included in the package. But if you do not take this drawback into account, in general the quality of the fasteners is decent and quite competitive.

You can also read the material on how to change the lock on a metal entrance door at this link.

By the way, if you search hard, you can find offers even at a price of 100 rubles per set. But in this case, a minimum order amount of 500 rubles is required. The quality of such sets causes logical concern, so it is better to pay more, but purchase a guaranteed quality product, than to become the owner of five faulty sets.

Optimal time for installation

Complete installation of doors is not an easy task and quite dirty, so you need to choose the right stage of repair, at which you can already work on the openings. Having carefully studied the installation process, you begin to understand that you need to choose a moment so that:

• on the one hand, the installation did not affect the condition of the repairs made, so that the wallpaper, flooring and other elements were not damaged;
• on the other hand, so that the door covering cannot be damaged during repair work.

There can be no clear answer in this case. The following options are possible:

• if you have to remove the old box, expand or narrow the opening, then it is better to do this in the first stages of repair;
• if the standard dimensions of the products and the doorway completely coincide, you can begin installation after finishing the ceiling and walls;
• you can divide the process into two stages, first mount the box, and hang the canvas and trim after wallpapering;
• If the installation of the door frame is entrusted to experienced specialists, then the installation can be postponed until the final period of repair.

Stages of installing an interior door Source termosys.ru
By the time of installation, all elements must be purchased. When assembling it yourself, you need to stock up on tools. If the installation will be carried out by invited specialists, then you need to clarify what consumables the customer must purchase (spray foam, fasteners, etc.) and what the contractors provide.

What principle should be followed when selecting a tool?

First of all, it is necessary to evaluate the scope of work and determine the list of tools, as mentioned above. Thanks to such forethought, it will be possible to save a lot of time: you will not have to go to the store while the work is being completed, because this can make it endless.

In addition, preliminary preparation will allow you to purchase a better quality instrument, make a thoughtful choice, and avoid pointless waste of nerves and money. If you choose a tool in a hurry, you can purchase low-quality devices that will very soon fail.

Those tools that are in the house should be checked to see whether they work or not. Equipment that sits idle for years can break down, rust, or stop working. In order to more accurately make a list of everything you need, you need to mentally imagine the amount of work that lies ahead. Let's give an example.

It is necessary to replace the previously installed doors; therefore, the dismantling of the frame is required, since the new frame must be installed in the prepared opening, and the slopes will need to be sealed in the walls. For such work you will need many different devices. If installation does not require removing the box, the entire procedure will be much simpler and will require a small number of devices.

In addition to the tool, you should think about the materials that may be needed during the work process. These can be materials such as self-tapping screws, nails, drill bits, electric saws, etc.

All this will definitely be needed, so the planning stage is very important, it will make the installation of doors as simple and enjoyable as possible.

Choosing a door installation option

There are three options for solving the issue of how to install an interior door.

The easiest, but most expensive way is to order the door along with installation. In this case, the customer only names the model and pays for the work; all other work, including measurements, delivery and installation, is performed by invited specialists.

The second method assumes that the door with the frame and other components is purchased independently, and the installation is carried out by repairmen.

Professional door installation Source www.design-lux.com

The third, most economical and riskiest option is that the developer himself performs all the work. This is quite possible, but you need to have some experience in construction work.

In the second and third cases, the owner will have to independently measure the opening to determine the dimensions of the canvas.

How to take measurements correctly

To do this you will need a tape measure with a retractable mechanism.

If the old door is being replaced, measurements can be taken in two ways:

• measure the removed canvas (height and width), and then buy according to ready-made data;
• start taking measurements after removing the old box.

Doorway measurements Source evimso.com
In a new house, openings usually initially have standard dimensions, which are indicated on the plan. But just in case, it is better to measure the height and width of the opening. To determine the required horizontal parameters of the canvas, you need from the obtained numbers:

• subtract the width of the box x 2
• add 5 mm for installing hinges and free opening.

