i had to replace a damaged door in my apartment, so i bought a door from stock at home depot. the door seems to be 1/4" too wide for the frame. should i return the door and have one custom made. should i try to sand it down, if so, how do i keep a straight line.
2006-08-06 13:37:21 · 8 answers · asked by shelikesdior 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
also, i might add that i live in new york city and do not have a lot of room for big projects.
2006-08-06 14:16:39 · update #1
i bought a 30" width door. but it does not fit. should i buy smaller hinges.
2006-08-06 14:17:49 · update #2
The first answer from VG would work UNLESS the door is already bored for the door knob and mortised for the hinges. If it is you can’t cut off the side the knob is on or it will throw off the setback for the knob, you would have to cut it off the hinge side and re-mortise it. It would be a good idea to check the height before you take it to be cut so you don’t have to do it twice.
Good luck,
Bruce
2006-08-06 14:57:00 · answer #1 · answered by Homes R Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the new door that you have purchased already has the door knob hole bored and the hinge locations mortised, take it back. You need to get a door slab that doesn't have the door knob hole bored or the hinges mortiseed. If you are not handy you should get a professional to cut the door down and mortis the hinges and bore the door knob and door latch assembly holes. For the tools you need to do the job correctly would cost more than paying a professional to do just the 1 door for you.
If you want to pay a few dollars more you could go to a lumber yard that has a trim and milling section and they can mill the door to your specifications. Make sure that when you go to the milling section of a lumber yard that you bring the old door with you so that they can make it to the size you need and that all of your hinges and door knob assembly are in the right locations. No door from a home center will have the hinges and door knob locations exactly where you need them. Even when you buy new doors the hinge and door knob locations vary.
2006-08-06 15:21:31 · answer #2 · answered by Mac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first answer from VG was absolutely correct. Take 1/8 inch off each side. While you're at it, measure the height as well. If the door is a little too long, fix that at the same time. Sanding for a 1/4 inch change won't work.
2006-08-06 14:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Carlos R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The door will have to be cut to size. I don't know why but a lot of apartments have doors that are 29 3/4 inches instead of a standard 30 inch. That holds true in Kansas City also. It must be that when the older apartments were built that was a standard size for construction. One way or another it will have to be trimmed.
2006-08-07 01:00:35 · answer #4 · answered by pinewhispers1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have 1/8Th of an inch on each side trimmed off, about the width of a saw blade. Have a carpenter do it on a table saw; lots cheaper than a custom door.
2006-08-06 13:42:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the door should be a standard size, 24 30 32 36.
2006-08-06 14:16:22 · answer #6 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a plane to shave a little off on each side, then sand with fine paper.
This should do the trick.
2006-08-06 14:41:02 · answer #7 · answered by freaky gardener 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the latch side of the door will be beveled, to allow it to swing and not hit the jamb. make sure you use a tape measure and measure the old door. you use the word SEEMS TO BE. a tape will tell for sure.
2006-08-06 15:48:31 · answer #8 · answered by fixitall123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