How to Install Unfinished Door Slabs
- 1). Bevel the leading edge of the door. This involves cutting a small angle into the edge that comes into contact with the door jamb first, when you close the door. Use a hand plane or a belt sander to shave a bit of the wood out of this part of the door (use a two to three degree bevel); be sure to do the full length of the door. Use sandpaper to smooth the edge.
- 2). Mortise the door slab for the hinges. You can use your old door as a template; measure the distance from the top of the door to the top of the hinge; repeat from the bottom edge of the door to the bottom hinge holes. Measure the size of the hinges as well.
- 3). Measure this same distance onto the new door and mark the spots you need to mortise. Take a chisel and a mallet and bang out the wood that the hinge will sit in. Be careful not to splinter the wood; you don't need to go very deep. Go ahead and pre-drill holes into the mortised areas and install your hinges.
- 4). Prep the door for the lockset. Again, using the old door as a template, determine the position of the knob hardware. Use a power drill fitted with the appropriate bit to drill holes for the door knob and the lockset.
- 5). Install your lockset into the holes you just created and secure them with screws. Put the latch strike plate on the edge of the door and use screws to attach it. You may need to mortise the strike plate before installing it.
- 6). Hang the door. Pick the slab up and attach the hinges to the door jamb; you may need help with this part depending on the size and weight of the new door. Check the door swing to ensure that you installed the door correctly.
