Installing door hinges is a painless DIY process that improves your doors in functionality and style alike. With patience and the correct tools, you’ll be able to hang your doors and enjoy the seamless swing of a properly installed hinge. Whether you’re opting for door hinge replacement or installing entirely new doors, this step-by-step guide will show you how to install door hinges for a smooth process with polished results.

What Is a Door Hinge?

A door hinge is a mechanical bearing that fastens a door to its frame and provides a pivot point that allows the door to swing open and shut. Many hinges are composed of two plates attached by a pin.

Door hinges are available in a variety of styles, such as butt hinges (shown in the image above), spring hinges, and surface mount hinges. They are made from an array of materials, including brass, nickel, and bronze. Butt hinges are the most commonly used; they are made of two identical leaves that attach to the door and its frame, plus a hinge pin in the middle. Spring hinges possess a spring mechanism that automatically closes doors after they’re opened, while surface mount hinges are attached directly to the surface of the door and frame. Surface mount hinges are simpler to install yet usually more visible, which may impact the overall aesthetic of your door or room.

When purchasing door hinges, base your selection on the door’s weight and your overall home aesthetic. Heavier doors may require hinges made from sturdier materials, like steel. For lighter doors, ornamental brass hinges will infuse the room with a touch of elegance.

Tip!

Unsure which door hinges are best for your home? Check out our Types of Door Hinges guide to find the perfect fit.

Door Hinge Installation Overview

By following a few key door hinge installation steps, you'll have a properly functioning door in no time. This step-by-step guide walks you through every step of the process and ensures seamless, stylish results.

Time Required: Under 2 hours
Skill Level: Beginner
Number of People: 1-2

What You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Utility knife
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Screws
• Screwdriver or power drill
• Level
• Wood filler

Tip!

Make sure to purchase correctly-sized hinges for your door. Standard interior doors typically use 3.5-inch hinges, while heavier exterior doors often require 4-inch hinges.

How to Install Door Hinges

1. Mark Your Hinge Placement

For New Doors: To begin, mark the spots where you’ll place hinges on both the door and the frame. Doors typically possess one hinge toward the top and one hinge toward the bottom, and some heavier doors require an additional hinge in the middle. If your door exceeds 75 pounds or 7 feet, including a third hinge is a good rule of thumb.

Using a pencil and measuring tape, mark your hinge placements roughly 6 inches from the top of the door and 10 inches from the bottom. If you’re adding a third hinge, center it between the top and bottom hinges. Repeat this process (with the same measurements) on the door frame as well.

For Replacing Hinges: Ensure that your new hinges align with the current hinge placements – if they are misaligned, adjust their positioning by filling your old screw holes with wood filler, letting them dry, then marking new hinge placements.

2. Mortise Your Door & Frame

For New Doors: In order for hinges to sit flush, you’ll need to create shallow recesses, otherwise known as mortises, on both the door and frame. Hold your hinges against the markings you’ve created on the door. Then, use a pencil to trace the hinges’ outlines. Repeat this process on the door frame. Next, use a utility knife to carve along the outlines you’ve created. Then, carefully tap a hammer against your chisel to carve out the wood according to the outlines you’ve marked. This process creates your mortises, which should match the depth of your hinge leaves.

To avoid chiseling too deeply, begin by tapping your chisel very lightly, gradually working your way deeper into the mortise you’re creating until the appropriate depth has been carved. Continually place your hinge into the mortise in order to measure your progress until the hinge sits flush against the door.

For Replacing Hinges: If the size and shape of your new hinges match those of the existing hinges, mortising is not necessary. Instead, you can fasten your hinges within the current recesses of your door frame. If the new hinges are different sizes, you can expand the mortises for larger hinges, or fill and re-chisel the recesses in order for smaller hinges to properly fit.

3. Attach Your Door Hinges

For New Doors: Now that you’ve created mortises, it’s time to attach your door hinges! Using a level to ensure that your hinges are straight, place them into the mortises on the door. Pre-drill holes for your screws with a screwdriver or power drill before aligning your hinges with the hinge plates. Then, screw them in. Repeat this process for the top (and middle, if applicable) hinge.

For Replacing Hinges: Align your new hinges with the existing screw holes. If they’re misaligned, use screws slightly larger than the screw holes to attach your hinges.

4. Attach Hinges to the Door Frame

For New Doors: Now that your hinges are solidly attached to the door, secure them to the door frame. Note: It’s important to attach your door hinges from top to bottom in order to prevent the door from sagging.

Properly position the door within the frame, aligning the hinges with the mortises you’ve created along the door frame. Using a power drill or screwdriver, pre-drill holes in the door frame where the hinges will be attached before screwing your hinge plates into the mortises.

For Replacing Hinges: If the sizes of your new hinges and old screw holes match, attach the door to the frame using the existing mortises and screw holes. Otherwise, follow the steps above to adjust the mortises and reposition your screws for a tight fit.

Tip!

Having a second person to hold the door in place as you’re attaching the door hinges to the frame may be useful.

5. Test the Door Swing

Gently swing your door back and forth after door hinge installation to ensure proper function. It should swing freely without dragging on the ground.

For New Doors: If your door is misaligned after attaching it to the hinges, simply readjust your screws with a screwdriver in order to level the door. If your door rubs against the door frame, adjust the depth of your mortises, or shave a small amount of wood from your door’s edges.

For Replacing Hinges: Tweak your hinge placement if you notice your door dragging after installation. Modify hinge placement location or the depth of your mortises until your door steadily swings.

6. Finishing Touches

For New Doors: The process of installing door hinges is complete when your door is swinging properly!

For Replacing Hinges: After checking that the wood filler is dry, sand the area before applying paint to match your door and frame. Then, you’re all done!

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