How To Hang A Door And Frame

Knowing how to hang a door and frame properly is a good skill to master if you own your home. Changing the doors in your house is a great way to update the look of your home. Hanging a door and frame does not require a lot of specific skills or knowledge, but paying attention to detail and making sure that everything is installed perfectly will ensure that you are happy with the results. A door that is installed incorrectly can rub on the frame, have gaps around it or not stay closed by itself.

Here are some things you will need to complete this project:

• A pre-hung door (door already hanging in its own frame)
• Drill and screws 
• Wooden door shims
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Nail gun, air compressor and nails or hammer and finish nails
• New door trim

1. Prepare the opening for the new door. Remove all of the trim from the inside and outside of the door jamb. Take down the existing door and remove the old door casing. Make sure you have removed everything and are working with the rough door opening. Measure the opening to determine the size of the door and frame that you need.
2. Position the pre-hung door in the opening. Start working on the hinge side of the door. Push it against the rough opening. Use the level to check that the door is square. Close the door and check for gaps.
3. Attach the door. If the door is square, use the drill and screws to attach the frame to the rough opening. If the door is not square, you will need to use the shims to make adjustments until it is. Make sure to screw through the new door frame, the shims and into the rough opening. Work your way around the door from the hinge side, to the top and finally the side with the door knob. Use the level to check that the door is square as you work around the door and open and close the door to check for uneven gaps and rubbing.
4. Install the new door trim. Measure and cut the new door trim. Using either a hammer and finish nails or a nail gun, attach the new door trim to the inside and outside of the door jamb.

It is more expensive to purchase a door and frame than to just buy the door itself, and if you live in a newer home it may not be necessary. You can probably just buy slab doors and use the existing door frames. This is a much easier project. If, on the other hand, you live in an older home that has settled over time, using a pre-hung door will allow you to adjust the door frame to get the most professional-looking results.