How to Hang a Door Using Butt Hinges

Replacing your doors can seem complicated but it's actually a quick and simple way to refresh your space! 

In this guide, we explain how to hang a door using butt hinges. This guide is applicable to interior doors, external doors, and even cupboard doors as the principles are the same.

Contents

• Tools Needed
• A Guide to Fitting Butt Hinges to a Door
• How to Hang a Door with Butt Hinges
• Safety Precautions

Tools Needed

To complete this job, you'll need the following tools:

• Door
• 3 x butt hinges (the number may vary depending on your door)
• Pencil
• Electric drill
• Drill bits
• Wood screws
• Sharp chisel

 1. Position the hinge

Start by positioning your hinge on the edge of the door so that the knuckle can move freely and mark its position with a pencil.

2. Score the position

Score into the wood with a knife using either your pencil marks or the hinges itself. This will aide as a guide for the next steps involving a chisel.

3. Chisel a space for the hinge

Using a sharp chisel, cut around the shape of your hinge by following the outline you scored in the previous step. Take care not to chisel over the lines or split the edge of the door. 

Keep chiselling until you've chiselled out a space a similar depth to the thickness of your hinge leaf, so that the hinge will sit flush with the level of the surface. This can always be adjusted at a later stage if needed. 

4. Drill your pilot holes

Once enough space has been chiselled for the hinge to sit flush, hold the hinge in place and drill pilot holes for the screws provided. Ensure you hold the hinge firmly in place so it doesn't move during the drilling process.

If you're unable to hold the hinge in place while you drill, simply mark the screw holes with a pencil, remove the hinge, and then drill your pilot holes.

5. Fit the butt hinge

Loosely fit each of the screws provided using the pilot holes previously drilled. Gradually tighten each screw until the hinge is firmly and securely in place.

6. Repeat

Repeat steps 1-5 for all the hinges you're using with your door. 

Please keep in mind that the same steps are involved for fitting butt hinges to a front door, interior door, or even a cupboard door.

How to Hang a Door with Butt Hinges

If you've followed part one above (How to Fit Butt Hinges to a Door) then you're ready to follow part two, which is How to Hang a Door with Butt Hinges.

1. Position your door and hinges

Hold the door against the door frame (a second pair of hands is helpful here!) and position it where you want it to sit. Ensure the door is centered in the gap, with an equal amount of space at the top and bottom.

When holding the door up, ensure all hinge leaves are open to ensure you get the correct position on the frame.

Use a pencil to mark the position of the hinge knuckle and leaf on the door frame.

2. Align the hinges

If you have a spare hinge (which you will if you're using three hinges as advised), open it out to line up with your previous pencil marks to ascertain its position on the inside of the door jamb. Allow plenty of space for the knuckle to bend freely without marking the frame. 

3. Chisel the door frame

Once this has been marked out, chisel around the pencil lines. You may find it easier to score these lines with a sharp Stanley knife prior to chiselling to give yourself some clearer guides. 

Chisel out to the thickness of the hinge leaf so that the leaf will sit flush with the surface.

4. Make pilot holes

Take your spare hinge and hold the hinge leaf firmly in the correct position on the door jamb, in the space you've just chiselled. Use a pencil to mark the position of each of the screw holes.

Then, take an electric drill and drill shallow pilot holes for each of the screws.

Repeat steps 1-4 for all the hinges you'll be using to hang your door.

 5. Fit your door to the frame

Hold the door in position, lifted from the ground with each butt hinge aligned with with the chiselled space on the door frame. Use the screws provided and loosely fit each one in place, gradually tightening them until the hinges are firmly and securely in place. 

Test the door to see if everything works smoothly. If the door does not open and close smoothly, you may need to make some adjustments.

The same principles are involved if you are fitting butt hinges to a front door, interior door, or a cupboard door as this guide is applicable to most uses of butt hinges. 

Safety Precautions

• Protect your ears when using power tools (such as electric drills) by using ear plugs or defenders. 
• Ensure you have all the safety equipment required before starting your project. Depending on the tools you're using, this may include a dust mask, safety goggles, or a hard hat.
• When cutting, sanding, or drilling wood, ensure it is tightly secured in place, such as by using a vice or work bench.
• When using sharp or electric tools, ensure they're always directed away from your body to minimise the risk of accidents.