How to Replace an Interior Door

• Time: 4 to 6 hours
• Cost: $80 to $200 (door); $40 to $100 (lockset)
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Introduction

Replacing an existing door with a new one is just about as easy as it sounds—you use the old door as a template to cut the new door to size and to outfit it with hinges and a lockset. Then you replace it in the existing jamb. No fuss, no muss.

Switching out the door in an old jamb is a great solution when you have a door that's badly warped or damaged, or when you want to upgrade all the doors in your home to improve quality or change style. We asked Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, to take us through the steps. He's hung and replaced so many doors he's lost track of the number. As a result, he's got a few tricks to maek things go faster and better.

Steps

• Introduction
• Overview
• 1. Remove the old door
• 2. Mark the new door for trimming
• 3. Cut the door down to size
• 4. Lay out the hinge mortises
• 5. Chisel out for the hinges
• 6. Screw on the hinges
• 7. Drill for and assemble the lockset
• 8. Hang the new door

Helpful Info:

Step By Step: How to Install a Lockset

Ask This Old House: Doors Don't Behave

Article: French Doors With Vintage Flair