How Does a Hinge Go on a Door?

A common question for new homeowners trying to put up slab doors is how does a hinge go on a door? It’s easy, you just need to measure and accurately create the hole for the hinges on the door and door jamb, after which you align the hinges carefully and screw them in.

While pre-hung doors are somewhat easier to fix, slab doors give you customization options. But what’s the easiest way to install a hinge on a door?

Mortising 

The simple definition of mortising entails installing door hinges on door blanks and sinking them flush. When you mortise a door hinge accurately, it gives a tighter fit which allows the door to open and close properly.

Before installing a hinge on a door, you must check out the building regulations of your city or county. Since the hinge placement affects the door swing, you must place it appropriately to avoid breaking any violations.

Benefits of an Accurate Mortise

A good mortise will affect the functionality of your door in many ways. Mortising accurately is important for,

• Excellent Door Alignment: When you mortise accurately, the hinge sits flush with the door and frame. This ensures the door opens and closes smoothly without rubbing against the frame.
• Enhances Door Stability: An accurate mortise keeps the hinge secure which allows the door’s weight to be evenly distributed. This also prevents strain on the hinges and improves the lifespan of the door.
• Prevents Damage: A secure hinge sits perfectly and is flush within the frame. In a situation where the hinge is sticking out or forced into the mortise, parts of your frame might be compromised. This will cause your door to warp easily and break down quickly.
• Improves the Look: A good mortise also helps with the overall aesthetics of your door. When the hinge sits flush and your door is aligned, it works and looks perfect. There are no damages and it appears like it’s been fixed by a professional.

How To Install a Hinge on a Door

Installing a hinge on a door might seem like a strenuous task but it is straightforward. You can do this with tools you have at home or head to your local hardware store to buy some.

Note: A door hinge is installed accurately when one-half of the hinge is on the door frame and the other half is on the side of the door.

Essential Tools

• Wood chisel
• Hammer
• Metal file or whetstone
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill bit set
• Cordless drill
• Self-centering drill bit
• Utility knife
• Old towel

Materials

• Door slab
• Screws
• Hinges

How Does a Hinge Go on a Door?- Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Create Your Workspace 

Place an old cloth or towel on the floor to create a cushion for the door. Prop the door on its side and ensure the handle side faces the floor. If you have an assistant, they can hold it in place for you.

Alternatively, you can use a wood clamp to secure the door to a sturdy chair.

Step 2: Safety Consideration

Put on eye protection to avoid wood chips from getting in your eyes. Using a hammer or file on wood will cause particles to move into the atmosphere. Always remember to cut wood away from the direction of your body.

Step 3: Decide on the Placement of the Hinges

The position of the hinges affect how the door swings so, for the door to swing inward, the pin side of the hinge will need to be in the interior of the door.

The top hinge should be 5 inches from the top and the bottom hinge 10 inches from the bottom of the door. You may decide to mortise a door frame first before in which case you can follow the pattern for the door.

Step 4: Mark The Placement Points for Your Hinges

Mark out the placement for the hinges with a tape measure and a pencil lay a hinge on the mark. Ensure the pin side is on the side of the door swing which will keep the hinge from the edge of the door.

The best way to achieve this is by letting the hinge drape open so one side is hanging down and the other is resting on the side of the door.

Step 5: Cut Out The Outline

Use a utility knife to cut out the marked area. It should be deep enough to fit the thickness of the hinge, which is usually around 1/16 inches.

Step 6: Use a New Chisel or Sharpen Your Old One

Remember you want a precise job so you need your chisel to be as sharp as possible. To sharpen an old chisel you must,

• Lay the chisel on a sturdy and flat surface
• File the chisel or use a whetstone to sharpen it

Step 7: Mortise The Hinge

Deepen the inside area of the pencil line. Do this with a chisel and hammer, slow and steady until you get the desired depth. Ensure the depth is perfect for the thickness of the hinge. Level the mortise area by gently scraping with the chisel.

Step 8: Ensure the Hinge Depth is Accurate 

Put the hinge in the mortise and check that it fits. To be certain, run your finger across the top of the hinge to ensure that it isn’t sticking out. It should be flush with the door surface.

You can always work the mortise again if the hinge is too high out.

Step 9: Install The Hinges

Mount the hinges to the door using the cordless drill and screws available. Some hinges are sold with their own screws, it will also work for this step.

If you prefer to seek the help of a professional, be sure to call on George Furniture for an excellent job.

Best Tips for Putting a Hinge on a Door

Work Slowly 

The process of mounting a hinge on a door is straightforward but requires precision to be effective. Mortising a door hinge requires patience to avoid cutting too deep and damaging other parts of the door.

For instance, building your home requires you to do multiple tasks. It’s important to work slowly to prevent any mistakes that may affect other parts of the process.

The Hinges Must be Leveled

It’s important for your hinges to be leveled across the surface of the door. If the hinges aren’t mounted evenly or it’s in the wrong position, the door would not close properly.

Always Get The Appropriate Hinges

There are different hinges for distinct door types. Using the appropriate hinge for a door will make it align properly and allow the door to open the right way. For instance, ball-bearing hinges are perfect for heavy doors because of the sealed pins which cannot be removed.

However, pin door hinges have sealed pins that can be removed making them perfect for interior doors.

Use only High Quality Tools

Next to skill, using the best tools to mount a hinge on a door is important. For this job, you need to make precise cuts and mortise so you need a sharp chisel. If you have an old chisel, you must sharpen with a file or whetstone before starting your home project.

Self-Centering Bits Help with Alignment 

It’s important for the holes for the hinges to be centered for the right balance. If the hole isn’t centered then the doors would be out of place and won’t close well. Self-centering bits is more effective than eyeballing the position.

Replace Old Hinges with the same Specifications

When you want to install replacement hinges, you must ensure the new hinges match the specifications of the old one. It’s important to thoroughly measure and check that the new hinges fit in the old mortises. You can then make any needed adjustments to ensure the door works smoothly.

FAQ

Which Way Does the Hinge Go on The Door?

Since most residential doors swing inwards, the hinge should always point to the opening side. This will enable the door to open up well and without any restrictions.

What is The Rule for Door Hinges?

The major rule to observe for door hinges is that your door needs a hinge for every 30 inches of door height. So, a standard door size usually has between 2-3 hinges. If you’re installing 2 hinges, position one 5 inches from the top of the door and 10 inches from the bottom.

Do Door Hinges Go Both Ways?

Double action hinges go both ways allowing your door to open up in different directions. These types of doors are perfect for areas in the home that receive a lot of traffic like a hallway.  You need a two-way hinge for your door to swing both ways.

However, most residential door hinges support doors opening in one direction.  

Can Door Hinges be Installed Backwards?

Many door hinges can be installed backwards or reversed. However, a lot of hinges are designed to be installed in one direction.

What are The Three Types of Hinges?

The three major types of hinges are butt, butterfly, and flush hinges. Overall, butt hinges are the most common ones especially for DIY installation.