Pro tips for fitting a simple hinge to a door

Fitting the hinges is the trickiest part of hanging a replacement door. It requires accurate measuring, and some basic carpentry skills. If you are feeling up to the task, follow these instructions and take your time!

• Hinges
• Trimming knife
• Marking gauge
• Chisel
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• Wedges
• Pencil

1. If your door is new, you must first cut recesses in which the hinges will sit, matching them perfectly with the hinge positions on the existing door frame. Hold the door againsts the frame, supporting it on wedges, and use a pencil to mark the positions of the hinges. Then carefully hold the hinges in place, and mark around the flap of each with a knife.
2. Set the marking gauge to the thickness of the hinge flap, and use it to mark the depth of the recess required on the edge of the door.
3. Cut around the perimeter of your recess with a sharp chisel, then make a series of cuts about five millimetres (3/16 inch) apart across the grain of the wood. Carefully pare away the waste with the chisel, making sure the bevel side is facing downwards. Try to leave as level a surface as possible on which to mount the hinge, but take care not to make so many adjustments that the recess becomes too deep.
4. Screw the hinge flaps into the door recesses with just one or two screws.
5. Put the door up to the frame and use wedges to support it. The door should be open at this point. Screw the free hinge flaps to the recesses in the frame with two screws. Check that the door swings freely and easily. If it does, insert the remaining hinge screws. If it doesn't open or close properly, you may have to adjust the hinge positions again.

Although fitting door hinges can be difficult, it's not impossible. Remember these tips and fit your door hinges like a pro!