Interior Door Installation Problem?

Question

I have a pantry door that I am replacing with a new one. I planed/cut the new door to exactly what the old one was (the old door fit with no problems). I also chisled out the hinge inset exactly to the old door. When hanging the new door I tightened all of the hinges in place. The door only closes 3/4th of the way and begins to bind. The bottom hinge looks to have lots of tension and the inner lip of the door (closest to the hinges) is hitting the door jamb. I tried loosening and re-adjusting, though no fix. Though it was wierd when I loosened the middle hinge slightly and the door closes but loosing it makes the door rub on the jamb and it won't close. I even tried sanding the inner lip down but it's hitting the jamb quite a bit and more sanding will make it look bad. It appears that the door is crooked and needs to be turned slightly clockwise to fix. Any suggestions? Many Thanks!

Answer 1

You did the wise thing by correctly measuring the old door to new door. Doors are hard to get to fit perfect the first time you hang it. You just need some "tweaking" as we call it.

Your door is "hinge bound". That means the hinges are keeping the door from closing properly. Sometimes this is due to the door frame being slightly tilted in or out too much.

You have mortised the hinge pocket too deep in either the door or the frame. Experiment with loosening one side of hinge and slipping in some cardboard behind the hinge plate.

Now re-tighten screws and see if that helps. Concentrate on getting the door to at least close up to the jamg easily, then close the door up to the jamb, now mark the hinge side of the door with your pencil by letting your pencil follow the jamb as you mark a horizontal line on the door. Allow about 1/8" bevel past this pencil mark when you rip the edge of door down on this line. Sand saw marks after you rip edge of door down.

You can also put cardboard just behind the front edge of the hinge (sort of beveling the hinge) .

It's hard to explain but I think you can understand what I am saying. I know you can do this.Just take your time and get it right. The worst thing is you have to take the door off the hinges several times to get this done right.

Answer 2

Unfortunately you went around this backwards as not all two doors are alike you should have took the door measurements and cut a new door to those measurements not to the old door itself.

Your old door would have worn with age changed shape with heat and cold and your new door will do the same.

The hinges would have been more worn in comfortably on the old door.

If in doubt it is always better to get someone who is a joiner to help you and show you the ropes so next time you know.

Answer 3

Sounds like the hinges are not aligned correctly on the door. If you have three hinges on the door,which is odd for an interior door try removing the center one and see if it closes.You can also use a straight edge to check to see if the hinges are all straight.If the door closes with the middle removed I would leave it off.It is really not necessary.