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How to Build a Wooden Swing Door

Josh Nuttall

Installing a wooden swinging door between two rooms, like the kitchen and the dining room, adds a natural piece of beauty and character to your home. A swinging door will also allow you to separate rooms while permitting easy access from either side of the door simultaneously.

Dark-Stained Wooden Door Slab

Swinging doors can be installed anywhere, and are not extremely difficult to install, if you have a helper. A few basic tools and swinging door hardware are required.

Warning

Double-action spring hinges are spring-loaded and will pinch your fingers if given the opportunity. Use caution when installing the hinges.

  1. Finish the wooden door in the desired manner. Finishing techniques include staining, painting, two-toning, natural finishing, waxing, etc. The door should be finished and dried before it is hung.

  2. Mark the desired positions of the double-acting door hinges on the butt side of the door (the hinged side of the door is referred to as the butt side). Install the hinges with screws. If the door is heavier, add three hinges to the butt side before hanging.

  3. Stand the door up into the door frame. Place the door into the desired position and place a level next to the door to ensure the door is level. Mark the position of the hinges.

  4. Have a helper hold the door up and open while you screw the door into the door jamb with a drill. Test the door to ensure that it opens and closes freely.

The Drip Cap

  • Installing a wooden swinging door between two rooms, like the kitchen and the dining room, adds a natural piece of beauty and character to your home.
  • Swinging doors can be installed anywhere, and are not extremely difficult to install, if you have a helper.
  • Stand the door up into the door frame.
  • Have a helper hold the door up and open while you screw the door into the door jamb with a drill.