The interiors of our homes are often a reflection of our personality. This is the reason why many people like to decorate their homes by themselves. Doors and windows are an important element of the home décor as they are the only mode of access into the home. There are several ways to give your home a complete makeover. You can paint walls in different colors, change furniture pieces, install hardwood floors or give bathroom a makeover. However, all these ideas are time consuming and expensive. A relatively less expensive and an effective idea to give your home a new look is to replace interior doors. This becomes necessary if you have a dated house and doors are either damaged or unattractive. Replacing interior doors is simple, easy and cost effective.
Complexity Level : Basic
Time Required : 4 – 6 hours
Estimated Cost : $80 to $200 per door
Resources Needed
In order to replace interior doors, you need a few tools such as a hammer, pry bar, tape measure, pencil, door molding, saw, drill, nails and chisels.
Instructions
1. Take Measurements:
In order to replace the door, first of all, you need to take the exact measurement of the old door and cut or trim the new door accordingly. The width and the height of the door are standard measurements and should not really vary. However, if it varies, you might have to order for a new door as per your requirement.
2. Remove the Old door
Once you are done with the cutting and trimming of the new door, then you need to unscrew hinges on the old one so that you can remove it and replace it with the new door. You might want to wedge something under the door that can take its weight when you remove it. A folded cardboard or just about anything that is firm will do the job right.
3. Fix the Hinges
After you remove the old door, use it as a template for the new one in order to mark details like the placement of hinges etc. Now that you are aware of the placement of hinges, use a chisel to mortise the area to a proper depth so that hinges can be installed. Fix hinges on the door frame and then hold on the door in the frame. If old hinges are in a good shape, you can always use them for new doors. Just mortise the area of hinges on the new door and fix it in the frame with old hinges.
4. Fix the handle and door stopper
After hinges are fixed, your door is ready to function. Fix the handle and other details at respective places and you are done with the replacement of the door.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can an interior door be replaced with an exterior door?
Yes, it is possible to replace your interior door with any door, even the exterior door. However, you might want to consider the thickness
and other details before taking this step. Also, most exterior doors are larger in size and you will have to cut or trim them to fit into the door frame of an interior door. Here, you also need need to check if the exterior door is made of solid wood or of the planks of wood joint together. In the latter case, the cutting or trimming of the door might become difficult.
Quick Tips:
While removing nails, you can use a block of wood beneath the hammer to protect the surrounding wall or wood. While removing hinges to remove the old door, start from the bottom and work upwards. Do otherwise while fixing the door.
Things to Watch Out For:
- Doors are usually large and heavy. Hence, the job of replacing the door should not be done alone.
- Always lift the weight of the door on your knees instead of back.
- Read instruction manuals of all tools and follow all the safety instructions.
