Last updated: November 2, 2026
How to Hang an Interior Door: Step-by-Step With Tolerances
Quick answer: To hang an interior door neatly, work in this order: confirm hand and finished-floor height, prepare hinge and latch locations accurately, dry-fit with even reveals, then hang and adjust before fitting final hardware. For most interior leaves, aim for a small even side and head gap of roughly 2-3 mm unless the manufacturer or fire/acoustic specification says otherwise. The bottom gap is set by flooring, threshold and ventilation needs.
Measure the opening, leaf and floor datum
Check width at head, middle and sill, height on both jambs, diagonals and whether the frame faces are twisted. Record finished-floor build-up rather than measuring from bare slab. Confirm hinge side and swing on the room plan; reversing hand after machining creates unnecessary filling and weakens screw positions. If the existing frame is badly out of square, correct or replace it instead of planing the new leaf into a wedge.
Mark hinges and hardware from one datum
Transfer hinge positions from the frame template or an existing sound door, using the same datum throughout. Rout or chisel hinge leaves flush so the closed knuckle sets the intended gap. Pre-drill hardwood and composite stiles to prevent splitting. Machining for the latch should follow the selected backset and the height in the project standard; our handle-height guide explains the finished-floor measurement that prevents mismatched pairs.
Dry-fit, hang and tune the reveal
Offer the leaf into the frame on packers at finished-floor height. Check the head gap first, then hinge and lock margins, then face flushness with the stops. Plane only the edge identified by the measurements and re-seal any cut surface, especially the bottom edge in humid rooms. Screw the top hinge fully, support the leaf, fit the remaining hinges and test the swing through its full arc. Small binding at the head is often a hinge-depth issue; lock-side rubbing may need stop adjustment rather than more planing.
Fit the latch and diagnose common faults
Mark the strike from the installed latch bolt rather than from a theoretical centreline. The door should latch without being slammed and should not spring back against seals. If it drifts open, check frame plumb and hinge screw tension. If it binds seasonally, look for unfinished edges or excessive indoor moisture. A door that drops at the lock side usually points to worn hinges, short screws or a frame fixing problem—not to a weak handle.
Batch-installation control for projects
On hotels and apartments, approve one reference opening and turn it into a measurement sheet: reveal dimensions, bottom gap, latch engagement, seal compression and closer action where fitted. Dividing installers by repeated checking tasks is faster than repairing a corridor of doors after finishes are complete. Factory-prepared leaves reduce site routing, but they do not eliminate frame setting and final tuning.
Specification checklist: what to confirm before ordering
- Finished-floor datum, structural opening and frame dimensions measured before machining.
- Leaf size, thickness, hand, swing and clearance targets frozen on the door schedule.
- Hinge template, handle height, backset and lock/hole positions stated from the same datum.
- One approved reference opening checked before repetitive installation.
- Cut edges sealed and rated-door machining kept inside the approved scope.
Related guides
- Single Leaf vs Double Leaf Doors: Sizing & Cost Comparison
- How to Install a Prehung Door: Steps, Shims & Tolerances
- Door Handle Height Standard by Country (US, UK, EU, AU)
Send the door schedule, finished-floor datum and hardware templates so hinge and lock preparations can be checked before production.
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FAQs
How much gap should be around an interior door?
A common starting point is about 2-3 mm at the head and sides for ordinary interior doors. Fire, smoke and acoustic doors must follow their tested frame and seal specification.
Should I trim the top or bottom of a door?
Only trim where the measurement shows excess and only within the manufacturer's limit. The bottom is often adjusted for flooring, but rails and labelled doors may have strict limits, and every cut edge should be sealed.
Why does my new door spring open after latching?
The leaf may be hinge-bound, seals may be over-compressed, the strike may hold the leaf off the stop, or the frame may be twisted. Diagnose the contact point before removing more timber.
