Things You Will Need
Pre-Cutting Steps
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Determine whether your door is solid or hollow. Hollow doors require an additional step, since the bottom may end up being cut off.
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Mark the clearance needed on the door. Allow for a 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch gap.
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Pull out the hinge pins on the door.
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Use a blanket (or other padding) to cover your cutting surface, typically a sawhorse.
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Rest the door on the sawhorses.
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Draw the cutting line on the front and edges with a pencil.
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Apply a strip of masking tape along the line to protect the finish and reduce splintering.
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Clamp a metal straightedge, such as a framing square, along the line to be cut.
Cutting and Trimming Steps
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Cut along the line with a utility knife to score the door. Cut through the tape and into the door. Make a few passes.
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Use a circular saw or hand saw. Make sure the saw blade is sharp and has at least 18 teeth.
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Remove the metal straightedge.
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Clamp a straight 1x4 or 1x6 board to the door to act as guide for the saw. Position the board so the blade will cut about 1/32-inch to the outside of the cutting line.
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Guide the saw along the board to trim down the door.
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Remove the clamp, board and masking tape.
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Hang the door. Swing it completely open and closed on its hinges. If the door still rubs against the floor, lay a pencil flat on the floor and run the tip along the face to mark a line.
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Trim below the new line.
Finishing Steps
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Sand the edge of a solid door gently with a sanding block.
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Retrieve the scrap that was cut from the bottom of a hollow door. Separate the bottom piece of the door from the panel with a utility knife.
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Coat both sides of the piece with a heavy duty wood glue. Slide the piece into the opening. Clamp the edge of the door until the glue dries.
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Hang the door and put the hinge pins back in place.