How To Install a Slab Door - The Home Depot

Installing a slab door is a project that some customers choose when they don’t want to replace the door jamb, but just the door itself. Many times the old door may have become damaged. This is fairly common with interior hollow core doors. Replacing just the door slab actually requires more advanced carpentry skills than installing an entirely new pre hung door. On a scale of one to five with five being very difficult, this project is about a four. Always ensure you have the following tools and supplies when installing a slab door; a carpenter’s pencil, electric drill, with drill bits. A Philips head screw driver, wood chisels, utility knife, tape measure and safety glasses.
Remove the old door from the opening by unscrewing the hinges from the back edge of the door; measure from the top of the existing door to the top of the first hinge mortise. Transcribe the hinge measurements onto the door. Be careful because the hinges must be placed exactly; next, the top of the second hinge mortise and finally to the top of the bottom hinge. Measure the space between the edge of the hinge mortise to the edge of the door. By measuring the distance from this mark to the edge of the hinge leaf, you will determine the width of the hinge relief mortise for each hinge. Remove the hinge from the old door. Using the hinge as a template, line it up with the marks you made on the door edge. Using a carpenter’s pencil, trace around the hinge in each hinge location. Scribe along these lines with a sharp knife. Carefully remove the waste wood with the chisel with the depth of the hinge leaf. Using the hinge leaf as a guide, mark the location of the pilot holes for the attachment screws in each of the relief mortises. Drill a pilot hole for only the center screws of the top and bottom hinges. Hold the door in place so that the hinges are accessible. Install the center screw only for the top and bottom hinges. Check the door operation. When the door operates smoothly, install the rest of the hinge screws. As a finishing touch, install the door knob and any related hardware. That’s it.


Transcription by: Scribe4you Transcription Services