How to Make a Double Doorway Smaller

Locate the hinges on the left side of the door. Unscrew the attached screws and set aside. Gently tap the bottom of the hinge pin with a hammer, until the pin slides out. Repeat the process on the bottom hinge and the hinges on the right side door.

Insert the edge of the pry bar under the door casing and apply enough pressure that the casing starts coming loose. The casing or trim surrounds the outside edges of the doors and acts as a frame. Move the pry bar to the bottom of the doorframe and pull loose the jamb. Examine the frame and remove any nails you see.

Measure the width of the doorframe as it sits. Measure the width of the new doors and subtract the difference. That amount tells you the size you need for the new, smaller doorframe. Purchase a 2-by-4-inch or 1-by-4-inch piece of lumber for each side of the frame. For example, if your new doors measure 72 inches and the frame measures 74 inches, you need a 1-by-4-inch board on each side of the frame.

Attach the new boards to the sides of the doorframe by holding each piece flat and hammering in 2-inch nails every 6 inches along the wood. Move to the other side of the door and install the second piece of wood. Hold a level flat against the wall, making sure the pieces sit flat on the frame.

Place the old door jamb on the floor and hammer back into place. Attach the casing back to the side of both doors, nailing the piece against the frame. Measure the new width of the door and compare that width against the size of the doors, ensuring that the new doors fit inside the frame.