When calculating the height, the vertical of the opening is measured, from it you need to subtract the height of the threshold (if there is one) and the opening gap from 2.5 to 4 cm.

Measurement parameters Source goodlinez.ru

The data obtained is compared with standard door sizes. If the difference is small, the width and height of the opening can be reduced with additional additions. If the results differ significantly from standard norms, then you can do different things:

• narrow or widen the doorway;
• order the production of doors according to existing standards.

Before deciding on such drastic measures, it is better to invite a specialist to take measurements and voice his conclusions.

Video description

You can see how to assemble a door frame in the video:
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the manufacture and installation of doors and windows

The design can be U-shaped or a closed rectangle of 4 parts.

Before starting assembly, all parts are measured again and checked against the opening parameters. The excess length of the side parts is cut off so as to provide for the thickness of the future floor covering. The horizontal strip should be 7 mm longer than the width of the canvas.

1. Space is cleared on the floor and the parts are placed next to each other.
2. The cutting areas are marked at an angle of 45° so that the vertical and horizontal elements coincide.
3. In a U-shaped structure, if a threshold is planned, then the lower parts are cut at a right angle.
4. Holes for connection are drilled using self-tapping screws;
5. The parts are assembled into a single structure.

Then there are two possible options.

In the first case , assembling the door frame involves the following sequence of actions:

• The box is installed in the opening;
• Using wedges, secure the upper part;

Securing the door with wedges Source rabotai-sam.ru

• The level checks compliance with horizontal and vertical directions;
• Drive the wedges at the bottom;
• The openings are carefully filled with foam, having previously sealed the adjacent parts of the box with masking tape;
• Fastening is done with self-tapping screws or dowels.

The second method is to first attach hinges and fabric to the box, and then install the entire block at once. In this case, spacers will be needed to hold the door until installation is completed.

Power tools you may need

For comfortable work, you will need a power tool, which is designed to simplify the door installation procedure. In addition, the use of various specialized electrical devices will significantly speed up the work and make it of better quality.

So, let's look at the necessary power tools:

Miter saw. This device allows you to cut various materials at the required angle. You can cut various elements of the box (for example, when connecting bars), platbands. In addition, such a saw can be an excellent replacement for a jigsaw, because it allows you to cut longitudinally.

Fraser. Allows you to make locking cutouts both in the front and back parts of the canvas, and at the end. In addition, it is suitable for cutting wood for installing hinges.

Jigsaw. In order to cut various materials lengthwise without unnecessary hassle, a jigsaw is useful. Can be used instead of a miter saw.

Electric drill. To pre-drill holes for self-tapping screws.

Screwdriver. Necessary for mounting various screws. In addition, a good screwdriver is quite capable of drilling holes using special drill bits.

Hammer. Allows you to drill holes in walls made of hard materials that a screwdriver cannot handle. It can be concrete or brick. You can use it to knock down excess mortar/concrete from the doorway.

This is a list of those door installation tools that will most likely be needed in any situation. The purchase of most of them is quite justified, since they will definitely come in handy on the farm. For example, with a screwdriver you can always easily tighten any bolt, and you will need a hammer drill to hang a picture or shelf on a load-bearing wall.

Attaching hinges, thresholds and hanging doors

Before inserting the interior door, you need to secure the hinges to the frame and door leaf. The technology may differ depending on the shape of the loops.

The hinges differ in design and purpose:

• Straight or card - the most common type, which is attached using side plates;
• Angled ones are similar to straight ones, but the shape of the plates is different to allow the door to move in both directions. They are used on rotary or pendulum structures;
• Screw-in ones, which have a rotating axis and pins instead of plates. Such models are not suitable for heavy doors;
• Hidden with a recessed hinge are quite expensive, so they are used on premium doors.

Types of door hinges Source dvervdome.ru

• Italian ones resemble furniture hinges. Usually found on products from European manufacturers.

Hinges can be attached to the surface (overhead), installed in cut-out recesses (mortise), or screwed in (screw-in).

