Doors and Windows - Installing new Door- Help!
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Suzyhomemaker
05-29-07, 01:01 PM
I am trying to install a replacement exterior door. I had to buy new hinges and now when I place the door without the hinges it fits perfectly. However when I screw the hinges in, the door fits great at the bottom, but it's off about a 1/2 inch at the top upper left edge.. Any suggestions? Thanks
XSleeper
05-29-07, 03:36 PM
It's hard to picture exactly where the gap is that you are referring to. It also helps if you tell us which side is the hinge side and which side is the latch side.
The door should have a 1/8" gap along the entire length of the left side.
It should also have a 1/8" gap along the entire length of the right side.
The gap across the top of the door should also be 1/8" and should be even.
The hinges should be mortised into the door evenly, meaning, when the door is open, the hinge plate should be flush with the jamb (on one side of the hinge) AND flush with the wood of the door (on the other side of the hinge). If the hinges are mortised too deep, or not deep enough it will throw off everything on the latch side.
So you say that when you placed the door in the opening (without hinges) that the space around the door was even? You should have been able to center the door in the opening using 1/8" shims on all corners. If it changed after you put it on hinges, that would lead me to believe that the hinges have been mortised too deep somewhere.
The door should have a 1/8" gap along the entire length of the left side.
It should also have a 1/8" gap along the entire length of the right side.
The gap across the top of the door should also be 1/8" and should be even.
The hinges should be mortised into the door evenly, meaning, when the door is open, the hinge plate should be flush with the jamb (on one side of the hinge) AND flush with the wood of the door (on the other side of the hinge). If the hinges are mortised too deep, or not deep enough it will throw off everything on the latch side.
So you say that when you placed the door in the opening (without hinges) that the space around the door was even? You should have been able to center the door in the opening using 1/8" shims on all corners. If it changed after you put it on hinges, that would lead me to believe that the hinges have been mortised too deep somewhere.
Suzyhomemaker
05-30-07, 05:50 AM
XSleeper, Thanks for the info. The gap is on the latch side. I don't belive the hinges are mortised evenly, (woke up in the middle of the night thinking of that) so, I will check that when I get home tonight and add something under the hinges if necc.
Yes, when I placed the door in the opening there was 1/8" gap all around. I didn't realize how much the hinges affect the placement of the door. Thanks again for lesson!
Yes, when I placed the door in the opening there was 1/8" gap all around. I didn't realize how much the hinges affect the placement of the door. Thanks again for lesson!
HotinOKC
05-30-07, 10:08 AM
Were the old hinges laying flat on the door jam? The new door and hinges may require you to recess the hinges in the jam.