How do I begin to hang a new prehung door?

Question

The door is for a bathroom.

Answer 1

Square up the hinge side first.  Make sure it is plumb and level and then square up and shim the opposite side.

Answer 2

Wish I knew if it was an interior or exterior door ?

Exterior door:

Make sure you put frame (jamb) flush with the interior wall.

Check the rough opening (existing hole) make sure it is at least 1/2" wider than the new door/frame width, and 1/2" taller than overall height of new door plus frame.

Check what will be the hinge side of door for plumb ( straight up and down with level.

Set door/frame in place - if hinge side stud is straight install a 3" s***w through frame under the side weatherstipping. (pull weatherstrip back a little and place s***w here). This means you need to pull shipping k**b insert out and let door swing back into room. * It's nice to have someone help you hold door and frame to do this.

Check your plumb with level and go to middle of hinge side put in another s***w. * Don't tighten screws up quite yet.

Put another s***w up toward top. Now sink screws in so door will shut. Check gap along side/top of door. See if it shuts and does not hang up on threshold.Shim door on other side and under threshold as needed.

Interior door:

Check opening to make sure you have a minimum of 1/2" more on height and width than your new door/frame.

Set door in hole and shim against side 2" x4" check for plumb, drive 8d finish nail through frame just below shims.

Pull k**b shipping plug and braces swing door open.

Square up head with framing square and then install shim on k**b side of frame up at top. When frame is square, drive an 8d finish nail through frame just below shim. Shut door and shim k**b side frame to show 1/8" margin or  same margin as top all the way down. drive finish nails below shims.

*For best results insert one shim from each side right on top of each other.

Check door to see if it opens/shuts , adjust any shims that you need to, Drive another finish nail - this time drive it in frame and into center of shims. Drive other finish nails in also and set with nail set.

Cut excess shims off with utility knife

Answer 3

My best advise is to use a level to get it plumb.  I also run a 2" s***w through the top and bottom hinges into the stud, remove one of the existing screws and use the longer s***w after setting the door with shims.  I do this on both exterior and interior doors.

Begin by setting it in the opening and shim between the door jambs and the wall framing, checking for plumb with a level.