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- Summary
- Trimming a door requires careful measurement.
- It is recommended that you enlist the help of
- a willing friend before you embark on this task.
-
- 1 Measuring the frame
- 2 Checking the vertical edges of the frame
- 3 Before you buy a door
- 4 Removing the old door
- 5 Checking the door against the frame
- 6 Marking the door height
- 7 Marking the door width
- 8 Cutting the door
- 9 Plane the stile edges
- 10 Planing the top and bottom of the door
-
-
- Tools
- Tape measure, door wedges, pencil, ruler, saw, plane,
- medium grade glass paper.
-
- Materials
- Door, hinges, screws.
-
- Step 1 - Measuring the frame
- Measure the frame carefully in three places for both
- height and width. Measure the two diagonals. If the
- diagonal measurements are not equal, the frame is
- not square.
-
- Step 2 - Checking the vertical edges of the frame
- A slightly warped frame can still be used if the
- hinged side is plumb. The other side of the door
- can be trimmed to fit.
-
- Step 3 - Before you buy a door
- Doors come in several standard sizes, which should
- correspond with your frame. Exterior doors are
- usually bigger in most dimensions. Check that your
- current door corresponds with a size from your local
- supplier, or is only slightly smaller. The amount you
- can trim off will depend on itÆs construction, check
- the guarantee with your supplier for the maximum
- measurements.`11`1
-
- Step 4 - Removing the old door
- You will need someone to help you with this process.
- Open the door at 90 degrees. Slowly begin to loosen
- the screws. Place wedges beneath the door and get a
- friend to hold it steady. Remove the screws from the
- bottom hinge and all but one of the top set. Remove
- the last one slowly as your partner holds the door
- steady.
-
- Step 5 - Checking the door against the frame
- The door should have a clearance of 2mm for a flush
- door 3mm for a panelled door on the top and sides.
- Check with the manufacturerÆs instructions for the
- correct clearance from the floor. It should be
- between 3mm and 5mm.
-
- Step 6 - Marking the door height
- You need to mark the relevant clearance on the door.
- On flush doors an equal amount should be taken off
- the top and bottom. For a panelled door take the
- excess only from the bottom of the door.
-
- Step 7 - Marking the door width
- Hold the door against the frame from the inside
- and mark the locking jamb against the door. Remove
- the door and measure an extra 4mm in from your mark.
- This second mark represents the correct width of
- the door.
-
- Step 8 - Cutting the door
- You are now ready to cut the door along the marks
- you have made. If you need to cut off at least 12mm
- it is best to use a saw rather than a plane. Always
- saw off 2mm less than your mark and finish off using
- a plane. This will ensure that you can trim the door
- precisely.
-
- Step 9 - Plane the stile edges
- Always plane towards the centre of the door. Stop
- at regular intervals and hold the door against the
- frame to make sure you do not take off too much.
- Create a slightly beveled edge tilting towards the
- doorstop on the stile edges.
-
- Step 10 - Planing the top and bottom of the door
- Use the same method to plane the top and bottom
- edges. Finally sand the cut edges with medium grade
- glasspaper, to ensure a smooth finish.
-
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