How to Shorten a Door Without Taking it Off the Hinges
When a door is installed properly there is only a fraction of an inch between it and the frame. This helps to make the tightest seal possible while the door swings freely on its hinges.
On occasion, however, the house may shift or settle and the space between the door and the frame may change so that the door will not open and shut properly. In this case you may have to remove some of the door's height so that it will function properly. If you are unable to take the door down for some reason, you can still do this with the door on its hinges.
Things You Will Need
- Carpenter's plane
- Stepladder
- Pencil
- Tarp
- Chair
- Sandpaper
Tip
Before you try this, check the hinges to see if they have come loose. Many times all you need to do is to screw your hinges in tight to help your door swing properly. Paint the top of the door to seal it against moisture and to give it a finished look. Be sure to do this if it is an external door, and it is a good idea to do it to internal doors as well.
Warning
Do not use this technique metal or fiberglass doors.
Gary Burton of Burton Lumber says that many interior doors are only solid for one inch around the edges, so don't take off more than that or you could ruin your door.
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Lay the tarp out so that the door will open over it. Open the door and make sure it moves freely over the tarp.
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Shut the door until it touches the frame. Draw a line across the top of the door where it touches the frame.
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Place the chair against the wall so that it will be between the door and the wall when you open the door. Open the door so that it is touching the chair and place the ladder against the other side of the door; this will brace the door while giving you some space to work.
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Climb the ladder until your chest is to the top of the door. Plane the top of the door down until you can no longer see the line you drew. Make sure the door shuts properly, and if it does not, plane it down until it does.
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Sand the top of the door to a smooth even finish.
The Drip Cap
- When a door is installed properly there is only a fraction of an inch between it and the frame.
- In this case you may have to remove some of the door's height so that it will function properly.
- Draw a line across the top of the door where it touches the frame.
- Place the chair against the wall so that it will be between the door and the wall when you open the door.
References
- Gary Burton; Burton Lumber; Salt Lake City, Utah
Photo Credits
- woodworking plane image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
- woodworking plane image by Christopher Dodge from Fotolia.com
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