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Hanging
the Door-
Get someone to help you set the door in place. Insert the pins only
partially into the hinges. Close the door and test for ft. The door
should close easily and there should be an even seam on the top
and sides. Also, the door should not swing open or closed on its
own. Carefully level and secure the lockset side of the door jamb
in the same manner as before. Check the fit again. If the ft is
not correct, the frame is not perfectly level. Check all sides with
a level and adjust as necessary to get the correct fit. When pulling
a nail out, be sure to use blocking so that you don't damage the
door jamb. For jambs that bow or curve, move the shims to make the
shim assembly thicker or thinner, or add shims as necessary. Once
the door is perfectly level and the seam is even all the way around,
seat the hinge pins firmly. Drive the nails almost flush but do
not strike the wood.
Installing
the Lockset-
Virtually all locksets come with compete installation instructions,
including a template and tool list. Follow the manufacturer's instructions
when installing the hardware you have selected. Close the door and
check for fit. The door should be flush with the edge of the jamb
all the way around on the inside, the side to which the door swings
open. If not, move the lockset strike plate as necessary to get
a flush alignment.
Installing
the Door Stop-
With the door fitting properly, close it and draw a line for the
door stop on the jamb, along both sides and the top of the door.
Cut and nail the stop into place with 4d finishing nails. Do not
drive the nails all the way in yet. Check to see if the door fits
flush against the stop. If not, adjust as necessary. Once satisfied
with the ft, nail close but do not strike the wood.
The door
should fit evenly and open and close with no binding. If there are
problems, you can sand the door with a plane or with sandpaper.
Remember to plane with the grain. You should not need to plane much.
If so, the fit of the jamb may need adjusting.
Adding
the Door Casing (Trim)-
Finish the installation by installing casing around both sides of
the door. The edge of the casing should be offset approximately
1/8" from the edge of the jamb. For a professional-looking finish,
miter the casing in the corners. Measure and miter one side piece.
Tack it into place with a couple of 4d finishing nails. Drive the
nails in only far enough to hold the trim in place. Next measure
and cut the top piece, then the other side. Adjust the pieces as
necessary to get a good ft, then secure with 4d finishing nails
every 16". Repeat for the opposite side of the door. For exterior
doors, be sure to add weather-stripping.
Finishing
the Door-
Use two nail punches, one for 1Od and one for 4d nails, to set all
the nails slightly below the surface of the wood. For doors to be
painted, fill the holes with wood putty and paint after the putty
is dry. For doors to be stained, stain first then fill the holes
using a matching color stick.
- Sand
lightly before finishing, and between coats. Make sure the surface
is clean and dry.
- Apply
the finish as soon as the door is fitted. Make sure that the entire
door, including the top and bottom edges, receives at least two
coats of paint, varnish or sealer after the door has been fitted
and before hanging.
- Avoid
finishing too soon after a rain or damp weather, and during periods
of higher than average humidity. Allow ample time for wood to
dry before applying finish.
- Some
species of wood contain a chemical which reacts unfavorably with
certain finishes. Where possible, the surface should be tested
for such unfavorable reaction. Application of a sealer before
finishing will usually prevent this difficulty.
- Give
doors a sealer coat to prevent undue absorption of moisture before
final finishing.
- Apply
at least two coats of a good grade of oil-based mixed paint, varnish
or lacquer and follow the manufacturer's instructions care fully.
Do not use a water-thinned paint unless an oil-based prime coat
is first applied. The full beauty of wood is best emphasized by
use of stain or semi-gloss finish.
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