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Fitting a door is quite a task especially if you are un experienced. Why learn from your mistakes? Follow these step by step instructions and get it right first time.
Hinge Position
The next stage is to position the vertical lines between the two that you have just drawn for each hinge as you would when fitting the hinges to the door. Different to the door though, this line on the door frame does more than just set the hinge position for recessing, it also governs the position of the door in relation to the shoulder of the rebate. Too close and the door will rub against it, preventing it from closing properly, giving it a tendency to spring open. If it's too far, you end up with a gap that's too wide when the door is closed, so getting it right is important. Getting it wrong means spending time adjusting as well as making a mess of the door frame if the hinge needs repositioning.
Getting this position correct is actually quite simple; Measuring from the edge of the door to the edge of the hinge would give the exact distance from the outside face of the door to the shoulder of the rebate when the door is fitted. But because there must be clearance between them for free movement and
for the build up of paint, 2mm should be added to the measurement. When this has been done, add vertical lines using the same measure to the second and third hinge.
Cutting Out the Casing
Using the same procedure as with the door, cut out the recesses for the hinges into the doorframe, testing for fit as your proceed. Having a spare hinge for this job is a good idea.
Hanging
With the door in the open position (at 90 degrees), raise it up so that the open hinges correspond to the recesses that you have formed in the door frame. Beginning at the top and using a bradawl, make a pilot hole for one screw only before inset it. (If the door frame is hardwood, you will need to drill pilot holes for the screws).
Do the same with the bottom and centre hinges. Do not at this point insert the remaining screws as the door may need slight adjustments. Try closing the door and check for fit at the top, sides and between the door face and rebate. If all is correct insert the remaining screws. If you find that after inserting all the screws, the vertical gaps are no longer equal, i.e., the hinge side gap has been reduced and the lock side increased or vice-versa. This indicates that the recesses for the hinges are not accurate and have been set-in too deep or not deep enough and adjustments must be made by packing out slightly, or sinking in
further depending on the problem. If you find that though the two vertical gaps are correct, the door still catches as it closes on the lock side. This is usually due to the increase radius of the door when closing at its 'leading edge'. To overcome this, the door should be removed and planed at a slight angle to compensate for the difference to the full length of the door, so that the leading edge has a 2mm gap between it and the frame.
