Can we downsize a door to fit a smaller door frame? I want to cut a 34 to?

Question

to fit my 30 door frame. And how it could be best done? by planing? Thanks.

Answer 1

if it is a solid wood door you can, but if it is a hollow core door no you cant.

Hollow core doors use 2X2`s around the edge as a frame, if you cut 4 inches off you will be completely removing the 2X2`s and will have no door frame just a big long hole exposing the hollow core.

Answer 2

To change the width of a door you must consider the over all look. If you take it all from one side {hinge side} and it is a panel door, it will be way off centre. If you take equal amounts from both sides, you may cut into the holes from the handle{s}.

You can cut the bottom of a hollow door. After cutting it to the length you want, go inside the cut end and clean out any cardboard or other material that was used to strengthen the door {to a depth of about 2"}. Take the doorskin and any other wood off the bottom 2x2 that you cut from the door. Apply wood glue to the bottom 2x2 and re-insert into cavity. Tack it in place with a few small finish nails until the glue dries. All done.

Probably easier and more aesthetically pleasing to just buy a new door.

Answer 3

Planing would take forever..., but It depends on the type of door. If it's hollow there may not be enough material left along one or both edges after removing 4". If it's a solid door - depending on the design, I'd probably take 2" off both sides (to balance the design) with a circular saw or table saw for best results.

Measure carefully, clamp a straightedge to the door to guide the saw when you cut it. Don't try to do it freehand.You could use a hand saw to remove the bulk and then plane to finished size.

Don't forget to see where the handle and lock if any will mount as well.

Answer 4

Hollow core doors are so cheap, buy one. You will be sorry you tried to cut one down.

Answer 5

Solid core doors generally have a piece of solid wood along the edges about 1 to 1-1/2" wide, and the rest is filled with particle board.  There is another solid block where the lockset is located.  You can cut off one of the edges, but what's left will be exposed particle board, which is not only ugly, it's not the best material in which to install hinges.  Sometimes what sounds like a great deal may not be.  Good luck.