Installing Door Frame: From Start to Finish
90% of the success of the entire event is correct installation of the door frame, regardless of whether the door leaf is made of MDF, metal or solid wood. Any professional video (door frame installation + all related activities) or amateur series "with your own hands" emphasizes the importance of proper preparation. Assembly of the interior door frame (video)
Assembly of the door frame without threshold (video)
Purchasing Doors
A new door, more precisely its frame, which by the way is better to buy in one piece, i.e.
Preparation for Installation
90% of the success of the entire event is correct installation of the door frame, regardless of whether the door leaf is made of MDF, metal or solid wood. Any professional video (door frame installation + all related activities) or amateur series "with your own hands" emphasizes the importance of proper preparation.
Assembly of the Interior Door Frame (video)
Assembly of the Door Frame Without Threshold (video)
Purchasing Doors
A new door, more precisely its frame, which by the way is better to buy in one piece, i.e. ready for installation, is measured and compared with the dimensions of the existing door opening. Then we choose hinges (if they are not hidden) for the door and frame, measure equal segments from the top and possibly the bottom of the door leaf to install hinges first on the frame, and then on the door itself.
Important! The installation of hinges depends on their construction and how they must be attached to the door.
After that, doors are hung on the door frame and their clearances are checked. When the top of the door frame and the door itself meet all requirements, it is possible to proceed with the bottom of the door. What and how should be at the bottom depends on the weight of items and, first of all, on what the owner wants to see there — a threshold, a flat surface or something else.
Photo 2 — Installing Door Casings
Installing Door Casings
Next comes the decorative finishing of the door — installing door casings on the door and concealing all possible mounting details of the door frame. Installing door casings on a door may require minor adjustments and more rigid mounting of the frame using shims — this is resolved on-site and, as a rule, does not have general recommendations.
Mounting these door elements ideally occurs at a distance of 3-5 mm from the inner edge of the wooden frame on all sides of the doors, but installing larger door casings is more important.
Attention! Familiarity with how the installation of door casings is done — video or another detailed guide for installing a specific door will tell more about it, but the logic and sequence are the same in general.
The installed casing is cut with a panel saw (i.e. at an angle of 45 degrees) taking into account the piece of casing that will be installed perpendicular to it. All casing lengths must take into account those parts of the door frame that will be hidden after the installation of casings is complete. When all casings are measured and cut, the installation process begins. Fastening is done using nails without heads (they can be trimmed with pliers or wire cutters), which should be concealed, and even better — painted or varnished.
Installing Door Locks
When the door and casings are in place, it becomes possible to install door locks. Of course, installing a lock in an iron door is very different from working with a wooden door, but the general repair, for example, with removal of the old door and installation of a new one, is carried out approximately according to the same rules, regardless of what the door leaf and frame are made of.
It is always necessary to agree on the material of the door and possibly the type of installed lock — this affects the set of tools, installation details, and accordingly, the price; however, installing door casings on a door, the price of which, as well as its installation, is included in the estimate for all installation works for the entire door, always comes as a package with the door.
Photo 3 — Installed Casings
Cost
Doors made locally and the cost of their installation can be 20-50% cheaper than well-known brands in this industry (Mario Rioli, Sofia, Rada, Volkhovets, Rus Les); however, it should be kept in mind that purchasing branded (and relatively expensive) doors may include not only installation but also gift variants of accessories and hardware. In general, prices for services and products in Moscow and Kyiv (prices are indicated in rubles and hryvnia respectively) are approximately as follows:
- cost of wooden/MDF door with a frame from 2000/1000
- price of installing a door block in a finished opening from 2000/350
- calling a specialist-estimator from 500/100