Before installing the hinges, you must first determine how to properly install an interior door with a frame. There are left-handed, right-handed and universal designs.

After this, markings are made on the canvas and box:

• First, step back 20 cm from the bottom and top edges of the canvas and mark the installation locations with a pencil;
• Check to see if there are any knots or other damage at the insertion point on the canvas and frame that will interfere with fastening. If necessary, the location of the loops can be moved 1-2 cm in one direction or another;
• Apply and trace the loops or place marks at the fastening points;
• Carry out a check for free movement, which should not touch the canvas;
• The hinges are fastened in the manner suggested by the design.
• Similar operations are performed on the box, making sure that the connection points match.

Marking for loops Source rabotai-sam.ru

Do-it-yourself interior door installation

We insert the door frame into the opening, pushing it apart with wedges that you prepared in advance. The door frame is placed flush with the wall on the door side. Carefully level the racks and crossbar.

Installation of a door frame on a level

In this case, you need to ensure that the box does not narrow at the bottom; the drains must be strictly parallel to each other. We secure the door frame with dowels. The holes for the dowels should be pre-drilled with a 6 mm drill in three places on each rack (top, bottom and middle of the rack). After securing the door frame, we hang the door leaf and check the gaps around the perimeter, which should be 3 - 4 mm. If somewhere the gaps are larger or smaller, then we either tighten the dowels or weaken them, while inserting additional wedges.

After all the gaps around the perimeter are the same and the level is ideal everywhere. We move on to foaming the door frame. Before foaming, it is necessary to moisten the doorway with water for better adhesion of the foam to the door frame and opening and to speed up the setting of the foam. Carefully foam all the voids between the frame and the opening. After 1 - 1.5 hours the foam will rise and you can cut off the excess foam with a stationery knife. After the foam has risen, we check all the gaps again.

Foaming the door frame

Final stages of installation

Instructions on how to properly install an interior door may indicate different procedures.

If the door has a built-in lock, then the fittings are installed first, and then the trim is installed. But another course of action is also possible.

The handle is located approximately in the middle of the door, i.e. with a canvas height of 2 meters, the fittings are mounted at a distance of 1 meter from the bottom edge. With this arrangement, it is easiest to open the door, since there are no distortions. If the door is a hollow structure, or has loose filling inside, then you need to find the place where the frame beam passes. You can detect it by tapping. In most cases, such a beam is located at a height of 90 cm.

Handles on interior doors can be:

• overhead ones, which simply cut in at a convenient height. Typically, such handles are connected by a pin, for which a hole is drilled in the canvas. In recent years, such pens have been used less and less. They are often installed on the doors of children or people with poor coordination of movements, since they do not require any effort to open.
• rotary, with a locking mechanism that prevents the door from opening spontaneously due to a draft.

Installation of fittings Source rusvrnty.beget.tech

Briefly about the main thing

Installing an interior door is not the most difficult stage of repair; you can handle it yourself. But there are many nuances that you need to know before you start working. All actions are performed in the following sequence:

• taking measurements;
• preparing the opening for installation;
• choosing a model based on opening method, size and material;
• box assembly;
• installation of hinges;
• hanging the door;
• threshold setting;
• installation of handle and lock;
• fastening of platbands.

Only correct and careful execution of all actions guarantees a successful installation result.

Optional equipment

Additional work when installing interior doors often involves adjusting hinges and finishing slopes. Adjustment is necessary in order to check the tightness of the door to the frame. If necessary, the fastening element is tightened with a screwdriver or loosened. At this stage of work you will need a set of screwdrivers.

To plaster slopes, you need to prepare a kit that includes items such as:

• Spatulas
• Solution bath
• Set of brushes and rollers
• Grouting kit

Ideally, it is better to purchase professional equipment for installing interior doors. Such tools are tested by specialists and are reliable, and therefore guarantee high-quality work done. But the prices for such devices are quite high.