How to Install a Prehung Door

By: Charles Wardell, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. PREHUNG DOOR WITH SPLIT JAMS

2. SHIMS
for adjusting and supporting jambs

3. STRIKE PLATE
to protect jamb from latch bolt

4. LOCKSET
to hold door closed

5. 4D FINISH NAILS
to tack shims in place

6. 8D FINISH NAILS
to nail through casing

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Hammer or nail gun,
  to attach casing and jambs to rough opening
- 4-foot level,
  for checking plumb or level
- Drill/driver,
  for fastening hinges
- Tape measure
- 3/4-inch chisel,
  for fine-tuning mortises
- Phillips-head screwdriver,
  for mounting lockset
- Utility knife (for trimming shims
- Retractable plumb bob,
  for plumbing jamb
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Tom Silva mounting the latch hardware of a prehung door

Photo: David Carmack

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
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- 8
- 9

8. Mount the latch hardware

Fasten the strike plate to the mortise in the latch jamb using the screws provided. If the plate is bigger than the mortise, put the plate on the jamb, outline it with a pencil, and chisel to the outline.

Slip the latch bolt into its bore and fasten its plate into the mortise on the door's edge with the screws provided. If the mortise is too tight, adjust its size in the same way as you did the strike plate.

Fit the knobs to both sides of the latch bolt, then insert and tighten the connecting screws that hold the knobs together.

Close the door and listen for the latch sliding into its strike. If the door rattles, bend the prong on the strike plate slightly toward the stop. If the latch doesn't catch, bend the prong away from the stop. Tighten all the screws.